Whew! Shout out to you for making it though 2024. Now it’s time to reflect and get ready for 2025. Here’s the thing: reflection is everything before stepping into a new season. And no, it doesn’t have to be tied to the new year. It could be starting a new job, moving to a new city, diving into a new relationship—basically, anything that puts you in a whole new space. Taking a moment to reflect on lessons learned is the secret sauce to growth and leveling up. Don’t play yourself and skip it.
2024 has been really good to me in so many ways. And at the same time, it quite literally felt like hell on Earth. Balance though, right? The balance between the really high highs and managing the really low lows. But through it all, I’m deeply grateful for the privilege of living this life, with all its beauty and chaos intertwined. Life really said, “You want character development? Say less.”
In this post we’re getting to the lessons learned from career, blogging and creativity growth, as well as personal life reflections. All the things that tried to take me out this year and everything that helped ya girl to level up. We’re setting intentions and prepping for an epic 2025.
How to be Highly Productive and get More Done – The Nerd Bae
Finding Clarity in Career Growth & Goal Alignment
Y’all, 2024 was a serious glow-up year for me professionally. The best part? It feels like this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my career. But let me keep it real—it didn’t start out that way. At the beginning of 2024, I was feeling a little lost about my next move. I had a vision for the roles I wanted, but I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to make that transition happen.
By mid-year, though, things got real shaky. I wasn’t sure if my role was secure, so I started casually searching for new opportunities—because why not? I was already in the mindset to level up. But… crickets. No bites on my resume, and I’m not going to lie, it started to sting. I found myself thinking, Dang, maybe I’m not as lit as I thought I was.
But I prayed, stayed the course, and decided to make a bold move: In true Sagittarius fashion, I booked a trip to Paris.
Because YOLO. If I ended up losing my job, at least I’d have a vacation to look back on. We listen; we don’t judge. Lucky for me, by October, my role shifted, opening up opportunities to learn new skills, join a new organization, and gain the kind of experience that’s setting me up for the next level. On top of that, I secured a few additional income streams that gave me the freedom to invest in my education and pour into my business. With the extra resources, I’ve been able to sharpen my skillset and lay a solid foundation for even bigger moves ahead.
How to Make a Career Change After 30 – The Nerd Bae
Actionable Career Growth Tips for 2025
- Stay Ready to Pivot
Just like I experienced in 2024, uncertainty can creep in at any time. Keep your resume sharp, maintain an updated portfolio, and stay connected on platforms like LinkedIn. Even if you’re not actively job hunting, being prepared opens you up to unexpected opportunities. - Invest in Yourself
Use additional income or spare time to enhance your skillset. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications, or workshops, staying competitive means staying curious. The more you learn, the more value you bring to your current role or your next move. - Create Multiple Income Streams
Diversifying your income isn’t just about earning extra—it’s about freedom. Whether it’s freelancing, starting a side hustle, or monetizing a passion project, additional streams of income can fund personal growth and provide a safety net for your career goals.
Career growth isn’t just about the job—it’s about building confidence, sharpening skills, and staying ready for the next big move. Planning intentionally for 2025 means being proactive, networking strategically, and staying open to unexpected opportunities that align with your long-term vision.
Lessons Learned around Blogging and Creativity
This is a super vulnerable moment, but I think it’s important to share. In August I recorded my first ever blogging course! It was the perfect time because my traffic was skyrocketing. I had mastered the SEO game, earned more ad revenue, and was gaining recognition from other publications.
I got so comfortable, started feeling myself and missed out on something big. While focusing so much on how well SEO was improving my organic traffic, I dropped the ball on sending my weekly newsletter, posting regularly on social media, and pinning to pinterest with each blog post.
I relied so much on SEO not realizing how much that was making my site dependent on Google’s algorithm. HUGE mistake, babes. After the August Google update, I basically lost all of my traffic. Yea man, all of it. Talk about a downward spiral, mental meltdown? That was me. How could I launch my blogging course while my blog was on life support? It was devastating.
If you’re a new blogger, take note of these lessons learned, because trust me, you don’t want to make the same mistakes.
How to Revive a Blog and Regain Motivation
- Do Your Research & Site Audits: Don’t skip the deep dives into your site. Regular audits are crucial to catch any issues early—technical problems or SEO mistakes that could be holding you back.
- Think broken links, slow pages, or anything that messes with the user experience or SEO rankings. Fix it and fix it fast.
- Dive Into Traffic Analysis: Look at your traffic data like you’re solving a mystery. Where’s it coming from? Which posts are killing it, and which ones are crickets? Know where you stand.
- Don’t rely solely on SEO for blog traffic: SEO is powerful, but it’s unpredictable. Putting all your trust in Google’s algorithm can leave you scrambling if a sudden update derails your hard work. Always have a backup plan.
- Leverage multiple avenues to grow your blog: Pair SEO with strategies like email marketing, consistent social media posts, and platforms like Pinterest. A well-rounded approach ensures your content reaches a wider audience and safeguards your blog’s success.
