As we are wrapping up 2024, I often wonder how many of you feel like every year just slips through your fingers, and you're left wondering where all that time went? Maybe you’re asking yourself, ‘Did I even make progress?’ or feeling like it’s all blurred together between the demands of motherhood, work, or just keeping up. If that’s you, today’s episode is exactly what you need.

Today, we're taking a journey into something powerful. Before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and the world pushes us into goal-setting, I want to offer you a moment of rest and reflection—space to pause and really see the progress, the growth, and the beauty that God has been weaving through your story this year. Together, we’ll go through what I call the three pillars for welcoming a new year with joy: reflect, refresh, and ready. Let’s dive in!"

Take a listen now:

Y’all, I remember it so clearly. It was Christmas 2018, and a friend had gifted me a journal—a simple gift, really, but it came with a purpose: it was meant to help me map out the next 10 years of my life. I sat down with that journal, full of anticipation, and poured out the dreams I had for our life, for my husband Joel, for our newly adopted teenage son, and for the future we were building.

But here’s what I couldn’t have known: just 10 days later, my life was about to change forever. In an instant, my world was turned upside down. Joel passed away unexpectedly, and at 29, I found myself a widow and a single mom.

As I walked through that season of grief that words cannot explain, I found myself returning to that journal. I can’t even fully explain it, but having those dreams written down became a lifeline. They were a road map that guided me through the darkest days. God, in His infinite wisdom, had led me to capture my dreams and my purpose just in time. And in the midst of pain, I had something beautiful to hold onto—a direction, a purpose, and a calling.

This journey of writing down dreams and anchoring them in faith gave me not only healing but a reason to keep showing up. It sparked the passion I have now to help others do the same. To write, dream, and live boldly—knowing that God walks with us.

Now, this blog contains something amazing, so if you’re finding value in it, stay tuned for this special offer at the end, created just for you!

Here are 4 Ways to Prepare Your Heart and Mind for the New Year:

Rest

Think about the upcoming season for a moment when we welcome the New Year. Trees in winter—bare, still, and conserving energy—are not dead nor in decline; they're in a season of essential rest, preparing for spring. Just like trees, we’re meant to pause and replenish, a practice woven into God’s design for us.

In Exodus 20:8-10, God commands Sabbath as a holy rest: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…on it you shall not do any work.” In this space, we’re reminded that rest is a provision, not just a reward for productivity but a part of our rhythm.

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts recently and I heard the host talk about a devotional she was reading where it said,

This was a real gut check for me because I feel like so many of us are addicted to achievement and progress, filling our calendars, and checking off all the boxes. We all love when people notice us and see what we're doing and the mountains we are climbing, we get applause and cheers.

But most of the time, if we are honest, when we are resting it’s only out of exhaustion and when we plan a time of rest, we are beating ourselves up over the things we need to be doing instead like laundry and the never ending to do list.

Psalm 23:2 reminds us, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” Imagine if we approached rest intentionally—not only to recover from exhaustion but to deepen our roots. Just as trees prepare for their next season by pausing, rest allows us to be refreshed for our next steps.

Rest Challenge: Think about this as your permission to "stop and smell the roses". Before you do the next steps, this week, take a step of carving out one hour just for rest—genuine rest, without guilt or productivity- go put it on your schedule, actually. Picture it as “Sabbath time,” a space where you let go of “should” and embrace simply being. Whether you sit quietly, walk in nature, or spend time in reflection, honor that hour as a gift. Friend, it’s yours!

Afterward, ask yourself, “How did it feel to pause intentionally? What did it show me about where I need rest in my life?” Write down any insights or feelings, and revisit them as you continue exploring intentional rest and share it with us in this week’s podcast discussion in The Joyful Life Community.

I know what you’re thinking though… “oh that sounds wonderful, but seriously with all the responsibilities and things to get done… Lauren… how?”

