New Year, 12 Wishes

New Year, 12 Wishes: Manifesting Joy, Health, and Balance in 2025

There’s something magical about a fresh start. The first Sunday of 2025 feels like a blank page, ready for us to write a new chapter full of growth, connection, and mindful living. In Spain, where I now call home, the new year begins with a tradition: eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, each representing a wish for the coming year. It’s a ritual of hope, a way to invite luck, abundance, and intention into every month ahead.

But what if we turned those 12 grapes into something more—a guide for manifesting joy, health, and balance throughout the year? Let’s take this timeless tradition and adapt it into a wellness ritual that helps us achieve our goals and embrace a year of intentional living.

A Personal Spin on the 12 Grapes Tradition

This year, as I popped each grape into my mouth and silently wished for the year ahead, I found myself thinking about what truly matters. I reflected on what I want to cultivate in 2025:

• Opening my heart to deeper connections: This year, I’m setting an intention to create space for a meaningful relationship, and break the cycle of dating the same wrong kind of men (emotionally unavailable footballers… I guess I have a type? 😵‍💫). Vulnerability and openness are scary but essential for growth. Acknowledging our faults and breaking cycles is also important to move forward.

• Deepening friendships: Life feels richer when shared with people who inspire and uplift you. I want to spend more time with friends, nurturing those bonds that bring joy and perspective.

• Running with purpose: After signing up for the Prague Half Marathon and Madrid Half Marathon in April and dreaming of the Valencia Half Marathon, running will be my space to challenge myself and celebrate what my body can achieve.

• Reflecting and creating: Creativity feeds the soul. Whether it’s journaling, brainstorming for Root & Renew, or writing for this newsletter, I want to give myself time to think, dream, and create without pressure. Tim Ferriss advocates for creating a creative gym where you make intentional time for the activies that foster creativity. You can learn more about that here, in an interview with Tim Ferriss on the My First Millions podcast.

• Hyper-focusing on professional growth: 2025 is the year I will pour everything into the Root & Renew rebrand and growth, and expand The Wellness Rewind community. Connecting with you all has been a privilege, and I can’t wait to see where we grow together this year.

These five categories break down my 12 goals for 2025 that are my 12 grapes—each representing a part of the joy, health, and balance I want to cultivate.

Manifesting Joy, Health, and Balance

So how can we all take this tradition and make it our own? Here’s a simple ritual you can use to align your wishes with action.

1. Reflect on Your 12 Grapes

Take some time to think about what you want to achieve this year.

• What’s most important to you?

• What areas of your life do you want to nurture, grow, or transform?

Write down 12 intentions—one for each month. These could focus on health, relationships, passions, or personal growth.

2. Start with a “Grape-Sized” Step

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay.

Ask yourself:

• What’s one small, actionable step I can take this month to nurture this intention?

• What do I need to make this possible?

It could be something as simple as scheduling a coffee date with a friend, going for your first run, or journaling about your goals for 10 minutes each morning.

3. Check In Monthly

At the end of each month, review your intentions.

• Celebrate what you’ve accomplished.

• Reflect on what worked (and what didn’t).

• Reset for the next month to keep your momentum alive.

Think of this as your personal ritual to realign with your goals.

Nurturing Your Grapes: A Personal Example

Here’s how I’m breaking down one of my wishes: Opening my heart to deeper connections.

January: Reflect on what I’m looking for in a relationship and how I can show up authentically.

February: Say yes to opportunities to meet new people. Whether it’s attending a running event or a local meetup, I’ll prioritize connection over comfort.

March: Start small by opening up in conversations. Vulnerability doesn’t have to mean big leaps—it can mean sharing a little more about myself with friends and potential partners.

By tackling this wish month by month, I’m giving myself permission to grow without pressure, one “grape” at a time.

Your Turn: Crafting Your 12 Grapes Template

Now it’s your moment to take this practice and make it your own. What’s one goal or intention you’d like to focus on this year? Break it down into manageable steps and map out a plan for the next three months.

Here’s a simple guide to get started:

1. Name Your Goals

What area of your life feels ready for growth or change? Think about something meaningful to you—whether it’s improving your health, strengthening relationships, or pursuing a personal passion.

2. Define Your First Steps

Write out three small, actionable steps you can take, one for each month. These should feel doable, exciting, and aligned with your intention.

Example Template

Wish: [Write your goals here, e.g., "Prioritize my mental health."]

• January: [Set a foundation, e.g., "Start a daily 5-minute meditation practice to center myself."]

• February: [Build momentum, e.g., "Explore one new self-care activity each week to discover what works best."]

• March: [Deepen your progress, e.g., "Schedule time for weekly reflection to celebrate wins and adjust where needed."]

Q1 Check-In (End of March):

• Reflect: What progress have you made?

• Celebrate: What are you proud of?

• Adjust: Are there any changes or additions you’d like to make for the next quarter?

• April: [Expand your efforts, e.g., "Incorporate a weekly digital detox day to recharge and reduce overwhelm."]

• May: [Focus on consistency, e.g., "Create a morning or evening ritual that includes journaling, gratitude, or mindfulness."]

• June: [Celebrate progress, e.g., "Treat yourself to a wellness experience, like a yoga retreat or spa day, as a reward for your commitment."]

Q2 Check-In (End of June):

• Reflect: Which habits have stuck, and which need more attention?

• Celebrate: What’s one milestone you’ve hit?

• Adjust: Are there any mid-year shifts in focus or priorities?

• July: [Reassess your needs, e.g., "Evaluate what's working in your mental health routine and adjust where needed."]

• August: [Try something new, e.g., "Explore a new mental health tool or activity, like therapy, a self-help book, or a guided workshop."]

• September: [Strengthen connections, e.g., "Reach out to loved ones to build a support system and share your journey."]

Q3 Check-In (End of September):

• Reflect: How have your efforts impacted your life so far this year?

• Celebrate: What’s one thing you’re grateful for on this journey?

• Adjust: Is there a final push or focus you want to prioritize as the year wraps up?

• October: [Dive deeper, e.g., "Commit to a month-long challenge, like journaling every day or practicing gratitude."]

• November: [Reflect on growth, e.g., "Write about how far you've come this year and the impact of your efforts on your mental health."]

• December: [Celebrate your journey, e.g., "Plan a self-care day or gift yourself something special to honor your dedication to this wish."]

Q4 Check-In (End of December):

• Reflect: What have you accomplished this year?

• Celebrate: How has this journey changed or empowered you?

• Look Ahead: What are your intentions or dreams for the coming year?

You can choose to share your journey with someone you trust for accountability or keep it as a personal commitment to yourself.

Pro Tip: Write your steps somewhere visible—a journal, your phone Notes or Notion, or even sticky notes on your mirror—to keep your intention top of mind.

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