New Year Goal Setting Tips for a Life of Freedom and Adventure

The end of the year often brings a sense of reflection. Looking back, I’m proud of the adventures I managed to have—especially since I was pregnant for most of the year! As 2025 approaches, I’m filled with excitement for the possibilities ahead. I know that to make the most of the new year, setting goals is essential. And the same goes for you—whether you’re planning new adventures, personal growth, or lifestyle changes, setting clear goals can help you achieve the life you envision in the year ahead. So this article will break down some goal setting tips to help us all stay on track and turn our visions for 2025 into reality.

An intentional goal-setting practice brings your future dreams within reach. If you’re aiming for a life filled with adventure, wellness, and fulfillment, it won’t happen by chance.

You need to be proactive, and the first step is simple: write it down! Putting all your dreams on paper turns them from ideas into actionable goals. This makes it easier to take the steps needed to bring them to life.

This blog is all about finding balance between adventure and wellness on the path to personal growth. As we step into 2025, let’s make our well-being and fulfillment a priority.

By setting intentional goals, we can prepare for a year of exciting adventures and embrace a life filled with freedom and possibility.

Reflect on the Year

Grab your journal or a pen and paper, and think about the achievements, challenges, and lessons you’ve encountered. Every experience, whether positive or difficult, holds value. By reflecting, you can uncover meaningful insights and carry them forward into the new year.

Think of the times you went out of your comfort zone. What difficulties did you encounter and how did you overcome them? How did it make you feel? Did you find growth through new wellness practices?

Journal Exercise: Reflect on three experiences from the year, write down what you can about them.

Defining Your Vision

What does freedom in life mean to you? How do you want to create that freedom in your own life? Think about what adventure and wellness look like to you—it’s such a personal and subjective experience, and that’s what makes each of our visions so unique and exciting!

Now for the fun part—get creative!

Try making a vision board. You can go the visual route, collecting images that spark excitement, or keep it simple and continue journaling your thoughts. Focus on what you desire in 2025.

Maybe it’s a meditation retreat, exploring new hiking trails, or competing in a swimming race. Dream big and don’t hold back!

You can include some quotes that get you inspired, or affirmations that encourage growth and freedom.

Then connect your vision to purpose. Find actual adventures (retreats, races, hiking trails..) that align with your vision board and your goals. Then sign up for them or commit to them by having a date set in your calendar.

I try to have at least one adventure or new thing planned for each month. Sometimes it’s bigger than other months, but as long as I have something on the cards I know I am constantly pushing myself in some way out of my comfort zone.

Smart Goal Setting

Let’s get practical. Have you heard of the SMART goal framework? Go through your goals for 2025 and integrate the SMART framework as explained below.

Specific: what is it you want to achieve?

Measurable: How can you do this, and track your progress?

Achievable: Is this goal you set achievable all things considered?

Relevant: Does this adventure align with your personal vision?

Time-bound: When do you hope to achieve this goal? Be as specific as possible.

If you fancy some inspiration, here are some ideas that I’m thinking of myself:

Adventure

• 30-day adventure challenge – including daily acts of thrills and physical tasks.
• Long distance swimming – finding 3-4 new swims to tick off my list.
• Hiking trails – there are a list of mountains I want to hike both in Iceland and Ireland.
• Freediving – lots of freediving in my plans! Why not try a course or join a meet-up group to try a fun-dive?

Wellness

• Breathwork and meditation courses
• Work on your morning routine
• Try a wellness workshop or retreat
• Incorporate nature walks into your week

Build an Action Plan

Break it all down into daily, then weekly, or monthly actions. Make it as simple as possible so that you don’t get overwhelmed and quit. Remember each step brings you closer to your goal so after you dream big, you must simplify things and think of the small, manageable steps to take each day to reach your goal.

You can track your progress in your journal. Check in with yourself to assess your progress and see if any adjustments are needed. That is also ok, and remember to be flexible in your plan as well because we all know life gets in the way.

To help with accountability, you can find an adventure buddy to work out with. Or just let your family or other half know what you are up to and maybe they can help keep you on track.

Overcoming Obstacles

There are always going to be bumps in the road, or times when we feel like giving up. I felt this only yesterday when I noticed my inner voice trying to talk me out of diving because it was -9 degrees outside.

But there is no growth inside your comfort zone. So be prepared for obstacles in your way and have strategies to tackle them when they hit.

Some obstacles include:

• Lack of motivation (guilty)
• Lack of time (I often tell myself this one)
• Fear
• General life setbacks than cannot be helped

Strategies to stay focused and motivated:

• Stay flexible when things come up, and have the long-term goal in mind
• Keep things small and simple, focusing on consistency
• Celebrate your goals and whatever progress you make! Rewarding yourself is the fun part

Embracing a Mindset of Freedom

An adventurous spirit can be cultivated. By manifesting and implementing daily practices and staying on track towards your own vision plan, things can and will happen. Stay open to new experiences and stay curious. Things will reveal themselves in a much more adventurous way than if you stay closed off to the world.

Remember to stay mindful and maintain a healthy routine of wellness activities to fully enjoy the journey and progress you make along the way. You will end up enjoying a lot more of your daily life when you become mindful towards it.

Here are some affirmations you can include in your daily journaling to stay motivated:

• I am free to explore, grow, and thrive.
• Every step I take leads me closer to a life of freedom.
• One day at a time, one step at a time.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. I hope these goal setting tips can be of some use to you. Why not try set your own adventure and wellness goals for the new year? Now is the time to start manifesting good things for yourself to start the new year well, and to live 2025 to the fullest.

Let me know on social media what kind of goals you have for the new year, and what your vision for a life of freedom entails. I would so love to hear about it!

Remember that everyday is a fresh start, so imagine the new year as a completely new canvas. This canvas is yours to paint full of adventures, wellness goodness to treat your soul, and a life full of freedom and fulfillment.

For more winter wellness tips, read my top 10 recommendations for staying healthy and happy in the dark months here.