Happy New Year everyone!
I’ve always loved the beginning of a new year. A way to remember where I want to go, or to take it easy after a heavy year. For my part, after a year of a lot of wedding talk (you can read about the wedding here), I’m happy to start living and doing all the things I love while staying more focused.
For the past 4 years I have taken a different approach when setting goals. One with a little more intention that will lead me to the life I want. At least this is what I’m hoping for. It’s important to mention that the lists I make aren’t rigid plans but rather guides for when I feel lost. I’m the type of person that likes to learn new things and do it all at the same time. So this helps me to be more intentional and be able to pick and choose. And with luck and perseverance some things become habits and don’t need to be on a list anymore.
One of my main intentions is to be more present on Life with Brenda, which means you can expect a blog post from me every month this year (hold me accountable, okay?). To kick things off, I thought I’d share my intentions for 2025.
Here’s what I’m focusing on this year:
- Enjoy Amsterdam to the fullest. Although I have been living in Amsterdam for almost 3 years, I feel like many other projects and work have taken priority over exploring this vibrant city. Amsterdam has so much to offer and I want to soak it all in before it’s too late. New brunch places, restaurants, cultural events are waiting for me. Maybe this would be the topic of a nice blog post article too.
- Enroll in a Zumba or dance class. If you know me, you know I love dancing. And since Tom and I took some classes for our wedding dance, I realised how much I have missed it, so I want to make it a regular part of my life this year. It’s time to stop procrastinating and just sign up! Plus, what better way to stay fit while having fun?
- Write one blog post a month. Since the wedding, my creativity came back and I love it. But instead of going all over the place with it, I decided on one thing to focus on. As I mentioned earlier, I want to reconnect with my blog. Writing brings me so much peace and joy and I want to share more stories, thoughts, and adventures with all of you.
- Reading 12 Books (or More!). I have kept adding this goal to my lists. I have stopped reading for so many years and when I decided to start reading again I noticed how much I missed it. So for the past 3 years, I have been trying to read every year more. My aim is to read at least one book a month—be it fiction, self-development, or something completely new. Got any recommendations? Drop them in the comments!
- Saving Money and thinking long-term. This year, I want to get serious about my finances. Although I have always saved money and kept track of my expenses. Saving more and exploring long-term investment opportunities will help set me up for the future. It’s a little daunting, but I’m excited to learn and grow in this area.
- Monthly Dates with Tom. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let quality time with loved ones slip through the cracks. That’s why I’ve set a goal to have at least one dedicated date with Tom every month. We have decided to do it every 14th of the month to remember also our civil wedding date. Whether it’s a dinner out, a cozy movie night, or exploring something new together, it’s all about making time for us. If you have a nice date idea, please share!
- Go to Canada to visit my sister Christina. My sister and her husband Michael, have decided to move to Canada for a year. It’s going to be the first time we will be far away from each other and my other sister Jessica. So I hope to go visit her and see how she fulfills her dream!
I do have 2 other goals, but those are time-sensitive and dependent on things I cannot control that I prefer to go with the flow for those 2. And some projects are meant to be worked on in secret. What about you? Have you set any goals for the year? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re working toward in 2025!
With Love,
Brenda
Life with Brenda 