How 2025 can be GREAT.

City of London

Ah, the start of a new year—like opening a fresh notebook where anything is possible or receiving a few rands from SARS saying 'Thank you for not evading tax this year.' Seriously though, a new year is an exciting prospect and something to look forward to for me. What I realize, however is that for some it's either just another year or it's a mountain infront of them without the excitement of a countdown party on a rooftop somewhere.

This year, I’m not chasing perfection or wildly unattainable goals. Instead, I’m taking five simple lessons that I learned throughout 2024, each one a little nudge toward living a happier, kinder, 'lighter' life.

Be More Grateful

There’s magic in noticing the good stuff. Whether it’s the perfect sunrise or the smell of coffee in the morning, gratitude turns ordinary moments into tiny celebrations. We need more celebrations. I noticed people who say 'Thank you' are just generally better people, they also get to experience life a bit more genuinely. What's more, is that gratefulness acts as a natural 'pause' moment in life. We rush through life from one point to the next, but what if we get to pause every now and then, take it what's around us and then move forward.

Rita and I walk like supersonic jets in a mall, every now and then, however, we remind ourselves to purposefully walk slower. This makes you feel less rushed, and then you automatically notice more things around you. Try it, it helps!

Eat Good Food

Life’s too short for mediocre meals. I’m leaning into food that nourishes the body and sparks joy - think ripe mangoes, home-cooked dinners, and the occasional slice of chocolate cake. But then think even bigger and better and tastier. I want to cook Moroccan dishes with flavour that makes you tear up, I want to eat spicy food and not have a mini heart panic attack and order milk. Although I firmly believe in nutritious food and living healthy, I still want to light my puddings on fire like in a cooking show and I want to bake cakes that look like Crocs. Life is too short for bad food or bad coffee, and if it's bad, throw it out or change it. I used to feel bad and eat through non-tasty food...but this year, I am pursuing great tasting food...and better tasting coffee.

Love More People Around Me

Love isn’t just for special occasions. It’s in the daily texts, shared laughter, and being truly present for the people who matter most. A life changing chat between Trevor Noah and Simon Sinek really made me aware of being more intentional with my friendships and reaching out more. People make up our lives and in the new year I want to appreciate the people in my life more. If you feel the need to WhatsApp someone, do it. Say yes to the quick coffee and the video call or even the gym session.

Spending time with people that love you and who you love back is never time wasted.

Be Kind to All

Kindness costs nothing but means everything. Whether it’s a smile at a stranger or patience in a traffic jam (this one is going to be hard, I know), I’m embracing kindness as my superpower. I realized the people I look up to the most are kind to everyone; waiters, staff, their family and people who they don't 'need' to be nice to. Kindness is a crazy currency that let's you get more when you give more, but more on that in this post: The Science of Giving More . The Point is, be kind...and watch it grow.

Give Back in 2025

Giving isn’t about how much but how often. I’m finding ways this year to share time, skills, or just a helping hand to make my world brighter. As in the previous point, giving makes you feel so much lighter...and also makes you want to give more. It's about spending the 2 minutes extra to listen to someone's story, or giving a generous tip to a waiter. In the new year, I believe that giving will be the most liberating act to do that will set us up for 'Great' in ways we didn't expect. Spend 2025 giving back.

If you are still going through your lessons learnt in 2024 or planning ahead for the year, take a moment to raise a glass with me: 🍾

Here’s to making 2025 not just great but meaningful. Cheers to the new lessons, the people, and all the good food along the way!

TF