2025: Dream, Design, and (Do) Live Your Best Year Yet (includes interactive workbook!)
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the quiet magic of this two week period … between two years. There’s something truly special about this time—the way we’re invited to pause, look back at where we’ve been and dream about what’s possible. It’s not about a fresh start or a clean slate (because life is rarely that tidy) but about stepping into the new year with intention, clarity, and a little courage.
For years, I’ve had a personal tradition during this time: I grab my favorite pen, put on some calming music, and spend a few hours reflecting on the past year while dreaming about the next. What worked? What didn’t? What am I proud of? What do I need to release? It’s a process that grounds me and reminds me that my life is something I can actively design—messy edges and all.
This year, I decided to share that process with you. I created 2025: Dream, Design, and (Do) Live Your Best Year Yet, a workbook filled with all the questions, tools, and prompts I use to reflect, reset, and set my course for the year ahead. It’s my way of inviting you into this tradition with me; we all deserve a moment to pause and realign with what truly matters.
Why Reflection Matters
Reflection is powerful. It’s not just looking back for the sake of nostalgia—it’s about unlocking clarity, understanding our patterns, and rediscovering our values. By pausing to reflect, you create the space to design a future that feels authentic to who you are and where you’re headed.
I think about it like this: When you don’t take the time to reflect, life has a way of happening to you. But when you pause, even briefly, to assess where you’ve been and where you want to go, life starts happening for you. That’s where growth begins.
What This Workbook Offers
The workbook is a gentle guide designed to meet you wherever you are right now. Inside, you’ll find:
Reflection Prompts: Questions to help you unpack the lessons, wins, and challenges of 2024. What did you learn? What are you proud of? What do you want to leave behind?
Mind Mapping Exercises: Creative tools to untangle your thoughts and uncover recurring themes, desires, and possibilities.
Intention-Setting Practices: Exercises to align your actions with your values, magnify your strengths, and set the tone for the year ahead.
Goal-Setting Tools: Practical steps to turn your dreams into actionable, achievable goals across all areas of your life—from work to relationships, health to play.
How to Use It
This workbook isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. You don’t have to do it all at once or answer every question in order. Take it piece by piece, or skip to the sections that resonate most with you. The point is to create space for yourself, however that looks.
Here’s how I like to approach it:
Find Your Space: Carve out an hour or two. Light a candle. Pour your favorite drink. Turn off your phone. (Or keep it on if you're journaling to a lo-fi playlist… do what works for you!)
Start Small: Begin with just one section—maybe reflecting on your proudest moments or your victories from 2024. Celebrate the good.
Dream Big: Let yourself explore what’s possible for 2025. Imagine it as your best year yet. What would that look like? How would it feel?
Check In Regularly: Don’t let your reflections sit in a drawer. Schedule quarterly check-ins to revisit your goals and intentions (yes, add calendar entries now so they’re pre-scheduled meetings with yourself).
I tend to dedicate a few hours across multiple days to do these exercises.
A Personal Note From Me
This workbook is my way of sharing something deeply personal—a practice that’s helped me find clarity and courage, even during chaos.
Be kind to yourself as you move through it. Celebrate your successes, honor your challenges’ lessons, and permit yourself to dream boldly. Remember, it’s not about creating a perfect year; it’s about designing something meaningful for you.
The future is yours to create, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, purpose, and joy.
Download the Workbook
Click below to grab your copy of 2025: Dream, Design, and (Do) Live Your Best Year Yet.
Print it out, scribble all over it, and make it yours.
Download the 2025 Workbook PDF (No cost! This is a gift to share.)
Here’s to dreaming, designing, and (most importantly) doing!
With gratitude,
Iliana