Why It’s Okay to Not Have a Plan for 2025 Yet

Oh my word! Can all those “Plan your whole life in a week” ads just calm down already?

It’s barely the first week of January—kind of—and I’m still in full-on hibernation mode. Anyone else?

This past Christmas was a lot. My parents were in the hospital with operations and pneumonia (they’re okay now, thankfully). My husband caught that virus going around and was so feverish he told the paramedics his childhood address instead of ours during a 111 call. Oh, and the cherry on top? We all got sick at the same time. Add to that the whirlwind of shopping for Christmas and Chanukah, and honestly, I need a holiday to recover from the holiday.

If your new year has started anything like mine, you might also be wondering how anyone has the energy to dive headfirst into planning 2025. And you know what? That’s totally fine. You don’t need to have it all figured out right now.

The Pressure of January Planning

There’s so much pressure to use January as this hyper-productive launchpad. The “hit the ground running” mentality can make you feel like you’re already behind before the year’s even properly started. Of course, planning ahead has its benefits, but let’s not forget: a slower, steadier start often wins the race.

Even though I’ve shared Success Planners with the Inside Stylists Community before, I always remind people that these tools are there for when they’re ready. Some of the community like to jump into planning during Twixtmas, some on January 1st, and others, like me, prefer to ease into the year at their own pace.

The Big Benefits of a Slower Start

1. Avoiding the Rush

I don’t rush into big plans immediately. First, I need my house back to myself to have any real thinking time. There’s no such thing as “thinking time” over the Christmas break!

Instead, I let myself reset. Long dog walks, scribbling lists in coffee shops (with a pastry or lemon muffin, of course), or an indulgent Epsom salt bath with a Netflix film—these moments clear my head and make space for creativity.

2. Reflecting on What Mattered

Reflection is so underrated. By the time December rolls around, I’ve usually forgotten half the shoots I styled or the trips I took earlier in the year. I go through my calendar and photos to remind myself of the highs (and lows).

For example, last year my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a weekend at The Pig in Devon. I’d wanted to go for years, and it didn’t disappoint. Looking back at those photos reminded me how inspired I felt by the interiors. It also brought back memories of being so overwhelmed with gratitude on that trip that I burst into tears on entering the breakfast dining room. I had it all to myself and it was beautiful.

Memories like these often plant the seeds for new ideas. Reflecting helps me remember what moved me, what I want to carry forward, and what I don’t want to repeat (like working with that one difficult client or booking back-to-back shoots during the summer holidays).

3. Avoiding Overwhelm

Overwhelm is the creative’s kryptonite. Looking back, I realise I said “yes” to too many personal commitments last year. This year, I’m learning to say “no” more often.

Easing into the year allows me to set boundaries and priorities with clarity, instead of letting busyness dictate my choices.

Why Waiting Until You’re Ready Works

How often do you put yourself first? For many of us, the answer is “almost never.” Between partners, kids, pets, parents, and work, we’re usually at the bottom of our own priority lists.

But giving yourself the time to plan when you’re mentally and emotionally ready is a game-changer. It allows you to focus on your goals and dreams—the ones that actually matter to you.

When you wait until you’re ready, you create sustainable momentum. Instead of starting with a short-lived burst of energy that fizzles out, you build a steady rhythm that carries you through the year.

Tips for Starting Slow

If you’re ready to embrace a slower start, here are a few tips:

• Treat January as a month of reflection. It’s often a quieter time for stylists, so use it to think, not hustle.
• Keep a notebook handy. Jot down ideas as they come—places to visit, galleries to see, or people to reconnect with. Look for the inspiration.
• Mind-map without pressure. Don’t worry about structure. Just get your thoughts onto paper and let the creative process flow.
• Start small. If you’re itching to get moving, plan something low-stakes, like a simple social media strategy or a wishlist of dream clients.

Over to You

So, what do you think? Have I convinced you that it’s okay to start your 2025 planning when you’re ready? Maybe you’re staying in the slow lane for a little while longer, and that’s perfectly fine.

Let me know how you’re easing into the year. Are you reflecting, journaling, or simply taking a breather? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear how you’re making space for yourself this January.