2025: Year Reflections on Strength & Resilience

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve naturally been thinking a lot about this year.

In astrology, 2025 was the Year of the Snake, which is a symbol of shedding, transformation, and quiet resilience. In numerology, it was a 9 year, which represents endings, completion, and closure. And that feels about right.

If your year was anything like mine, this year didn’t ask us to sprint forward. This year asked us to push through, to release expectations, to let things fall apart that no longer work (sometimes before we were ready). 

For many, 2025 was heavy. Actually absurd at times. And exhausting in ways that don’t show up nicely on a resume or a LinkedIn post. The economy was relentless, the job market tested patience, and many leadership decisions (including those from the highest office) felt disconnected from reality. And yet, we continued to show up.

I want to pause here and acknowledge that. Because despite the challenges, we kept going. Despite the uncertainty, we adapted. Despite the moments where it felt easier to quit, we didn’t. We let go of what we couldn’t control and focused on what we could. 

For me, this played out in a few different ways:

Navigating Corporate Politics

2025 brought me yet another round of organizational change at work, including a new manager, new leadership, and new expectations. All of which makes you feel like you’re ‘starting over’ in trying to build rapport. 

As this was all happening, I also encountered a blocked promotion, which I wrote about more in this post. It was through that experience that I received indirect feedback from a leader that didn’t fully reflect the impact I’d been making. I was given the run around and told conflicting things, like that I was “just doing my job,” that I needed to launch more programs and get more leadership visibility (when I had done just that the last year), and that maybe my role may just not “be promotable.”

After coming to terms with the unfortunate reality that is corporate politics and recognizing that there are many more things I value more about my job than a promotion, I chose to focus on those. It wasn’t until a few months ago that my new manager surprised me and said he was going to put me up for promotion. Even though we hit some of the same bumps along the way, he was ultimately able to push it through for consideration and now, I wait. I should find out in a few weeks if the business case we put together was successful or not.

Either way, I’m proud of everything I built and oversaw in my corporate job this year. Because I am the only person leading employee engagement in my organization, I’ve been able to seek out opportunities that most wouldn’t get the chance to do. Not only have I grown my professional skill set, I’ve been able to make my mark in supporting our employees and have their best interest at heart, which is what matters to me most.

Adapting to Business Fluctuations

My business wavered in ways I didn’t anticipate. The year started off strong and I excitedly thought I could double my revenue from last year. But when the economy slowed in the late spring and people began using AI for career tasks more frequently, I noticed a dip in my business. There were some months I made next to nothing and it was…humbling to say the least.

I had to remind myself though that my business will always come second in line while I’m working a corporate job. I’m not out there consistently promoting my services and advertising my products because I simply don’t have the time or energy to. I can’t compare myself to full-time entrepreneurs and career coaches who are putting 100% of that into their businesses. 

In the end, I only brought in $2,100 less than I did last year. I was also fortunate to work with 16 individuals, speak at two events, and launch a group coaching program throughout 2025.

Uncovering Issue after Issue at Home

At home, Adam and I seriously wondered if our house was cursed. After moving into our 85-year-old house just three years ago, let’s just say, we’ve poured a LOT of money into it.

This year in particular we dealt with yard drainage issues, the main sewer pipe corroding and cracking that led to raw sewage leaking into our basement, a failed sump pump with subsequent basement flooding, and an entirely unexpected basement renovation that consumed time, energy, and money we hadn’t planned to spend. A lot of this also happened when Adam was out of town for work and I was left to deal with it on my own while trying to solo parent. I like to think it was a lot of…character building. Case in point the picture below, where I was absolutely drenched after trying to dig a ditch in a thunderstorm to relieve the flooding in our backyard.

But we also did get a whole new sewer line, sump pump system, deck, and landscaping around our yard! Gotta find the glimmers, right? Let’s hope our house is a little happier in 2026 🙂 

Balancing Life Challenges with Parenting

Not to mention…all of this happened while also parenting a toddler, which on its own is a masterclass in patience and surrender. James turned two this year and with his new age came more tantrums and “I’ll do it!” independence. Overall though, James is a pretty laid back and happy-go-lucky kid and we are fortunate that his toddlerisms are kept to a minimum.

There were more moments where I wished I had more time with him, especially as our attention was pulled in more directions this year dealing with contractors constantly at our home. That’s the challenge with being a working parent. You get reprieve to be your own person and contribute to work (hopefully that’s meaningful) but you also miss the crap out of your kid when they’re gone. We are fortunate to get so many photos and videos throughout the week from James’ daycare to make us feel like we’re not missing anything. But, the reality is, we are missing things and that’s the tug and pull I feel constantly.

---

If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that strength doesn’t always look like momentum. Sometimes it looks like holding yourself upright when everything feels like it’s shifting beneath you. Or maybe it’s leaning on someone to get you through. I wouldn’t have made it this year without Adam. His steadiness, support, humor, and partnership carried me through moments when I felt completely tapped out.

But now, we stand on the edge of something new.

2026 is the Year of the Horse and a 1 year in numerology, which signals a year of forward motion, new energy, and fresh starts. After a year focused on endings, shedding, and survival, we’re moving into a chapter that asks a different question: How do we want to grow from here? 

If 2025 stripped things away, maybe (hopefully!!!) 2026 will feel lighter, clearer, and more aligned. Not because everything will magically be easier, but because we are stronger, wiser, and more honest about what we’re no longer willing to carry.

Before you get pressured into goal-setting or resolutions, I encourage you to reflect on these questions instead:

• What did you survive this year that once felt impossible?
• What version of you emerged on the other side?
• What are you ready to leave behind?

Let it be said though that you don’t need to have it all figured out today. This is an opportunity to honor and celebrate how far you’ve come. 

Here’s to closing a hard year with gratitude and entering 2026 with forward momentum, fresh energy, and a new chapter.