2024 is here, and while many people will tell you that New Year's resolutions are pointless and you won't keep up with them, I will tell you why you should. The new year is an opportunity for you to design the life you want, reflect on the previous year's wins and losses, and decide for yourself what you want to manifest.
There have been years where my new year opened up doors for me that I never thought possible and years where I struggled tremendously - in both circumstances, my attitude, choices, and consistency were a direct result of the outcomes. As you approach the new year, I'm not here to tell you what you should consider for 2024; I'm suggesting what you should do away with to build a life rooted in what's best for your well-being. The rest is up to you.
5 Things To Let Go Of In The New Year
1.People Who Tell You Don't Set New Year's Resolutions
There is something to be said about being intentional in goal-setting for the new year.
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Is it just me, or are people who tell you that setting New Year's resolutions pointless just not my kind of people? Am I saying that you should set unrealistic goals for yourself? Absolutely not, but there is something to be said about being intentional. You cannot create anything great without being specific and dedicated. Stay the course even if you're the only one in your immediate circle who sticks with their resolution goals. To keep yourself motivated, make small goals instead of focusing on the larger goal ahead of staying dedicated all year.
2.Diets That Aren't Sustainable
Making lifestyle changes can be difficult, especially when they're unstainable. Fad diets can lead to weight gain and worse outcomes like binge eating. Deciding to assess your eating habits and make changes to fuel your body and take care of your temple is a beautiful decision, but it should be made with your long-term goals and lifestyle in mind. Instead of focusing on restriction, focus on implementing whole foods into your diet and cutting back on processed foods and, more importantly, foods that don't agree with your body. Our bodies are constantly speaking to us; we just have to listen.
3.Misaligned Relationships
Ask yourself if relationships that are holding space in your life are a reflection of what you desire in 2024.
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Don't start the new year pouring into dead-end relationships. Often, when friendships, relationships, and even business relationships are close to their expiration date, we delay deciding to move on out of fear of the unknown, but what does it serve you to stay in any relationship that's expired? Make space for what's coming by, and ask yourself if the relationships that are holding space in your life are a reflection of what you desire in 2024.
4.Movement That Isn't Rooted in Joy
What's your relationship with movement? Is it something you do just for weight loss? Is it based on the workouts you were told would garner a specific result? Exercise isn't just crucial for our bodies, it's needed for our minds as well. There are studies that show the correlation between exercise and the release of trauma stored in our bodies, but that exercise should be rooted in a workout routine that you can enjoy.
Related: 5 Satisfying Hip Opening Stretches Your Body Wants You To Do More Often
Much like your diet should be sustainable, your exercise regimen of choice should be as well. So ignore the TikTok trends, and try out a bunch of different exercise machines and classes if you can. Develop a workout routine focused on exercise that excites and challenges you.
5.Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Use healthy coping tools to prep yourself for how to respond to shifts in your life that you don't expect.
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Even if you have the year wins, challenges and adversity will come. For every high, there will be a low, and that's not to say that you should anticipate pain and loss; it's to prepare yourself for how to respond in a healthy way to shifts in life that you didn't expect. On those days, do all you can to stay away from overeating, alcohol, and any other unhealthy ways that you would usually lean on to cope; develop a list of healthy coping tools that you can turn to.
2024 will be your best year if you are intentional. I believe in you, and I cannot wait to see all that lies ahead of us in the coming year.
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It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Alistair Berg/Getty ImagesStep 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Getty ImagesStep 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
DMP/ Getty ImagesStep 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
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Below, Angel shares the skincare products that make her skin glow and her go-to makeup looks.
Check out her routines below.
Skincare
Vogue/YouTube
Angel starts with La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. “I love skincare. Makes me feel good, makes me feel cleanse, especially after a long day because I’m always on the go,” she says. “I play sports, so my face is always drenched with sweat, and I always gotta keep it clean.”
Vogue/YouTube
Angel uses two moisturizers. She uses Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 first and follows it up with Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe.
"You have to use the thinnest layer and then the thickest layer," she says. "I learned these tips because one time I posted a skincare routine and they were like, you need to run that back. And they taught me you need to do thin then thick and then I could see the complete difference with my skin."
Vogue/YouTube
She keeps Laniege Lip Balm with her at all times, including during games.
Vogue/YouTube
One-Size Setting Spray is her go-to for keeping her makeup fresh on the court. “I usually spray my beauty blender with my setting spray,” she says. “People usually wet the beauty blender under the water, but why not set it with this.”
Vogue/YouTube
She rounds out her beauty routine with mascara, brows, and her lip combo using Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner and Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss. But before closing, she made sure to give flowers to the WNBA stars before her who were also known for getting glammed on and off the court.
“I gotta give kudos to the girls who were wearing makeup before. Lisa Leslie, Skylar Diggins, Candace Parker. Everybody already had their edges and their lashes, lipstick on," she says. "Tina Thompson; she used to wear a full red lip on her lips during the game, but that’s something I could probably never do.”
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Feature image by Vogue/YouTube