How I Plan On Making This Year ‘My Year”

Though we refer to it as a “new year,” the reality is that the days are, in many ways, just a continuation of the ones that came before. What happens is that the Earth completes its rotation around the sun, and in doing so, we mark the passage of time—what we call a new year. But the reality is that the calendar doesn’t magically reset; the same challenges, opportunities, and moments from last year are still present.

However, there’s value in embracing this sense of a new beginning. A new year offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset our mindset. It’s a moment when we can decide to take deliberate action, to reframe our goals, and to approach the year ahead with renewed energy and perspective. While the days themselves may be the same, the intention we bring to them can make all the difference.

I choose to embrace this moment, not as a clean slate, but as a powerful opportunity for intentional growth. This is why I’m making five deliberate choices to guide me through this year—choices that will shape how I look back and say, “Yes, this year was truly better than the last. This was indeed My Year“

1. This Year Is Mine to Shape

It may sound simple, but I’ve come to realize how powerful it is to speak life over my life. I’m discovering just how powerful words and thoughts can be. The Bible verse in Proverbs 18:21 reminds me that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” So, I’m choosing to speak greatness over my year. I’ve written it in my journal, I repeat it in prayer, and I share it with friends. By consistently reminding myself of this, I’m fueling my passion to see my goals through. It’s more than just positive thinking—speaking out faith sets the tone for everything I do.

2. I Choose Peace Over Panic

Life has a way of throwing surprises at us

I’ve lived through enough years to know that challenges show up unannounced. But peace, I’ve learned, isn’t the absence of problems; it’s an internal state of trust and rest, even when storms rage outside.

Isaiah 26:3 encourages me: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” So, this year, I’m training my heart to keep its eyes on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. When I feel worry creeping in, I pause, pray, and remind myself of who He is. Stress may knock, but it doesn’t have to make itself at home in my heart.

3. I’m Leveling Up—Mind and Spirit

Where I want to be tomorrow depends on how I grow today.

If I want better results, I need to grow beyond what I already know. That means reading good books, listening to valuable teachings, and surrounding myself with people who motivate me to do better. Above all, I realize I’m primarily a spirit-being; nurturing my spirit is the foundation for every other area of my life.

So, I’m committing to consistent prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with God this year. When my spirit is healthy, everything else falls into place. I make fewer careless mistakes, and my decisions align more closely with God’s will. This is where real transformation begins.

4. I’m Taking Charge of My Time

Time is precious, and we’re all given the same 24 hours each day. It’s how I use those hours that will distinguish a productive year from a wasted one. I know my personal time-stealers—social media, random distractions, unnecessary errands—and I’m being proactive about limiting them.

Ephesians 5:15–16 reads, “See then that ye walk circumspectly…redeeming the time.” I’m taking that seriously by scheduling my days, setting boundaries around digital usage, and prioritizing tasks that help me grow and serve others. I don’t want a single day to slip away without meaning.

5. I’m Committing to Consistency

It’s easy to start the year strong but then lose momentum somewhere down the road. I’ve been there—abandoned goals, missed opportunities—but I’m determined this time around. Even if I slip up for a day or a week, I’ll pick myself back up and keep going. True progress often happens in the messy middle, and consistency is what propels me forward when motivation fades.

I’m taking baby steps each day: working on my tasks, checking in on my progress, and celebrating the little wins. The more consistent I become, the more I build lasting habits. And those habits pave the way to genuine success.

Wrapping Up

I can’t predict every twist and turn the year will bring, but I can control my mindset and actions. By shaping my year with intention, prioritizing peace, seeking growth, redeeming my time, and staying consistent, I’m positioning myself to look back and say, “This was truly my year.”

I’d love to hear how you’re seizing these days, too! Share your thoughts or plans in the comments below, and let’s cheer each other on as we make the most of every moment.

May your year be filled with God’s peace, purpose, and abundant blessings!

— From my heart to yours,

Journal of a Jesus Girl