- Revisit Your Why: Go back to why you started in the first place. Sometimes reconnecting with your initial passion can reignite that spark and remind you of your bigger purpose. I had to go back to the basics and start creating the content I love to create regardless of what the traffic looked like.
- Remaining consistent and remembering that The Nerd Bae is more than just a blog—it’s a space for millennial and Gen Z women ready to level up in their careers, love lives, and everything in between. It’s about creating the kind of resource I wish I had when I was on my own level-up journey.
- While you’re working to fix things, don’t lose sight of your why. Keep pushing forward. The bumps along the way are part of the ride, but they don’t dictate where you’re headed. Stay grounded in your purpose and keep showing up. Your consistency will pay off—just trust the process.
Lessons Learned around Prioritizing Balance Without Sacrificing Ambition
Finding balance is tricky as is, but prioritizing balance is a whole different beast! Going too hard on your goals can lead to burnout and too much down time can make you feel like you’re losing momentum.
Here’s how I created space for growth in 2024 and how I’m carrying it into 2025
I listened to my body: Rest is not a reward; it’s essential. Taking breaks, prioritizing sleep, and unplugging when needed are non-negotiables, even for the most ambitious goals.
Set boundaries with clarity: Whether it’s work, friends, or your passion, saying “no” to things that don’t align with your priorities creates space for what truly matters.
Plan with intention: Map out your goals but leave room for flexibility. Weekly check-ins with your to-do list and long-term vision can keep you on track without overwhelming yourself.
Be intentional about self-care: Solo dates, prayer, and diving into interests that spark joy aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re the fuel that keeps you going.
Pace yourself with grace: You don’t have to conquer everything at once. Celebrate small wins, learn from setbacks, and remind yourself that slow progress is still progress.
Let go of perfectionism: It’s okay to pivot, adjust timelines, or step back when something feels off. Ambition is powerful, but balance is what keeps it sustainable.
Balance isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal—it’s a constant practice of tuning into what you need, when you need it. By prioritizing rest, setting boundaries, and staying intentional with your plans, you can chase your goals without running yourself into the ground. For 2025, I’m doubling down on these lessons, embracing progress over perfection, and making space for both ambition and ease. Because the real glow-up happens when you honor yourself along the way.
How to Reflect on Your Own Lessons from 2024
Taking a moment to reflect on the past year is the ultimate setup for walking into 2025 with clarity and purpose. Here’s a simple guide to help you pull out the lessons from 2024, own your wins, and get intentional about your next moves.
Start with These 3 Questions to Evaluate Your Year
Grab your favorite journal (or open your notes app if you’re more of a digital babe) and dive into these prompts:
- What worked well for you in 2024? Think about the wins that had you doing a little happy dance. What habits, strategies, or mindset shifts made those moments possible?
- What was your biggest challenge, and how did you handle it? Break it down—how did you push through? What lessons came out of that struggle that can carry you forward?
- What’s one thing you’d do differently moving forward? No judgment, just honesty. What adjustments could you make to move smarter, not harder?
A Simple Goal-Setting Framework for 2025
Let’s not just set vibes for 2025—let’s set goals. Use the SMART framework to make them count:
- Specific: Define what you really want. Instead of “save money,” try “put $200 a month into my emergency fund.”
- Measurable: How will you know you’re winning? Add numbers or milestones to keep track.
- Achievable: Keep it real with yourself—go big, but not so big that it feels impossible.
- Relevant: Make sure your goals actually matter to where you’re trying to go. No wasted energy here.
- Time-Bound: Give yourself a deadline. Whether it’s weekly, monthly, or by year’s end, accountability is key.
Reflection + intentional goal-setting = the perfect formula for a successful 2025. Let’s get to it.
10 Goal Setting Hacks for Busy Professionals – The Nerd Bae
Lessons to Take into 2025 and Beyond
Setting Intentions vs. Resolutions: Why It Matters
Honestly, resolutions can feel like a trap. You start the year with a mile-long list of “new year, new me” goals, only to burn out by February. Here’s the truth: intentions hit differently. Intentions focus on how you want to feel and grow, not just what you want to check off.
- Resolutions are about hard outcomes: “Lose 10 pounds,” “Get a promotion,” or “Stop procrastinating.”
- Intentions, on the other hand, center around the process: “Prioritize my health,” “Step into leadership,” or “Show up more consistently.”
Key lessons learned: Intentions give you room to pivot, grow, and measure success in a way that feels sustainable. Instead of being tied to a rigid plan, you’re setting a vibe and building habits that align with who you’re becoming.
Your First Steps for Making 2025 Your Best Year Yet
Let’s ditch the pressure and start with what actually works. Here’s a breakdown to get you moving toward your best year yet:
- Focus on one goal at a time: Spreading yourself thin is a recipe for burnout. Pick a priority, lock in, and crush it. Then move to the next.
- Celebrate small wins: Whether it’s nailing your morning routine for a week or finishing that one lingering project, acknowledge the progress you’re making.
- Build habits, not just plans: It’s the daily actions that create the big changes. Think less about the “end result” and more about what you can do today.
The lessons learned from 2024 should fuel your intentions, not your doubts. Step into 2025 with clarity and confidence—one intentional step at a time.
