2025 Reset: Grace, Plot Twists, and Progress One Step at a Time

By Stacey Creely

Hello, my fabulous friends over 40! I hope the start to your New Year has been AMAZING….but, just in case the first week of 2025 hasn’t exactly been your best year yet, this post is for you.

If you’re anything like me, you rang in the new year with a glass of champagne, a head full of dreams and a plan to make them happen. 2025 was going to be the year. I had a vision of crushing my health and wellness goals—jumping back into Weight Watchers, meal planning like a pro, and walking into the year with unstoppable energy.

But, life had other plans. As life coach Jessica Johnson says, “Plot twist!” and boy, did I get one right off the bat. Instead of meal prepping and hitting the gym, my daughter and I got knocked down by the flu. For five days, my main goal became something as simple as getting off the couch and taking a shower.

It wasn’t the start I had envisioned. But here’s the thing about plot twists: they force us to pause, reflect, and reset. And that’s exactly what I needed. Sometimes, we’re so focused on doing that we forget the importance of simply being. That flu gave me permission to slow down, rest, and reassess.

Resetting Expectations

Life will throw curveballs. You can meticulously plan your goals, but unexpected challenges will arise. The magic happens when you give yourself permission to adjust. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as opportunities to pivot.

Here’s what I’ve learned through this experience:

1. Grace is the Greatest Gift
   Whether you’re recovering from an illness or simply having an off day, grace is essential. Give yourself permission to rest, make mistakes, and fall short of perfection. Remember, progress isn’t about giant leaps; it’s about small, consistent steps forward.

2. Focus on What You Can Do
   When life limits your options, focus on what’s possible in the moment. For me, that meant recognizing that my energy levels were low, and that was okay. Instead of forcing myself to tackle a lengthy to-do list, I focused on tiny victories like drinking enough water or making a healthy snack.

3. Celebrate the Small Wins
   There’s power in progress, no matter how small. Each step counts—whether it’s a walk around the block or setting aside five minutes for mindfulness. Don’t underestimate the value of showing up, even in the smallest ways.

Progress Over Perfection

The concept of a “perfect” start to the year is a myth. It sets us up for a start to the New Year with unrealistic expectations, rather than a mindset to make positive changes, no matter how small. Life isn’t a straight path; it’s filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. The key is to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

Here’s how you can embrace your own 2025 reset:

• Start Small: You don’t have to do everything at once. Choose one goal to focus on today.

• Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.

• Keep Showing Up: No matter how slow the progress feels, showing up is a victory in itself.

Finding Silver Linings

While I wouldn’t have chosen to start my year with the flu, it gave me something invaluable—a forced reset. It reminded me that I don’t have to tackle everything at once. Progress is made in small, intentional steps, with plenty of grace along the way.

So, if your 2025 hasn’t started the way you envisioned, take heart. Your reset doesn’t have to be perfect. You just need to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Let’s give ourselves grace to stumble, courage to keep going, and the belief that even through plot twists, we’re capable of amazing things.

Here’s to a year of progress, resilience, and finding joy in the journey.

What’s your 2025 reset story? I’d love to hear how you’re navigating life’s plot twists. Let’s inspire each other to keep moving forward. 💜