The start of a new year always brings a surge of fresh energy—a sense of possibility, a chance to reset, and the hope of achieving long-held goals or becoming a better version of yourself: healthier, happier, and more fulfilled. But the concept of New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting can also come with an overwhelming amount of pressure.
Don’t get me wrong—starting the year with intentions and a clear vision for where you want to go is a powerful practice. Having a sense of direction can keep us from simply drifting along, carried by the current of life. But here’s the thing: traditional goal-setting and resolutions tend to fixate on the endpoint, often creating feelings of guilt when we stumble or slip back into our so-called "old ways."
When we approach these aspirations with the mindset of becoming a completely new person, we’re often setting ourselves up for failure. The "new year, new you" mindset implies that the "old you" is somehow flawed or broken, but nothing could be further from the truth.
I’m Esther—a TV executive, filmmaker, consultant, certified meditation teacher, and coach. Working in the high-stress entertainment industry for over 20 years has taught me the importance of finding calm in the chaos. Over the last few years, meditation and mindfulness have become my anchor, helping me manage my mind and emotions while staying grounded amid the demands of the industry. Now, alongside my work as a filmmaker, I’m passionate about sharing tools and practices to help others slow down, reset, and move through life with greater intention.
As I reflect on the past few years, I’ve moved away from rigid goals and resolutions. Instead, I use the new year as a time for reflection—a time to focus on setting intentions rather than pushing myself toward a specific outcome. The difference may seem subtle, but it’s profound. Intentions invite us to embrace the journey. They help us think about how we want to feel, not just what we want to achieve, and guide us toward a path that aligns with our values in a more compassionate way.
Shifting the focus from obsessing over the end goal to embracing the journey has been transformative for me. As I look to 2025, I know it will be a year of change—pouring more energy into my work in the personal development space, bringing greater intention to my film and TV projects, but without fixating on a specific outcome.
After all, it’s not about striving to become entirely new people this year—it’s about approaching ourselves with a little more kindness. Refining, growing, and stepping into the best version of ourselves feels far more sustainable than chasing some elusive ideal.
Here’s to 2025 bringing you everything you’re dreaming of. I’m so excited to share this new Substack journey with you—let’s see where it takes us!
Love this Esther ♥️