All the influencer girlies have assembled on Instagram to post about what they’re leaving in 2025, so I thought I’d hop on the trend too. It made me pause and actually reflect on what I don’t want to carry into 2026, so this isn’t just about trends, it’s about intentions. 
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Things I am leaving in 2025
Saying yes out of guilt
- I HATE being a people pleaser, so I’m aiming to unlearn that bad habit.
Overexplaining
- I don’t owe everyone a detailed explanation of my boundaries and choices.
Productivity and guilt
- I don’t need to work to deserve a break; resting is allowed.
Calling burnout “discipline”
- Consistency shouldn’t come at the cost of my health.
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What I’m taking into the New Year
Consistency > Perfection
- Showing up imperfectly matters more than doing nothing at all.
Self-love
- Why hate the only person you can truly rely on?
Stepping outside my comfort zone
- Growth happens when you’re uncomfortable.
Allowing slow progress
- There’s no point in rushing things, especially if it won’t even help.
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How to make your own list?
Step 1: What drained you?
What did you keep doing out of habit, not choice, that made you feel tired, guilty, or resentful?
Step 2: Noticing patterns
One bad day ≠ a habit
Step 3: Keep it specific
For example- overthinking; what kind of overthinking, what topics? Or negativity; from where?
Step 4: Balance
For every “out”, ask yourself what replaces it.
If your list feels honest and vulnerable; you’re doing it right.
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This is NOT a rulebook
It is crucial to understand that these aren’t rules you need to follow to live the year “correctly”. It’s just checkpoints; a way to be more intentional with your actions and realising what you need to let go of.
You’re allowed to change your mind, fail, or even rewrite your list mid-year. Just remember that the bullets on your list were written with thought behind them.
You don’t need to have everything all figured out. This list isn’t about drastically changing yourself, but rather about letting go of things that no longer fit you. Everyone has their own “do’s and don’ts” list. What’s yours?
