Have you picked a theme for the year?

Here we are. It’s a new year. I’ve got to be honest: I think the whole new years’ resolution thing is overdone. There’s really nothing special about the calendar. There is no magic in the new year, no perfect time to set new goals, to set your intentions.

In reality, the right time to reflect and refocus is whenever you are moved to do so.

All that aside, it IS true that lots of people set intentions, new goals, and reflect on what they have accomplished at the turn of the year. So we end up surrounded by prompts to think about these things. In that sense, it does end up being a good time to reflect, because it’s top of mind. And sometimes someone’s prompt hits you just the right way.

One of my LinkedIn connections posted last week about her habit of selecting a “theme” for the year.

At the end of the post, she prompted readers to share their theme. I decided to play along and I picked the first theme that came to my mind: “health.” I’ve been thinking about it and I think it works, because it anchors some things I have been struggling with and the things I would like to shift in the coming year.

My theme of health encompasses the obvious – physical and mental health – but it also includes health of workplace relationships, personal relationships, and financial health and stability.

2024 was a year of major transition for me personally and professionally. That transition resulted in a feeling of instability that made it clear just how much I value stability. Besides the obvious transition of starting a business and writing a book, I am also at the age where my body is behaving in ways it never has before – none of which are welcome. (If you know, you know.)

So for 2025, the theme of health is one that truly resonates. It’s not something I’m going to plan out in detail, inevitably fall short ,and give up in 2 weeks or 2 months. It’s simply going to be something I consider as I make decisions about how to spend my time. “Is this contributing to my theme of health?” Is it supporting my physical health? My mental health? Contributing to healthy personal and professional relationships? If not, I won’t berate myself, but I will consider a shift.

Where do you fall on this issue? Do you set resolutions? Did you do the TikTok In/Out trend this year? Or can I challenge you to pick a theme and see where it takes you? Share your thoughts below!

If this is not the right time for you, that’s ok. Remember, there’s nothing magical about this time. If you want to do this exercise on March 12, or April 27, your birthday, or July 4… do it when it works for you.

No rules. You do you.