Future-Proof Your Happiness in 2025
Entering the new year pushes people into resolutions that may not matter (or succeed). So, how do we ensure that 2025 can and will be happy?
I'm just like you – drawn to the allure of health-related and success-related resolutions. Each January, for about the last 30 of them, I have aspired to be a healthier and more successful me "this year." I will exercise more, achieve more, or aim for new things to value in my life. They all had various degrees of failure and success.
A few years ago, my life changed dramatically by choice and even more by chance. With these changes came the change of dreams or aspirations, either going sideways or being left behind for another day. I decided to do something different for my future years ahead:
Stop setting myself up for failure.
Stop setting expectations that do not fulfill my purpose.
Stop trading time for money.
Stop spending time in places or with people who do not have my best interests at heart.
I decided to:
Start spending time (over money). I will set my time, assess it, regard it, and reflect on it, knowing that time is the most valuable asset in life.
I will start prioritizing time with those I love and those with my best interests, support my purpose, and lift my life in a positive direction.
Start taking action daily, including any and all small actions related to #1 and #2.
If you are not sure where or how to start prioritizing time, try these:
set boundaries (aka saying “no” to things that do not align with your values)
embrace minimalism (fewer things = reduced mental and physical clutter)
outsource (seriously, outsource a few things like cleaning or work tasks)
practice mindfulness (find time for reflecting and calm)
focus on relationships (family, friends, networks, volunteer, real-life social settings and experiences)
During the first weeks of January, I reflect on what transpired last year and what (and who) had a positive impact. There is always more reflection than I realize as I scroll through the photos on my phone.
Some of the 2024 year's list included trips with friends, trips with family, friend connections and meet-ups, new business ventures and personal ventures, nature activities and local events, concerts and dinners, and lots and lots of quality time with family. I then schedule time for more of these activities and these people. I set a reminder to schedule time monthly. I block time to research travel destinations and book flights; I text friends and make dates to get my social calendar going. By doing this, I am future-proofing my happiness by planning things I know will feed it.
This is just one idea to help future-proof 2025. I researched more ideas and discovered a few other gems about resolutions and happiness:
Dan Harris hosts the "10% Happier" podcast and is a meditation expert. When trying to lock in a new habit, he tries to understand the "why" behind his goal. When a new desired habit has meaning, the outcome is often more successful.
Oliver Burkeman, the author of Meditation for Mortals, says resolutions can sometimes make people feel worse, not better. We put pressure on ourselves to make the resolution massively impactful and perfect. He says it's more valuable to do something badly than to have the pressure of perfection.
Side note: I love this one! The motto "done is better than perfect" works well for many things. And let me tell you, this mindset is infinitely liberating!!
Chris Bennett, Nike Running's global head coach, suggests doubling down on the healthy habits you already have and celebrating them. Try not to take these current healthy habits for granted.
2025 is a year to embrace happiness with or without transformation. Whether you resolve to do something different or continue what's already working, the current you is just fine.
Remember that your happiness is not future-proofed with a resolution but instead is future-proofed with the life you already love, so continue to plan more time for this happiness.