Why I’m not setting intentions for 2025?
Last week, we hosted our very popular intention-setting workshop, and something strange happened for me. For context, I’ve been setting annual intentions for roughly six years. It’s always been something I’ve loved doing—a little ritual that shapes the year ahead in a way that feels doable and inspiring. But this year? I just couldn’t do it.
Reflecting on 2024—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly—wasn’t hard. That part came naturally. But when it came to setting intentions or "defining the vibe" for 2025, I hit a wall. Nothing came to me. At first, it unsettled me. This practice had always brought clarity and direction. Why wasn’t it working now?
Then I realised… maybe I don’t need to. Maybe I’ve reached a stage where I trust the daily systems I’ve built to carry me forward. Maybe I already have what I need to navigate life without needing a big, overarching plan.
A New Approach: Letting Go of "Striving"
I’m 46 years old, and for most of my life, I’ve treated myself as a project. Always tweaking, editing, refining. "Could do better" has been my internal slogan for as long as I can remember. But what if I just said, "Enough is enough"? What if I decided to roll with it and trust in what’s already there?
That’s exactly what I’m going to do in 2025. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean I’ll be sitting back and doing nothing. Quite the opposite. There’s so much excitement and transformation ahead for me. But what’s different is my mindset.
I’m leaning away from that relentless "striving" feeling. Striving for happiness. Striving for success. Striving for youth. I’m striving for… nothing.
Trusting the Process
Before I go any further, I want to be clear: I’m not saying that anyone else should follow my lead. This is just where I’m at right now. We’re all in different places on our journeys, and what feels right for me might not resonate with you—and that’s completely okay.
This shift is personal, and it’s what I need for this stage of my life.This shift feels huge for me. Trusting the systems I’ve created and the person I’ve become means I’m no longer trying to "fix" everything all the time. Life doesn’t have to be an endless project. It can be lived, day by day, with confidence in the habits and values I’ve spent years building.
Let me be clear: this isn’t about giving up. It’s about stepping into a mindset where I’m not chasing an unattainable version of myself or an idea of a "perfect" life. It’s about making space for things to unfold naturally without the constant need to optimise everything.
What This Means for You
If you’re feeling the pressure to set intentions, resolutions, or big goals for the year ahead, here’s your permission slip to step back. Ask yourself: do you trust the systems you already have in place? Can you lean into the person you’ve become and trust that you’ll make the right decisions as life unfolds?
For me, 2025 isn’t about striving. It’s about letting go and trusting in the flow of life. I’m curious to see where it takes me, and I hope this inspires you to approach your year in whatever way feels right for you—whether that’s setting intentions or simply trusting the process.
Kim Palmer - Founder, Clementine