25 Lessons for 2025

2024 was, in many cases, one of the worst years of my life, and in other cases, one of the best. I truly believe this year has seen both my tears and growth more than in previous years.

This year, I went from being a college student to a graduate. I moved, traveled across the country and back, cried myself to sleep, and walked EVERYWHERE because I am 23 years old and I still don’t have a license.

Overall, I fought for my life, and throughout it all, God has allowed me to keep my sanity. So, it is safe to say that this chaotic year has given me a blueprint for 2025. So here are the 25 lessons I will take with me in 2025.

Song of the day: The Sun Is Rising by Britt Nicole (P.S. This song started playing in a movie while I was writing this.)

Self

1. Believe in yourself.

So many of us believe that we’re just good enough to do simple things but not good enough to chase the desires that God placed on our hearts. During 2024, I constantly struggled with believing in myself, and even now, the battle has yet to be won. I found it hard to grasp that I was capable of the milestones I accomplished, and I felt like they belonged to someone else. This year, I am determined to leave imposter syndrome behind, and I think that this requires me to surrender my mind to the truth, which is that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

2. The key to your success is opening your mouth, your silence barely guarantees survival.

The Bible says life and death are in the power of the tongue, which means that our words are powerful. Our silence keeps us in the places we don’t belong and grounds us in survival mode. For most of my life, I have taken on the title of being quiet until I realized that it was not serving me. 2025 will be the year I find and establish my voice so I can flourish like the yapper I am.

3. Your fear of being seen is hiding you from your calling.

You cannot change your life and stay hidden. Your story demands to be heard, and your testimony demands to be felt. Matthew 5:16 states, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I know what it is like to run away from being seen because you fear being perceived. But just know that unless you live exclusively under a rock, life does not exist without perception, so own the spotlight.

4. The worst thing that can happen is nothing.

Remaining stagnant because of fear will leave the days passing by while you dream without action - faith without works is dead. I have sat and watched too many days pass me by because I was too afraid of doing the wrong thing or making the wrong decision, that I simply did nothing. Doing nothing is no longer the vibe, so let’s start moving and trust that if we go in the wrong direction, God will reroute us. And if we make it to a place where we can’t be rerouted, he will carry us home.

5. Allow yourself to be celebrated.

I know too well the discomfort that comes with others celebrating me. One of my biggest accomplishments to date is graduating from university and being the valedictorian of my class. I still remember how I felt finding out and how my family responded to the news, but most importantly, I remembered speaking to God once and saying how crazy it would be if I graduated as valedictorian of my class. At that time, it was a prayer that I was afraid to pray (again because of my fear of being seen), but God saw me, heard me, and sowed the seeds to celebrate me. Looking back, I regret not celebrating myself enough, but today I am learning to embrace it.

6. It is a privilege to be you.

There are times when life will get so heavy for us that we forget the simple privilege of existing as we are. There are no other worlds, eras, or lifetimes where we will exist. This life is our one chance, so in the dark days, remember that and breathe.

7. Forgive yourself.

We know ourselves. We know every bad thought, every mistake, every bad deed, so how can we deem ourselves worthy of forgiveness, knowing all this? It’s easy. God thinks we are so we are. Growth and healing require us to forgive ourselves for the things we did and didn’t do. It isn’t worth it to dwell on the past, and if the people in your life deserve your forgiveness, why don’t you?

8. Remember to do the things that heal your inner child.

For many of us, our younger selves live within us unhealed, leaving us with band-aids over bullet wounds. We need to do the ridiculous things that heal us, no matter what. Growing up, I have always wanted a pink princess room, and today I am in the process of fulfilling that dream for myself. Is it odd? Yes. Does it make me happy? Also, yes. And that is all that matters.

First-Born Daughters

9. When you are breaking generational curses, your victory will be hard-fought.

There is a saying, “It ran in my family until it ran into me.” This quote explains it best. As the eldest children, our journeys will be harder, and the difficulties may push us to occasionally resent our dreams. We will constantly carry the weight of our lineage while being set apart from our families. Everything will be hard, but it won’t be impossible, and that is the only saving grace.

10. Get comfortable with asking for help.

As first-born daughters, we are the helpers, the therapists, the leaders, the everything. We are often the shoulders to cry on and the hearts to confide in, so we deserve to be on the receiving end of all that we provide. Learn to lean on those around you sometimes, you don’t always have to be the rock.

11. Give yourself the space and time to be weak.

We need to be weak. We are only human, and that fact alone suggests that moments of weakness are a package deal. Why do we think that because we are first-born daughters, we must be immune to weakness? Change the narrative this year and cherish the moments of weakness that allow your loved ones to show up for you. It’s a form of self-care.

12. Put yourself first this time.

As women, we are notorious for pouring from an empty cup, as first-born daughters, many of us have never known a full cup. So this year, let’s refrain from the pouring and focus on filling. Plus, what good is life if you’re only living it for other people? Forget about the opinions and limitations of others, choose YOU this time.

Relationships

13. Appreciate and acknowledge your village.

Where would we be without the people who push us to dream and strive? I know I wouldn’t be very far. Life is already hard enough with a village, so I can’t imagine it without one. I’m sure you can’t either. So let us raise a toast to the people whose existences we would be lost without.

14. Your community of women is crucial to your thriving.

I trust very few men, but the women in my life have been the best part of my human experience. I am eternally grateful for my female tribe, and I recognize their importance in the evolution of my present self. And wi likkle bit but we tallawah! There are not enough words to express how blessed I am to have these women in my life, so let’s not forget the women who have been walking with us.

15. Do it even without the support.

There will be times in your life when the people who love you most don’t understand your calling, and that is okay. Life requires you to walk certain paths alone and by faith. You have to love yourself enough to do it even without the support. That is the sacrifice of success, and there are no shortcuts.

16. Let people go when they want to leave.

Of everything in life, change is what I hate most. People leaving, relationships ending, or going on pause, and uncharted waters scare me. I love deeply, but I have realized that sometimes paths disentangle, and we must allow it. And it will hurt, but it is inevitable. The tragedy of life is that we cannot keep everyone we love, even when they are still living.

Faith

Bible Verse of the Day

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” saith the Lord “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

17. Keep God at the center of it all.

In these lives we lead, it is easy to forget God. It is easy to revert to the mindset that we are alone here, but we must keep Him in the center. Keep Him in the center of the pain, the bliss - everything. Rely on Him like a child relies on their parent. Embrace Him in every aspect of your life and watch it change before your very eyes.

18. Pray without ceasing.

I didn’t always understand what this meant. How can I be in a constant act of praying? It’s simple, keep Him in the center and remain in consistent contact with Him. Don’t live with your Bibles closed, your mouth closed, and your secret place empty. Take advantage of the power you have within Him.

19. Pray until the fear leaves you.

I can’t explain this any better. You have to pray until you can muster the courage to do what needs to be done, even if that courage only lasts a few minutes. Keep praying and moving until you get the results you desire. Then pray to maintain it.

20. Be grateful for God’s no’s.

I have been told no so many times in my life, and most times I have been angry, other times forlorn. However, I am learning to trust His no’s and be grateful for them. Sometimes they aren’t even no’s, just not-yets, but either way, I am learning to release control and allow Him to intercede in my life.

21. God will never bury you, he will only plant you.

In 2024, God planted me, but for most of the year, I thought that I had been buried. I had allowed the troubles in my life to convince me that my good days were behind me instead of ahead. But this year, I refuse to forget that God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

22. Bloom where He plants you.

And when He plants you, don’t forget to bloom. And don’t forget that the blooming will take work and time. Many of us are in our seasons of blooming, and during this time, it is crucial to keep our eyes on the Lord. So commit your plans to Him, don’t be lazy, and fight to see your petals sprout.

23. Sometimes you won’t always know your next step

God will place a desire on your heart, and it will chase you until you start chasing it. In following that desire, you won’t always know every step to take, and the plans won’t always be fully established. However, the Lord will provide for you in your obedience. His path for you may not be logical, but it is yours, and he will be there with you as you walk it.

24. Let go and let God.

I know, it’s hard to get out of the driver’s seat, especially when you have been in it for so long. But there is so much freedom and peace in the passenger seat. You are probably so exhausted from being stuck in survival mode, but giving up control feels dangerous. It isn’t. So let it go and leave it up to God. I promise you won’t crash.

25. Do not be afraid.

Fear has already stolen so much from me, and I refuse to let it take anything else. God didn’t give me a spirit of fear; He gave me good things like favor, mercy, and hope. This year and onwards, I am dedicated to pushing myself despite the fear, and you should too, because we are worth it.

Like me, I hope you take some, if not all, of these lessons with you into 2025 and beyond. I believe that we all deserve the best that God has for us, so why not do whatever it takes to have it?

Peace