25 Insightful Questions to Ask Before Planning Your 2025 Goals & Intentions

January is the time when we have the opportunity to set the foundation for a Meaningful 2025.

The start of a new year is charged with possibility. The blank pages of the calendar ahead invite us to imagine, dream, and plan. But before we dive headfirst into setting 2025 goals and intentions, it’s worth taking a step back. True growth comes not from rushing into action but from pausing first to ask yourself the right questions—those that prompt clarity, self-awareness, and purpose.

The questions we ask ourselves can shape the way we see the world and our place in it. They help us uncover what truly matters, acknowledge where we’ve been, and define where we want to go. By embracing this process of inquiry, we move beyond surface-level resolutions to create goals and intentions that resonate deeply with who we are and who we want to become.

This year, let’s prioritise intention over haste, creating balance and flow over hustle, forcing & exhaustion. Instead of merely checking off tasks or chasing goals because we feel we should let’s craft a path that feels authentic and energising.

To do this, it’s helpful to reflect on our past experiences, understand our current priorities, and visualise the future we hope to create.

The 25 insightful questions in this guide are designed to spark those reflections. They’ll challenge you to look inward, celebrate your strengths, identify your opportunities for growth, and align your goals with your values. Some questions may feel familiar, others may push you out of your comfort zone, but each one is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself and what you truly want in 2025.

Consider this process a conversation with yourself. Grab a notebook, find a quiet spot, and approach these questions with curiosity and kindness. You don’t have to answer them all in one sitting—let them simmer in your thoughts or revisit them as you plan your year. The aim isn’t perfection but progress, insight, and alignment with what makes your life meaningful.

By starting with these questions, you’re setting a strong foundation for the year ahead. You’ll gain clarity about your intentions, feel more confident about your choices, and create a roadmap that reflects both your dreams and your reality. Whether your goals are big or small, focused on work, relationships, health, or personal growth, these questions will help you chart a path that feels purposeful and achievable.

So, let’s begin this journey together. Take a deep breath, grab your favourite pen, and get ready to explore what 2025 could hold for you. After all, the best way to predict the future is to create it—one thoughtful question at a time.

25 Insightful Questions to Ask Yourself Before Planning Your 2025 Goals and Intentions

What am I most proud of from the past year?

Reflection on achievements—big or small—helps you recognise your growth and strengths. Celebrating these moments creates a positive mindset as you plan for the year ahead.

What were my biggest challenges, and what did I learn from them?

Acknowledging challenges provides valuable lessons and insights. Understanding how you navigated difficulties can help you build resilience and improve your problem-solving skills.

What brought me the most joy this year?

Identifying moments of joy highlights what truly matters to you. This helps you design a year filled with experiences that align with your values and passions.

What drained my energy in 2024?

Pinpointing energy-drainers allows you to make intentional changes. By reducing or eliminating these factors, you can create space for more fulfilling activities.

What habits served me well?

Good habits are the foundation of long-term success. Reflecting on what worked ensures you carry these positive behaviours into 2025.

What habits held me back?

Recognising unhelpful habits is the first step toward replacing them with healthier, more supportive routines.

What relationships added value to my life?

Relationships play a key role in our happiness and growth. Identifying meaningful connections allows you to nurture them further.

What relationships felt one-sided or draining?

It’s important to set boundaries with relationships that no longer serve you. This creates room for healthier dynamics and self-respect.

What am I most grateful for right now?

Gratitude shifts your focus to abundance and positivity. Starting your planning process from a place of gratitude sets a tone of optimism and contentment.

What values are most important to me?

Clarifying your core values ensures your goals are aligned with what truly matters, making them more meaningful and motivating.

Where do I want to grow the most this year?

Growth requires focus. Identifying the area where you’d like to improve helps you channel your energy effectively.

What skills do I want to learn or strengthen?

Skill-building enhances your confidence and expands your opportunities. Choose skills that excite and challenge you.

What does success look like for me in 2025?

Defining success on your own terms prevents you from chasing external validation. Your version of success should feel authentic and satisfying.

What does balance look like in my life?

Life isn’t all about achieving—it’s also about enjoying. Understanding what balance means to you helps you prioritise self-care and well-being.

What is one fear I want to overcome?

Facing fears fosters growth and courage. Identifying one fear to tackle this year can lead to significant personal breakthroughs.

What’s one thing I’ve been putting off that I’m ready to prioritise?

We all have something lingering on our to-do lists. Committing to it now clears mental clutter and builds momentum.

What are my financial goals for 2025?

Money impacts many areas of life. Setting clear financial goals helps you feel more secure and intentional with your resources.

How can I contribute to my community or the world?

Giving back creates a sense of purpose. Finding a cause or way to contribute makes your year more fulfilling.

What brings me a sense of flow or fulfilment?

Activities that make you lose track of time are often tied to your passions. Incorporating these into your goals increases joy and engagement.

What’s one area of my life I’d like to simplify?

Simplification reduces overwhelm. Identifying where you can streamline creates space for more of what matters.

How do I want to feel at the end of 2025?

Visualising your desired feelings guides your actions and ensures your goals align with your emotional wellbeing.