Well, I’ve come up with a few approaches for intentional rest with ways to unplug and find time, tailored to early risers and night owls. So here are some ideas:

Unplugging & Planning Intentional Rest:

1. Create Boundaries: Decide on a "rest zone" free from screens or tasks. If you can, silence notifications and place your phone away from reach.

2. Early Risers:

   • Set aside some time in the morning, before everyone wakes up, to read, meditate, journal, or simply sit with coffee or tea.

   • If mornings are busy, try to dedicate 15 minutes after breakfast to step outside or find a quiet space each day.

3. Night Owls:

   • Reserve the last 30 minutes of your evening to wind down with a quiet, restorative activity, like reading or listening to calming music.

   • Try an evening walk to reflect and breathe in nature, or soak in a bath to release the day’s stresses.

4. Involve Family in Rest: If you’re balancing family responsibilities, involve loved ones. For example, schedule a “quiet hour” for everyone to read, draw, or spend time individually. This can teach your family to value downtime.

5. Creative Breaks: Plan a nature break in your week, like a solo walk or quiet moment in the garden. These unplugged moments can ground you, bringing energy and peace.

Remember, small, intentional pauses can refuel you and help cultivate rest as a rhythm, not a reward after exhaustion.

Reflection

After you’ve given yourself time rest and pause, it’s time for reflection, which is step #2. You’ve likely heard that old saying, ‘Hindsight is 20/20,' right? But reflection is so much more than just looking back. It's an intentional time to appreciate where we’ve been. It’s giving ourselves permission to celebrate our wins, learn from our misses- the knowing what worked and what didn’t, and—most importantly—thank God for both.

Gratitude and Gratefulness

I started a gratitude practice for the first time when I started the dream journal. It became an experience that required me to reflect and realize where I was and the progress I was making everyday before moving forward and tackling the next thing.

If you don’t have a daily gratitude practice, it’s really quite simple. Choose 3 things every morning or night and write them down in a notebook our a journal. Make sure you don’t repeat the same things- get really specific and if you’re a praying person, this is a great way to sit with God and be thankful for all your many blessings. This is simple to tie into your morning routine by putting into your devotional time. Gratitude is simple but also allows us to practice actively looking for God’s goodness in the small things.

The other side of this is gratefulness- call it what you will but there are times when we also have to consider hardship a blessing. On the other side of those challenges and setbacks, we find that going through battles, as a Christian really does draw us closer to God and helps us to build a foundation.

Even if it’s difficult I want you to ask yourself “What one lesson from this past year has grown you the most?”

And remember this perspective:

“Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-4

And this one:

Psalm 126:3 says, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

When we pause to reflect, we begin to see the fingerprints of His goodness written on every page of our story, even if it was hard to see at the moment.

Questions for Reflection:

Here are some questions to sit with and get your wheels spinning:

• What accomplishments did you have this year?

• What lesson has helped you grow?

• How did God show up for you in ways you may not have expected?

  
  

If you feel called to go deeper, write these out. Keep them somewhere you can see as a reminder of how far you’ve come and as fuel for the journey ahead.

I recommend reflecting daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly- and going a little deeper with each one. For instance, saying “I am grateful for the sunrise this morning” is perfect for a morning reflection, but not so much when I’m doing a yearly reflection. I would reflect on a deeper and more meaningful connection that has helped grow me.

When you join our Joyful Life Community, you’ll get access to our Joyful Life Goal Planner and inside you’ll find my daily journal page along with reflections for each of these timeframes to keep you on track. You can find the link inside the show notes wherever you are listening, watching, or reading.

Refresh

Now let’s dive into part 3, Refresh! Refreshing is like taking a deep breath after a long day. It’s letting go of anything that’s been weighing you down and preparing your spirit for a new season.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) – Reflect on the renewing power of a fresh outlook.

If you’re wondering how to renew and refresh your goals consider asking yourself these questions:

• What areas in your life feel out of balance or need recalibrating?

• What do you need to let go of as you move forward?

• Where can you make space for rest in your daily life?

• How can you invite God to renew your strength for what’s to come?

• What do you feel that’s taking up space or time in your current life that no longer serves you and where you want to go?

