2025, Flirty, and Thriving.

A more realistic vision for the year in new motherhood

I’ve been seeing all of these 2025 mood boards, visions, and (hilarious) “in vs. out” lists fluttering around on my feed. They’re delightful and whimsical and reading them makes me feel like anything is possible for the year ahead. The element I struggle with in these posts, however, is that they don’t feel at all compatible with my disheveled life. I love the aspiration of fresh cut flowers and a latte and journaling with pristine, manicured nails - I really do - but for all of that to align, I’d be experiencing some sort of mania or miracle.

Photo by Toa Heftiba

The reality we’re living in over here looks more like a dining room table littered with unopened mail, toddler art, and old Christmas decorations. Though, not to discredit our efforts, I will say the coffee here is hot and good, and there is a bouquet of yellow Costco carnations on the counter at the minute (never mind that they’re dead.)

The mess is equal parts magic and frustrating. That’s just the season of life we’re in with a new baby and a toddler.

So, in an effort to dream up a scheme for 2025 that’s both beautiful and achievable, here’s my attempt at curating a more *realistic* 2025 vibe. Don’t worry, I didn’t write out the truly mundane, like “do your taxes.” Here’s hoping some of this stuff actually sticks. Maybe it will even inspire you other moms / overwhelmed humans to romanticize and dream within the beautiful raw edges of your own lives.

2025 is for:

Soft, rosy, plump cheeks,

Toothless smiles and budding personalities,

High quality leather, textile, and skincare,

Good Bread - and carbs, generally,

Walks to the bakery,

Walks around the lake with coffee,

Walks at the nature center with big sticks,

The willpower to say “no” to buying unnecessary shit,

The tenacity to use the same pricey water bottle as last year,

Crafting and making from scratch,

Appreciating daycare and daycare workers,

Being outside without agenda,

A piece of chocolate after dinner,

Red white wine and conversation,

Reading a book or two, besides the bedtime stories -

Photo by Robyn Budlender

Committing to work you love,

Letting go of the unrelenting urge to please everyone around you - shake that s**t off -

Getting over your ego and asking for help,

Repainting the stairway so it’s not splotchy anymore,

Saving money to pay for the basement waterproofing,

Saving money to go abroad,

Spreading your wings and embracing chaotic family adventure,

Keeping the house clean (not necessarily tidy),

Ordering takeout when you’ve had a long week,

Writing letters to those you love,

Sitting next to the happy light on dreary mornings,

Singing and dancing with babies,

Blowing bubbles just to watch them pop,

Tasty afternoon diet cokes and sour gummies,

Photo by bady abbas

Jeans that fit,

Comfortable shoes and cute earrings,

Objective news,

Resistance and hope,

Community with a big C

community - little c,

Cheers to your 2025,

Lucy