Countdown to the End of 2025: 25 to Feel Alive Challenge

For the whole of December, and to close out 2025, I am doing a “25 to feel alive” challenge. And no, this isn’t some hard challenge to push to achieve some goals before the year’s end. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I’ve achieved all goals and achievements I could imagine and more this year.

So now it’s time to just be, but with intention and from a place of health, to set myself up for a healthy winter hibernation in January and February.

Why 25?

Firstly, it rhythms! I like a catchy title so this worked.

Secondly, I did think about doing 30 mins a day for 30 days, for it to be a monthlong challenge, but that didn’t fully work for me. December is about gentleness and winding down, so I thought why not make it 25 days instead? This way, it allows room for imperfections. That you can miss a day and that’s okay. As long as you get the 25 by the end of the year.

And of course, it’s also symbolic. The year is 2025 so to end that year, why not do 25 mins of activities or habits that we have slipped up on throughout the year for the last 25 days? End 2025 with 25 days of intentional action and joy.

Makes total sense to me!

I have chosen just two activities/habits for this challenge. I recommend that if you’re joining me, you don’t try to do more than three. The reason I have chosen these two is because they are the healthy habits that I have neglected the most throughout the year, so it made sense to focus on those at the year’s end.

Here’s a habit tracker you can use for this challenge if you’re interested!

25 mins of reflection

This first part of the challenge is about reflecting in any way that feels appropriate. I haven’t journaled a lot lately, so I want to spend some dedicated time doing this. Reflect on my goals. Reflect on my achievements. Reflect on any lessons learned or relearned. Reflect on what my intentions are for 2026.

This also means meditation or mindful walking (no music or audiobook and not just a rushed dog walk). It can also be deep intentional conversations with safe-space people.

Reflection for me is a crucial part of any goal or year. How can you plan effectively or improve if you never pause to reflect on what worked and what didn’t?

25 mins of movement

I have felt like my fitness levels have significantly dipped since the middle of the year, and so it’s important for me to correct this. Winter may be a time when people want to curl up and do nothing, but I know this would be a slippery slope for me this year. As I no longer work in a school and now spend most of my time sitting, hibernating too early or too often could have a significant affect on my health.

Naturally, it’s therefore important that I dedicate time to moving my body actively every single day. This doesn’t have to be intense movement, but I want to actively know that I’ve set a timer and worked out for at least 25 mins every day. Ideally, I also want to ensure I am moving routinely. Doing great workouts for 25+ minutes is nice and all, but not if you spend the rest of the day sat at your desk! Those moments in-between are the most important. I really took my natural activity in my last job for granted.

• Walk outside
• Nike app workouts
• Power or strength yoga
• YouTube workouts
• Home equipment workouts

I mostly want to focus on mobility and functional movement. I want my body to feel loose and nimble. I want to be able to move in any and all ways possible; to get back to my primal movements, the way a human being was designed to move!

What are your intentions for December and ending 2025?

Sincerely,

S. xx