Jot down anything that comes to mind, and let it guide you as you begin to close out this year and prepare for the next.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.’Just like we need physical rest, we need a spiritual refreshing to renew our strength for what’s next.

Ready

While I absolutely love steps 1-3, number 4 is definitely a contender for my favorite! This is our final step: readying ourselves. This isn’t about creating a massive to-do list or mapping out every moment of the year—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will and moving forward with purpose.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

We don’t have to have everything figured out, because we know that He’s going before us. We’re simply invited to step forward with open hands.

As you prepare for 2025, here are a few questions to consider:

• What dreams are still un-lived in your heart?

• What are your deepest hopes for this next year?

• Where is God inviting you to step out in faith?

• What small steps can you commit to that will keep you moving toward those goals?

Maybe this is the year to finally take that baking class and fill your kitchen with new creations, or start planning that garden you’ve been dreaming of, where joy and homegrown goodness come together. Picture creating an activity calendar for your family with adventures for each season, enrolling in a wellness class that you’ve been wanting to try, or maybe planning a weekend retreat to unplug and recharge. Or, if a side hustle has been on your heart, now’s the time to take the first step and bring that dream to life!

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about movement, about taking one faithful step after another. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone.

Now if step #4 was exciting and got the dreamer inside of you ignited, you’re going to LOVE this!

You're Invited

This is where I get extra excited! I’d love to invite you to join me in our upcoming Joyful Life Workshop. We’ll meet live the first three Wednesdays in November at Noon Eastern time, where I’ll personally guide you through:

• Week 1: Reflect – We’ll start by looking back on the year, celebrating wins, and learning from challenges. This is all about gratitude and reflection, a crucial step before moving forward.

• Week 2: Refresh – Let’s breathe new life into your dreams! We’ll work together to define your personal values and create goals that are not just achievable, but aligned with who you are and what you want for your life.

• Week 3: Ready – In this final session, we’ll break those big goals down into manageable habits and actionable steps that you can incorporate into your daily life.

And, of course, I’ll be diving deeper into the JOYFUL LIFE GOAL PLANNER, walking you through every step so you can leave with a clear plan that supports your values, dreams, and most importantly, your joy.

Can’t be there live? No worries, friend, you’ll get access to the replay after the event to watch it as many times as you’d like!

And let me say this—community and accountability are game-changers. And we are just getting started, so how neat will it be to be here from the BEGINNING?! A year from now, can you imagine how much we will all have grown?

There’s something powerful about gathering with like-minded women who are on this journey with you, sharing insights, challenges, and victories. That’s why I created our Joyful Insiders Community, where you can connect with other women pursuing joy and purpose in every season. Let’s support and encourage each other.

To join the Joyful Life Workshop, you can sign up through the Joyful Insiders Community for just $5 a month, with lifetime access to the workshop, plus so many other amazing things just for our exclusive members! Or, if you prefer, you can pay a one-time fee of $25 for access to replays until February 18th.

Head over to the Joyful Life Community⁠ on Patreon. Join the conversation, share your name tag, and let us know which inner bully you’re facing this week, and what dreams you’re planting. We’re here to support each other in taking bold steps forward, together.

Thank you for joining me today! If you’re ready to go deeper and make 2025 your most intentional year yet, I invite you to join us in the Joyful Life Workshop. You’ll find all the details linked in the show notes.

And as always, if this episode has blessed you, please take a moment to leave a review and share it with a friend. Let’s spread a little more joy together.

This was a very special episode to my heart and if you’ll stick it out with me, I'd love the opportunity to pray with you! Lord, as we close this year and look to the new one, we ask for Your guidance, peace, and wisdom. Help us reflect on the blessings and lessons You’ve given us. May we find rest in Your love, and may You ready our hearts for all You have in store. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Thanks so much for stopping by! We so enjoy sharing our life alongside you. We are so grateful to each of you reading and being a part of our life and our story! We hope to be part of yours, too! And, we'd love to connect.

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With joy,

Lauren Alonso