

As the calendar turns another page into 2025, the opportunity for a fresh start is newly upon us. The excitement to take on new endeavors and personal goals is at an all-time high, and the blank slate of the new year provides us with a renewed sense of optimism for what lies ahead.
With all the buzz surrounding the new year, the pressure to take on our resolutions can make it challenging to gain clarity on what steps to take first. That’s why welcoming the new year with ease can set a positive tone so you don’t burn out before the end of January.
To help, we’ve provided five practical and mindful ways to enter the new year with a sense of ease and readiness.
5 Ways To Ease Into Your New Year With Intention
1. Take time to reflect and release.
Before diving into the new year, take a moment to release all that you might not have achieved or experienced in the past 12 months. While it might have been nice to mark every goal down as “complete,” there’s no need to carry that defeat into the new year.
Reflect on all the achievements, moments of growth, and lessons learned — no matter how big or how small — and celebrate yourself for them. You did your best; and now it’s time to reshift your focus on how you’d like to approach the new year, judgment-free.
Equally important is letting go of any negativity or regrets that may linger and release what no longer serves you to make space for the opportunities that lie ahead.
2. Cultivate moments of gratitude.
No matter what foot you've entered the new year on, it’s important to embrace it with a grateful heart. Everything might not have gone according to plan, and you may have some residual angst from the previous year, but taking stock of what you’re entering the year with — and even the things you no longer have — is worth noticing.
Start a gratitude journal or even a gratitude jar to keep track of all the great things coming into your life, and look back on all the positive moments you’re taking into with a sense of appreciation.
3. Take the pressure off your goals.
It seems like everywhere we turn, there’s endless talk about our goals and vision boards. Sure, it can be exciting to daydream about all the things that you’ll accomplish by December 2025, but it’s okay to take things day by day. Setting quarterly goals that focus on specific areas of your life could be the approach you need to see growth over time.
Give your goals time to develop and give yourself the grace to win, fail, and learn along the way.
4. Organize and declutter your space.
There’s no better way to bring in the new year than by clearing out your space. Not only does it release the clutter from your personal space, it releases it from your mental space as well. Give away or sell clothes that no longer fit the vibe for the “new you,” delete old apps and photos from your phone that are taking up too much space, and reorganize those forgotten places around your home. If it no longer serves a purpose, let it go.
5. Put yourself first.
Sometimes, the start of the year can feel like “self-improvement overload,” which can make January feel overwhelming before it even starts. That’s why, in the first couple of days or even weeks of January, it’s important to listen to your inner voice and cut out the noise.
You know what you want. You know what you desire to get out of the new year.
And if that means unplugging from the internet and social media so you can start the new year on your own terms, give yourself permission to do just that. Practice self-care, sleep in a little, ignore those emails and take it easy in the gym. Remember that this is your year. Start it on a note you’ll be proud of.
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Featured image by AleksandarNakic/Getty Images
Originally published on January 5, 2024
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage