How to Truly Come Alive in 2025

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we often hold ourselves back without even realizing it. A brilliant idea flickers to life in our minds, only to be smothered by our thoughts. This won’t work. Who am I to think I can do this? I’ve been there, and I’ve seen it happen to so many others. Before we’ve even begun, we’ve already shut the door on possibilities. This tendency to let fear and negative thinking drive our decisions is precisely what keeps us from truly coming alive.

But what would happen if, for just one day, or even a week, we stayed open instead? What if we didn’t buy into the inner critic, even temporarily, and simply listened? Not to the loud, judgmental voice that tries to protect us from risk, but to the quiet, expansive whispers of what wants to come through. That whisper might lead to a new idea, a surprising opportunity, or a fresh perspective you’ve never considered before.

Opening Up to Infinite Possibilities

Coming alive isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about making space for the answers to reveal themselves. It means being open to nothingness—the vast, fertile void from which creativity, inspiration, and new beginnings often arise. This openness is not passive; it’s deeply intentional. It requires us to sit with discomfort, lean into uncertainty, and trust that what is meant for us will find us if we are truly present.

What if the goal wasn’t to avoid fear or banish negative thoughts but to acknowledge them without letting them dictate our actions? Fear doesn’t have to mean stop. It can simply mean pause, breathe, and then proceed with curiosity. What if, instead of spinning in circles around why something won’t work, we asked, What if it does?

Being Open Without Judgment

Judgment is a creativity killer. It narrows our vision and limits our ability to explore new possibilities. But openness invites a sense of play, wonder, and experimentation. When we approach life with an open mind, we’re not clinging to a single path or outcome. Instead, we’re allowing ourselves to be guided by what feels alive and true in the moment.

Consider trying this experiment: for one day, suspend judgment about yourself, your ideas, and others. Treat each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. If something unexpected happens, instead of labeling it as “good” or “bad,” simply observe it. Notice how it feels to move through your day without the weight of self-criticism or the need to control every outcome.

Listening to What Wants to Come Through

When we’re open, we’re better able to tune into the quiet signals that guide us. That might look like an idea that keeps resurfacing, a conversation that sparks your curiosity, or even a feeling of excitement when you think about a certain possibility. What if you allowed those moments to lead you? What if you trusted that they were pointing you toward something meaningful?

This practice of listening is especially powerful when paired with stillness. In the stillness, we create space for the universe to speak—and for us to hear it. Instead of rushing to fill the void with action or noise, let’s linger in the nothingness and see what emerges.

Coming Alive in 2025

As I think about the year ahead, I feel a pull to embrace the unknown in a deeper way. To truly come alive, we need to be willing to actively invite uncertainty into our lives. For me, this means being open to possibility every day, and ready for what life has to offer. It means being courageous enough to let go of the stories and judgments that no longer serve me.

So, what would it look like for YOU to stay open this year? Maybe it’s saying yes to a project that feels a little outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s giving yourself permission to dream without immediately worrying about the “how.” Or maybe it’s simply allowing yourself to sit quietly and listen to what your heart is asking for.

In 2025, let’s make a commitment to stay open—to possibilities, to creativity, to new ways of being. Let’s allow ourselves to come alive in ways we never imagined.