Begin again: A gentle, satisfying start to 2025?

Get back into bed and start the year slowly and comfortably with a big mug of tea.

Since my Substack began, I’ve used the first of the month as an invitation for us to begin again.

And let’s be honest, the start of a new year feels like one big, glittery, fat invite to “start over.”

It’s the hope we cling to—that this year will be the year where everything changes, where we finally stick to the goals, and all our loose ends magically tie themselves up into a bow—or is that just me?

But this year, I’m flipping the script. Instead of rushing into resolutions or setting a million goals, I’m going to hunker down.

January isn’t a sprint—it’s a slow, sleepy stretch.

It’s a time to pause, reflect, and recharge. Let’s take our cues from nature. The animals are hibernating, the trees are conserving their energy—what if we did too?

What if January was about laying the groundwork? Stillness creates space—space for ideas, clarity, and the energy we’ll need for whatever 2025 throws at us.

So, instead of starting fast, let’s start steady.

Brew the tea, grab the blanket, and let the world turn without you for a while.

What if the best way to begin again is to do nothing at all?

Let’s embrace the hibernation and see what emerges when the world thaws.

Heart Leap: Writing, Growth, and a Shift Toward Satisfaction

Heart Leap is a space where writers and dreamers come together with a side of self-development. As an ex-editor of Psychologies magazine, I’ve always been drawn to themes of growth, self-improvement, and the endless possibilities of “becoming.”

But this year, I’m ready for a change.

Instead of chasing “better,” I want to embrace satisfying—a word that feels full, grounded, and just enough. It’s not about reaching for the next goal but about appreciating the richness of where I am.

This year for me, it’s less about improvement and more about acceptance. I want to lean into what already exists, to go deeper rather than further, and to savour the small wins rather than constantly hunting for the big ones.

I want to continue to write and finish my novel, write my substack and connect with my lovely community here, and hunker down in my little house in Alnwick and write, write and write some more.

For this Heart Leap community, that means creating a space that celebrates depth over speed, curiosity over perfection, and connection over competition. Whether you’re here to write, reflect, or simply grow at your own pace, Heart Leap is a gentle space where you can hopefully feel gently inspired.

Here’s to a year of writing, dreaming, and finding what truly satisfies.

What’s your word for the year?

[If you want to join our kind, creative community and our twice weekly writing hours on a Tuesday and a Thursday 9-10am with a monthly masterclass, do become a paid subscriber—we start 7th January 2025.]

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash