Starting 2025, I’m reflecting on where I’ve been and where I want to go.

I already noticed while reflecting on last year that I’m a better mum—more patient, creative with activity ideas, and generally more fun to be around—when there’s enough “me as me” in the mix, and not just “me as mummy.”

Over the next 12 months, I want to build on the foundations I’ve laid and reclaim more of the “me” that existed pre-baby. Now that I’m (more or less) managing full-time work, home, and childcare responsibilities, it feels like the right time to make new year’s resolutions to add a few things that will boost my mental, physical, and social well-being.

In 2025, I intend to focus on myself while creating a more beneficial balance between parenting and personal growth.

The Quick List of 2025 Mum Life Goals

• Practise PMR weekly to improve focus and relaxation
• Go on more outings and day trips with the family
• Read eight books to rediscover my love for reading
• Keep up the blog and publish an eBook
• Build deeper and more meaningful connections with friends
• Get fitter, stronger, and lighter to feel my best
• Finish those little DIY projects around the house

The Details: In 2025, I intend to…

Get into PMR to Stay Calm and Focused

This year, I want to get into Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), which has been recommended as a good relaxation technique for mums. My therapist says there’s actual evidence that it can change your brain (fascinating, right?). For now, I’ll use the 7Mind app to guide me and aim to practise PMR at least once a week. The long-term goal? To master it without tools and avoid falling asleep mid-session—wish me luck!

Plan Holidays and Weekend Getaways for Quality Time

We’ve already booked two holidays for this year—a short one in spring and a longer one in summer. I love having things in the calendar to look forward to already! The spring trip will be a few days packed with family-friendly fun (read: kids stuff), while the summer trip promises to be a more escape in nature, complete with a sauna and hot tub for some grown-up relaxation once Little Bean is asleep.

Holidays are different now—less spontaneous, fewer late nights, and a lot less quiet! We’ve realised holiday apartments with separate living spaces work best for us, so my husband and I can unwind while Little Bean sleeps. Friends have told us stories of watching films in the dark with headphones on while their kids sleep in the evenings — but that’s just not our idea of recharging! That’s why we’ve embraced early planning and early-bird bargain hunting, because otherwise it’s just too expensive!

In addition, I would love to squeeze in about five more weekend getaways. I’ve even resolved to try a weekend staying in a youth hostel as a family to mix things up and save a bit. I only recently learnt that they are surprisingly practical with all the baby gear provided! All the money from selling old baby items has been earmarked for these extra trips—hopefully including one without Little Bean! Because let’s be honest, us parents deserve a break too. Even if it’s just to remember what silence sounds like! I’m hoping these travel ideas help us create wonderful memories while keeping everyone sane.

Read Eight Books to Rediscover My Love for Stories

Last year, I started some books but found myself forgetting the plot by the time I picked them up again (quite literally losing the plot!). I even installed the Kindle app on my phone to try to read while breastfeeding, but apparently the light disturbs her sensitive highness Little Bean (Not that I like reading on my mobile, anyway). As a 2025 goal, I’m determined to do better.

For me, finding ways to integrate these hobbies like reading is part of balancing motherhood and my own needs and interests, key for my mental health. And so I want to aim for proper reading sessions—an hour at a time, if possible—and to finish eight books over the year. Slowly but surely, I’m bringing this habit back into my life.

Maintain My Blog and Publish My First eBook

Last year was an eciting year on the the blog front! My first resolution here it to send the first edition of my eBook to subscribers in the next week or so (which is later than I promsed… sorry!). I’ll be asking for feedback to help refine it for a polished second edition, which I hope to release next December as part of my Advent calendar.

On top of that, I aim to write 20 blog posts this year. I also want to better understand SEO and Instagram algorithms. I’m hoping that these strategies for beginner bloggers will help me grow not just my followers but also lead to more, and more meaningful interactions. Those of you who are reading this, please know: likes, comments and subscribing are the real reward for me —they make all the effort feel worthwhile and help my mum blog feel like a thriving space. And maybe, just maybe, prevent my content from disappearing ignored into the internet void!

Foster Deeper Connections with Friends

Meeting up with friends without kids once a month is my goal for 2025. I know it won’t always work (because… kids..), but I’ll give it a shot. Wednesday evenings before my dance class are now unofficially “friend time,” and I’ll occasionally take afternoons off for coffee or a sauna trip. I’m also planning to go a “Murder Mystery Dinner” for my birthday this year—a fun evening where we can dress up, laugh, and reconnect.

Beyond meet-ups, I want to stay in better touch through calls and texts. And not just superficial chats, but real, meaningful conversations that help us connect on a deeper level. So far, texting has worked best in the middle of the night, but I’m hoping we can change that and all start sleeping through (if the bubbas get the memo, too!).

Get Active to Fit Into Pre-Baby Clothes

This year, I’m determined to get back into my pre-baby clothes (although, if we’re honest, some of the stretchy waistbands are due to bad pandemic home-office habits!). My plan is simple so that I can hopefully stick to it: attend a weekly dance class, do a one-hour home workout (rowing machine or strength training), and make an effort to walk more in daily life. Overall, I want to lose 10 kilograms by December 2025.

Final Thoughts

With these mum life goals, my 2025 is shaping up to be a year of rediscovery, connection, and growth. Writing out the goals has shown me that I have a good mix of small everyday goals and some larger adventures and wishes for the new year. Overall, my focus is on balancing mum life with “more me.”

If you’re a fellow mum juggling it all, I hope this post inspires you to set your own goals—and don’t forget to make time for yourself.

SMART Goals for 2025

To help myself (and hopefully inspire you!), here’s how I’m breaking down my goals in a SMART way with specific actions, timelines, and accountability:

Category	Goals	Deadline/Timeline	Specific Actions	Check-ins/Accountability
Mental Health	Complete one PMR session a week	Weekly through the year	Use the 7Mind app for 15-minute guided sessions	Reflect weekly, log progress in a journal
Family	Plan one family outing or day trip each month	Monthly through the year	Research budget-friendly locations and book early	Family discussions, reflect monthly,
Personal Growth	Finish 8 books, at least 2 per quarter	By Dec 2025	Schedule dedicated reading time weekly	Post about each book on social media
Personal Growth	Publish eBook and write 20 blog posts	Publish 1st edition in January, 2nd in December. Blog posts biweekly, plus Advent calendar.	Keep a notepad of ideas for posts, proofread eBook, and complete layout/design	Track blog analytics, gather reader feedback
Social Life	Spend 12 meetups with friends, plus phone calls and regular messages	Monthly, through the year	Schedule times for calls, send messages during lunch breaks, arrange one in-person event per month	Reflect quarterly, keep a diary of calls and meetups
Physical Health	Lose 10kg and improve fitness levels	1kg per month; goal by Dec 2025	Attend weekly dance classes, home workouts, and walk 3x/week	Use fitness tracker, weigh-in on 1st of each month
Home Life	Complete DIY projects: stairwell, bathroom cupboard, patio.	Aim for 1 project per quarter – 4th quarter as bonus time.	Prioritise tasks, secure budget, dedicate weekends	Take progress photos, seek family feedback

Here’s to an incredible year filled with growth, love, and more “me”! And to you – What are your ambitious goals for 2025? Share them in the comments or on my blog—I’m eager to hear your goals and new year’s resolutions!