Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
It’s the first week of 2025, and I hope you’ve all had a moment to pause, reflect, and maybe even catch your breath. If not, consider this your reminder to take a beat because, trust me, I’m learning that life isn’t all about the “go-go-go.”
In my last blog of 2024, I shared my tradition of choosing a word to live by for the year. It’s my way of setting an intention, a guiding principle that shapes my actions and keeps me grounded when life gets life-y. My word for 2024 was “Recovery”— What that turned out to be - serving hope and healing to people and families dealing with cancer.
But as the new year rolled in, I found myself without a word for 2025. Let’s be real, choosing the right word is no joke. It’s like finding the perfect pair of jeans; you’ve got to try a few before landing on the one that fits just right.
I flirted with words like impact, success, and even recovery (again), but nothing felt quite right. Then, last night, after a week of new-year limbo, my word came to me like a nudge from the universe.
Drumroll, please…
2025 is my year of “completion.”
The Aha Moment
Picture this: It’s a quiet evening, and I’m taking stock of my long list of commitments from 2024. If you know me, you know I dream big, aim high, and go all in. Last year was no exception.
Here’s the highlight reel:
Launched an award-winning, #1 international best-seller book and a National Cancer Hero Day fundraising campaign as an official partner of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Sent a copy of Cancer Heroes to HRH, Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Wales, and received a beautiful letter of acknowledgment from her Royal office!
Contributed a juicy chapter to Actor Pat Labez’s inspiring book - Third Act Encore!
Made it to the Times Square Billboard twice!
Won three awards – Remarkable Mother Award, Top Life Transformation Coach, and Women of Inspiration Inspire Award.
Attended my school reunion in NYC
Juggled a whirlwind of projects tied to my book’s vision – from podcasts to author signing events to interviews by the Press.
(Not including the list of daily chores that come with the responsibility of being a mom of 4 children with 3 of them being high school teenagers!)
That’s a pretty impressive list, right? But let’s talk about what didn’t happen.
I didn’t complete the documentary film based on my book.
I didn’t launch the revised edition of another book.
I didn’t finish the book I committed to write with Balboa.
My 2023 promise to run a 10k? Still pending.
Oh, and let’s not forget the card deck, tote bags, skating lessons, bike lessons, silk screen printing, family vacation, TED Talk prep, and the mountain of books I swore I’d read.
Raise your hand if you’re laughing with me right now because this list sounds eerily familiar.
Why Do We Do This to Ourselves?
Seriously, what drives us to overcommit?
I know for me, it’s a cocktail of ambition, excitement, and a sprinkle of people-pleasing. I genuinely want to do all the things! But there’s also that nagging fear of slowing down—of shifting from the perpetual motion of “do-do-do” to the stillness of “just be.”
Admit it: The idea of having nothing on your plate is terrifying. What would you even do with the silence?
Well, here’s what I’m discovering: The pause isn’t a punishment. It’s a gift.
The Power of “Completion”
This year, I’m embracing completion as my guiding star.
Why? Because unfinished business weighs us down. It takes up space in my head. It’s like carrying a backpack stuffed with rocks. Every unfulfilled promise—whether to yourself or someone else—is another pebble. Before you know it, you’re trudging through life, wondering why you feel so tired.
2025, numerologically, is a number 9 year (2+0+2+5=9), and in angel numbers, 9 represents completion. Coincidence? I think not. The universe is practically screaming, “Finish what you started!”
Less Is More
Here’s my game plan:
Narrow the List
I’m focusing on a handful of priorities—no more sprawling to-do lists
Mastery Over Mediocrity
Instead of juggling 10 projects at 50%, I’ll pour 100% into a few. Quality over quantity, baby!
Say No to New Commitments
This is the hard part. I’ve realized that every “yes” to something new is a “no” to something unfinished.
What About You?
Now, I know I’m not alone in this. How many of you have projects, dreams, or goals gathering dust on your mental shelf?
Maybe it’s the novel you started writing three Januarys ago. Or the fitness goal you’ve been “revisiting” since 2019. Or that awkward phone call you’ve been avoiding because, well, avoidance feels easier.
Let me ask you:
What’s stopping you?
What are you afraid of?
What are you resisting?
The Invitation
This year, I’m inviting you to join me in making 2025 your year of completion.
Take a moment to reflect on your own list. What’s one thing you’ve been procrastinating on that, if completed, would make you feel lighter?
And hey, let’s keep each other accountable. In my last blog, I offered a free spot in my program to the first 10 people who shared their word of the year in the comments. Some of you took me up on it (yay!), but if you didn’t, what’s holding you back?
A Little Humor
Look, I get it. The idea of “completion” isn’t exactly sexy. It’s not as thrilling as “success,” “freedom,” or “adventure.” But you know what? Completion is sneaky-sexy.
After months of walking past a pile of flat-pack frustration, it's like finally putting together that IKEA bookshelf. You step back, admire your handiwork, and think, “Damn, I’m amazing.”
Completion is about reclaiming your energy, proving to yourself that you can follow through, and making space for new possibilities.
Final Thoughts
2025 is a clean slate, my friends. Let’s make it count by finishing what we started. Because when we complete our commitments, we not only honor our word—we honor ourselves.
So, here’s to a year of lightening our loads, clearing our paths, and showing ourselves what we’re truly capable of.
What’s your word of the year? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Let’s make this our year of completion together.
With love, laughter, and a healthy dose of sarcasm,
Shirin
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