5 Things to Let Go of Before the New Year

The New Year is approaching and if you’re like me, you’re ready to drop the dead weight and march into 2025 like the boss you are! Queue up ‘Let it Go’ – Elsa style!

Now is the perfect time to hit “reset” and let go of what’s no longer serving us.

Whether it’s physical clutter, bad habits, or draining relationships, saying “peace out” can create space for a more focused, intentional, and fulfilling year ahead. 

In this blog, I will share five things you should let go of by December 31st. This will help you enter the new year with clarity, purpose, and the drive to achieve your goals. Think of it as your end-of-year reset!

Ready to make a change and start fresh? Let’s go!

1. Trying to Do it All

Listen, I get it. I’m the queen of “doing all the things,” and my husband teases me about it regularly. 

But here’s the tea: actually doing everything leads to burnout, and we’re NOT about that life. We’re about reducing stress.

Take time to clarify what we NEED to do. Not your wish list, not the fantasy Pinterest board of to-dos. Just the essentials: the tasks that move the needle forward.

Let’s cut the noise, grab a planner, make a priority list and then SLAY IT! Grab my daily routine planner PDF to help prioritize your day!

I want you to enter 2025 spending more time on planning. That way, our execution of those tasks and implementation will be a million times more effective. Check out Raney Day Connect to manage your to-do list!

When I’ve taken the time to prep myself, I appear better, I feel more focused, and I get more done. It’s not just a theory: I’ve seen it play out in real-time.

So, if you want to accomplish more, take a step back from the constant hustle. I’m not saying there aren’t seasons where you’ve got to grind it out; we’ve all been there. But here’s the deal: hustling without a plan? That’s when we’re just bouncing from one thing to the next, draining our energy and losing momentum.

Instead, hustle with a plan. When you prepare and execute with intention, it’s like throwing gasoline on a fire! Your momentum skyrockets, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish. Build your intentional drive.

2. Living Without Intention

Unintentional living is like scrolling on your phone for hours and realizing you’ve wasted an entire afternoon. We’ve all been there.

In 2025, we’re not fluttering from one thing to the next half-heartedly. Nope. We’re setting daily intentions:

• What am I focusing on?
• How do I want to feel today?
• How am I showing up in the world?

When we align our actions with purpose, we stop wasting time and our God-given talents and start appearing like we mean it. This life is too precious for haphazard living. Capture every moment and own it.

I promise you will feel so much more fulfilled in the new year.

3. Things That are Not an “H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks” Yes

Raise your hand if you’ve ever committed to something that made you want to scream into a pillow later. Same.

In 2025, we’re saying “NO” (yes, it’s a complete sentence) to anything that doesn’t light us up. 

If a meeting request is boring, it’s not worth attending. A dull social media project isn’t worth your time. If a volunteer job doesn’t excite you, it’s not worth doing. If it’s not a strong yes, it’s a no.

Your energy is sacred. Save it for the things that matter and set your soul on fire.

I promise that the more you say no, the easier it will become. Stop wasting time on things that don’t matter. Focus your energy on what truly excites you.

Will every day be rainbows? No. But if we fill our schedule and our lives with things that fill us up and that bring us joy, then you’ll find a fuller life well-lived.

4. People Who Drag You Down

Ever heard the phrase “birds of a feather flock together?” 

It’s a saying that means people with similar interests, values, or characteristics tend to associate with each other. 

You might notice that people who enjoy the same hobbies, like playing sports or reading, often form friendships because they have common ground.

Similarly, individuals with similar mindsets, whether in business or personal values, often connect and build relationships.

You can say the same for people who bring you down. Science backs this up: surround yourself with negative, stuck-in-their-ways folks, and guess what? You’ll start feeling the same way.

Now, I’m not saying ghost everyone who annoys you. But if someone consistently drains your energy and doesn’t add value to your life, it’s time for a little distance. As one wise boss once told me, “If it’s not adding value, it’s taking it away.” Whether it’s friends, family members, co-workers – don’t let it affect your mental health.

Bless them, release them, and move on. You can be kind, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick around.

5. Clutter

Let’s talk about clutter. For me, clutter isn’t just physical—it’s mental. When I see piles of paper, random knick-knacks, or a desk that looks like a tornado hit it, my stress level skyrockets.

A cluttered home? Cluttered mind. 

A cluttered desk? Cluttered work ethic. 

Trust me, the chaos you see spills over into your brain, and before you know it, you’re overwhelmed, distracted, and struggling to focus.

Here’s the goal for 2025: let’s get rid of the piles, the junk drawers, and the “I’ll deal with it later” piles. When you create a clean, organized space, you’re giving your mind room to breathe and your energy the freedom to flow. (Hello, Marie Kondo!)

When you set goals and start decluttering, you’ll be amazed at the difference in your life! Starting small is the way to go. Take time to reflect on each physical space in your home and work on one area at a time.

If that’s too overwhelming, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you declutter and organize.

This is your year to clean up your home. Focus on what matters most. Live a life that feels good inside and looks good outside.

Are you ready to take 2025 by storm? Let’s do this.

What are you letting go of before the New Year? Tell me in the comments! I’d love to cheer you on!