2025 Ins + Outs

A personal list of everything I set out to do for the New Year.

My favorite time of the year — the start of something new. A turned leaf. More opportunities. The closeout of a great chapter. Cheers to 2024, here’s to 2025.

New Years Vibes with my sissy Katie.

I love lists — I’ve said this before. Curating run-on lists without an Oxford comma or explanation is my love language; an art form we humans should relish more.

I set goals every single year. I sit in a hot bath with bubbles (both in the bath and in a glass), and word vomit the first things that come to mind. Different facets of life require varying degrees of intensity — family goals, for me, are about intentionality and slow living, while my career goals are driven by ambition and passion. The balance has to be there. And I’m super specific with anything financial (you have to be specific; otherwise, you’re just throwing thoughts into the void).

In 2024, I did a lot. I had a baby and spent plenty on renovating the exterior of our home (stucco, gates, fresh paint, and upgraded furniture items). I navigated first-time motherhood while working full-time without a nanny. My best friend got married, and we took our first road trip as a family of 3. I didn’t have any nervous breakdowns (!). And I kept my goal of consistently posting to this sweet newsletter of mine, which has been so fulfilling despite how busy I’ve been.

This year felt slow and fast all at once: a culmination of good things finally coming to a head. It’s wild to think that back in January, I was barely entering my third trimester of pregnancy, and now here I am, sipping coffee in my beautiful home with a nine-month-old who’s ready to walk, all while buying tickets to Cabo for my sister’s wedding next month.

Crazy, crazy, crazy. You think life moves slowly until a camera-roll memory from 365 days ago pops up, and you see the difference in smile wrinkles.

In 2024, I became her mom. My greatest gift.

For 2025, My Word Is “Invest”

Investing in my creative interests again— spending less cash on home renovations and more on camera gear, travel, and hobbies. I’m out of the newborn funk and know how to travel with a baby, change her dirty diapers, and calm her crying spells. Things aren’t so scary anymore. We can get back to more travel outings, more date nights, and more time away (I’m still not ready for an overnight trip without her, but baby steps).

2024 was all about fulfillment and opening a new life chapter. 2025 is about taking those lessons and leveling up — investing back in our identity capital, our finances, our travels (god, I miss traveling!), and ourselves. We’re channeling our old college-free spirits as 30-year-old sophisticated adults. We have a baby, we have more money, we have each other. We’re manifesting more creative pursuits, more time outside, and more connections.

Aim for 75%

At Moment, our team has a popular strategy during our bi-annual offsites: we set goals to achieve at least 75% of them. If we exceed 75%, it might mean that our goals were too easy, but falling below this threshold requires us to evaluate why we didn't meet them and what aspects made the goals too challenging.

In 2024, I admittedly only achieved about 65% of the goals I laid out, but that’s still pretty damn good. Given the fact I had my first baby and “life” often in the way of daily plans, 65% is more than I could have asked for. I kicked my ass while staying present and keeping my eye on the prize. I’m proud of myself, okay!

My vision board at girl’s vision board night: nature, connection, love, turning 30, more creativity, and more offline time.

2025 Goals:

Below is my personal list, and one to help you jumpstart yours if you haven’t already. It’s fun, I promise. Dream big, and don’t get intimidated. Certain specifics or numbers are hidden for privacy, but you get the point!

Motherhood

• Host 1st Bday Party to Reyna

• Teach Reyna Sign Language

• Take Reyna Tent Camping

• Take Reyna International

• Mommy + Me Dates 1x a Month

Marriage

• Be On His Team

• Write More Love Notes

• Date Night 1x a Month

• More Physical Touch (His Love Language)

Money

• Invest to 401K - $X

• Invest in Roth IRA - $X

• Invest to Individual Account - $X

• Pay Truck Loan Down to $X

• Less Than 10% Credit Usage

• Set Up a Family Trust

House

• Work On Kitchen

• Work On Doors / Trim

• Work on Shed / Backyard Organizing

• Work on Killer Garden Areas

Travel

• Travel to Mexico

• Road Trip to Ranchlands

• Plan / Buy Tickets to Spain & Morocco

• Wisconsin Family Summer

• East Coast Fall Trip

Career

• Start Off the Year with a Rebrand! (More on this coming soon!)

• Work with More Camera Brands Directly @ Moment

• Create Monthly Self-Assignments

• Get to X Subscribers for The Sunporch

• More Weddings

• Get Recognized By Big Brands

• Invest In Upgraded Camera Gear

• More Bylines w/ 2-3 Publications

Personal

• More Yoga!

• Practice Gratitude

• Remember Your Goals!

• Apple Cider Vinegar 1x a Day

Pins for 2025 :)

My 2025 Ins + Outs

If you’re into less rigid goals or just like to remind yourself of the smaller, more hyper-specific to-dos throughout the year, the Ins and Outs lists are a perfect middle ground. Here’s some of mine:

Ins

• Drinking more water

• Home cooked meals

• Sophistication

• Non-fiction books on fun topics

• Naps in the sun

• Being so fully, wholeheartedly me

• Self-assignments

• Localism

• Work days at coffee shops

• Cute cocktail glasses

• Backyard soirees!

Outs

• Being chronically online

• Thinking of “what-ifs”

• Embarrassment

• Small-thinking

• Beating around the bush

• Martyrdom

• Comparing myself to people in different categories

• Fascism

• Being cold

• “Full-price”

• Mom guilt