[Transform your calendar from a scheduling tool into a sacred space for self-discovery. Learn how to set goals that honor your time, nurture your dreams, and create lasting habits during the gentle transition into the new year.]
There’s a particular kind of magic in the gentle space when the holiday lights still twinkle, but the celebrations are mostly complete.
It’s that soft space between December’s festivities and January’s new beginnings- a collective pause – the whole world taking a deep, cleansing breath. The streets are a little quieter, the mornings a little slower. Even the air feels different…
It’s as if the universe itself is offering us a quiet pocket of time – a built-in pause for reflection.
The trees bare against winter skies, and the earth rests beneath the frost, we, too, are invited to rest in this in-between space. A perfect for dreaming, gentle planning, and listening to the quiet voice within that often gets drowned out by the noise of everyday life.
Think of it as the world’s collective yawn – that delicious stretch between sleep and wakefulness, where anything feels possible.
[Disclaimer: The information shared is from personal experiences and/or research. We’re not medical professionals. We share in hopes that it will help you tap into new insights and inspire you. Everything shared is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a trusted health professional for your unique journey.]
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How To Plan For Your New Year
Most of us begin each year with the best intentions to prioritize ourselves, yet somehow those promises start to slip away as early as a few days into the New Year.
We find ourselves saying “yes” when we mean “no,” watching our personal time evaporate.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – but this year can be different.
This is when the following practice becomes most powerful…
New Year Goal Setting Prompts
Step 1: Vision First, Details Later
Find a quiet moment and a fresh piece of paper. This is your space to dream without limits.
Explore the following prompts:
- How do I want to feel when I wake up each morning?
- What are the moments that make me lose track of time?
- What are the activities that leave me feeling energized rather than drained?
- What are goals that make my heart beat faster?
- What are the small daily joys I wish I had more time for?
Don’t censor yourself. Let your vision flow freely – from the practical to the wildly ambitious.
Step 2: Where Structure Meets Soul
On a new piece of paper, create your ideal week:
First, map out your true non-negotiables. Be ruthlessly honest here – what actually can’t move? Work hours, school pickups, essential commitments
Next, look back at your vision. What daily or weekly practices would help bring that vision to life?
- Maybe it’s:
- A morning meditation before the rest of the house wakes up
- A midweek art class that feeds your creativity
- Regular movement that energizes your body
- Quiet evening ritual with space for reading or journaling
- Weekly nature walks that ground you
Step 3: From Paper to Practice
Now comes the concrete step of transferring this framework into your actual calendar:
- Choose your preferred system (digital or physical)
- Block out your non-negotiables first
- Create recurring appointments for your personal practices
- Include buffer time between activities – life needs breathing room
- Color code different types of activities to create visual harmony and clarity
Step 4: The Heart of the Matter – Keeping Your Promises to Yourself
This is where transformation truly begins. Each calendar block represents more than just time – it’s a promise to yourself, an act of self-respect, a step toward becoming your own best friend.
When the moment comes to honor these dates with yourself:
- Treat them with the same respect you’d give to an important meeting or appointment
- Remember that showing up for yourself enables you to show up more fully for others
- Celebrate small wins – every time you keep a self care date, you’re strengthening your relationship with yourself
- If you miss a self care date – no judgment, only compassion. And simply come back to your practice the next day
Your calendar can become more than a schedule – it can be a visual representation of your commitment to living a life that feels true to you. Each block of time you set aside for yourself is an act of courage, a reminder that your well-being matters, and a step toward embodying your vision for your life
As you honor these appointments with yourself, you’re not just managing time – you’re cultivating a deeper relationship with your own needs, dreams, and wellbeing.
Ready to honor your needs ALL year long?
Join us inside Vibrant Mom Life, a transformational coaching program that helps you step out of the hustle and come home to yourself.
I can’t wait to welcome you inside!
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I’m Catherine Wilde homeschool mama, yoga & meditation teacher, best selling author, and intuitive life coach. I believe you can feel calm and find your unshakable confidence as a mom, when you first care for yourself.
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