What’s one thing I’m curious about exploring?

Curiosity keeps life exciting. Pursuing something new fuels creativity and opens doors to unexpected opportunities.

What kind of self-care practices will support me this year?

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Planning practices that recharge you ensures you have the energy to pursue your goals.

What boundaries do I need to set?

Boundaries protect your time, energy, and mental health. Identifying where you need them helps you stay focused and empowered.

What’s my “why” for 2025?

Understanding your “why” connects your goals to your deeper purpose. This clarity keeps you motivated and on track throughout the year.

By answering these questions thoughtfully, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go. The process itself can be just as valuable as the goals you set, creating a more intentional and fulfilling 2025.

Plus here are 25 bonus questions from a holistic, herbal, and seasonal perspective to help you connect more deeply with nature, yourself and the seasons

What season of life are you in right now—spring, summer, autumn, or winter?

Understanding your internal “season” helps you set goals that align with where you are, whether it’s growth, rest, harvest, or letting go.

What did the natural seasons teach you in 2024?

Reflecting on nature’s rhythms helps you integrate its wisdom into your own life. Did you notice how spring inspired growth or winter called you to rest?

Where do you feel the most out of sync with the seasons, and why?

Identifying disconnects can guide you to realign your habits, routines, and intentions for balance and flow.

What does “living seasonally” mean to you personally?

Your definition of seasonal living shapes how you’ll approach your goals. Is it eating seasonally, resting more, or connecting to natural rhythms?

What plants or herbs supported you most in the past year, and why?

Herbs mirror our needs. If chamomile brought calm or nettles gave you energy, they might offer insight into your current state.

What plants, foods, or remedies are calling to you for 2025?

Your body and intuition may already know what you need next—whether it’s warming roots, calming nervines, or energising tonics.

Where did you experience true rest and restoration this year?

Rest is often overlooked but essential. Knowing where you recharged (e.g. forest walks or herbal teas) reveals what to prioritise next year.

How can you honour winter’s invitation to slow down as the new year begins?

Winter holds the energy of stillness and reflection—embracing it now sets you up for purposeful action later.

What habits or commitments are no longer in harmony with your current values?

Letting go creates space for new growth, much like pruning plants or shedding autumn leaves.

What part of your daily or seasonal routine feels nourishing? What feels draining?

Assessing your routine helps you keep the practices that restore you and ditch the ones that deplete you.

How can you plan more “seasonal pauses” in 2025—moments to reflect, rest, or realign?

We all need intentional timeouts to check in, whether at equinoxes, solstices, or simply monthly.

Which natural cycles—moon phases, seasons, or herbal cycles—do you want to align with more deeply?

Natural rhythms offer structure and flow. Choose one to guide your goals.

What feels “ripe” for harvest or celebration from this past year?

Acknowledging achievements—big or small—grounds you and shows progress, much like gathering fruits from a year’s effort.

Where are you craving growth and expansion in 2025?

Spring energy will come. Knowing where you want to grow helps you nurture the seeds ahead of time.

What does the word “balance” look like for you in 2025?

Balance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Does it mean rest-work harmony, mindful eating, or deeper connection with nature?

How can you nourish your body in ways that shift with each season?

Our needs change seasonally. Warm stews in winter, leafy greens in spring, and cooling herbs in summer can support you.

What self-care practices feel most aligned with each season of the year?

Herbal baths, tea rituals, or morning walks? Aligning self-care with seasons ensures it remains supportive and fresh.

How did your energy ebb and flow over the past year? What patterns do you notice?

Recognising energy peaks and dips helps you plan goals in harmony with your natural cycles.

Which seasonal traditions or rituals brought you joy and meaning this year?

Honouring traditions—like solstice gatherings or autumn gratitude rituals—creates anchors in your year.

What small daily or weekly practices can help you stay connected to nature?

A short walk, foraging, herbal tea-making—small actions cultivate connection year-round.

Which elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air—feel out of balance for you right now?

Imbalances in elements (e.g., too much fire = burnout) can point to shifts needed in your energy and goals.

How can you bring more herbal wisdom into your daily life next year?

Growing herbs, making remedies, or simply sipping tea deepens your relationship with plants and supports wellbeing.

What would it mean for you to truly embrace “slowing down” in 2025?

Slowing down creates space for intentional choices. How can you let go of “busy” to move at a natural pace?

What kind of seasonal “structure” feels right for your goals—flexible, cyclical, or linear?

Some goals thrive in a linear structure, while others flow better with seasons or cycles. Choose what fits you.

How can you cultivate gratitude for the shifts and changes each season brings?

Gratitude anchors you in the present moment, helping you honour the constant flow of change in life and nature.

Why These Questions Matter:

These questions aren’t just about setting goals; they’re about creating intentions that are deeply in tune with your personal rhythms, the cycles of nature, and the support of plants and seasons. They help you reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go—without forcing progress but allowing it to grow naturally.

By looking at life holistically, you can plan a year that feels aligned, meaningful, and sustainable. Think of it like tending a garden: some seasons are for planting, some for growing, and others for resting. Your goals and intentions can flow in much the same way.

Happy new chapter friends,

xo Emily