Five Powerful Words to Inspire Your 2025

At the start of each year, I choose a word as my mantra, telling myself this year will be THE one. And every year has always brought something special for me; although 2024 was filled with different obstacles, it was a transformative year! I do believe that we have a lot of power in dictating our path through our mind. So for the new year, I want to share with you five words that will help me start and continue the year on a great note.

1. My Mom's Wisdom

Whenever I talk to my mom and she hears that I'm feeling a bit tired, she always says 心情愉快 (Xīnqíng yúkuài), which means "happy mood." She believes that if you start thinking happy thoughts, your body and mind will follow. This mindset helps me stay cheerful and get through tough times more easily. It's like practicing gratitude every day, doing things I love, and keeping a positive outlook.

2. The Danish Secret to a Happier Home

When I first moved to Copenhagen, I was struck by how cozy the city felt with its charming coffee shops and twinkling street lights. Just as important as maintaining a positive outlook is creating a space where you feel completely at ease. Hygge is all about building a warm, inviting atmosphere and savoring life’s simple pleasures with loved ones. This year, I’m dedicating myself to embracing more moments of hygge, spending time with dear friends and family—lighting candles, brewing warm drinks, and turning my home into a haven of comfort.

3. Just Step Outside

Ut på tur, aldri sur (Norwegian) means "out on a hike, never grumpy" and reminds me of the joys of being outdoors. Something I share with my partner is our joy of taking a daily walk together. It doesn't have to be in the nature, but can also be in the city where we simply visit a local coffee shop. Walking and fresh air really helps us clear our minds and let go of daily inconveniences. We also try to disconnect during this time, and not check our phones. However this year, I plan to do more spend more time in nature.

4. Exploring the French Joy of Living

Joie de vivre translates to "joy of living," and it's all about embracing life with enthusiasm and happiness. My family expresses love through food and acts of service, always ready to lend a helping hand or drive me wherever I need to go. This year, I'm planning to cherish more time with them, savoring life's little pleasures and indulging a bit myself. I'm particularly excited about planning another mother-son trip to help her discover new places.

5. Finding Your Purpose

生き甲斐 (Ikigai) is a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being." This concept has changed my life and helped me look for opportunities beyond my 9-5 (check my video). This year, I even bought the hardcover book and will be revisiting the concept. Ikigai means aligning what I love, what I'm good at, what the world needs, and what I can be paid for. For me, this shop is at the intersection of what my Ikigai and I hope to build several projects similar to this one to help even more people find peace via my art.

I hope these words inspire and guide you throughout 2025. Do you have any special words or phrases that resonate with you for the new year? Feel free to share them in the comments below!