My theme for 2025 is “be open.”

“Be open” feels appropriate for this time in my life. I’ve slowly felt myself closing off over time.

This year, I want to inch in the other direction to be open to what could be.

Being open is about exploring possibilities. It’s about making room for new friendships and connection.

It’s about following a creative spark wherever it wants to go.

It’s about saying yes to the good without bracing for the bad.

It’s about letting go of old hurts and moving forward.

It’s about jumping into life to appreciate its awe, mystery, and wonder.

It’s about going with the spontaneity and fun that shows up in the moment.

It’s about trying something new without attachment or ideas about how it will go.

It’s about being free to fail, learn, and try again—or not.

It’s about giving up the myth that things can be controlled and relishing the freedom to not be in charge.

It’s about loving freely even though it can lead to loss.

It’s about seeing life as a blank slate, an open doorway, a breaking day to be explored.

It’s about relishing moments of joy and delight.

It’s about cultivating beauty not for utility but because it makes life rich.

It’s about letting us have our feelings, wants, and desires.

I can’t predict how the year will go, but I know I need support to help me to be more open.

I need to remember we are more similar than we are different.

I want to regularly experiment with and reflect on the ancient Toltec wisdom of Don Miguel Ruiz’s book “The Four Agreements” to help me stay the course with openness.

The “The Four Agreements” are:

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don’t take anything personally.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

4. Always do your best.

A few years ago, I came up with a fifth agreement.

5. Don’t take it on.

If I’m impeccable in my word, I won’t need to hide from my words and actions. And, when I’m not, I can own my behavior and make amends.

If I don’t take anything personally, I won’t need to guard myself. And, if I do take things personally, I can remember all behavior is understandable.

If I don’t make assumptions, I can be open to finding out. I can ask questions and discover what’s true.

If I always do my best, I can try new things, take risks, make mistakes, and keep learning.

If I don’t take it on, I won’t be held back by other’s opinions, feelings, or pressure. Instead, I can take care of my part and let others take care of theirs.

Each year, my theme shows up in different ways. I can’t wait to see where “Be open” takes me in 2025.

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Joanna Zaremba is a writer, yoga teacher, and movement and mindset coach. She helps her clients to trust themselves and their bodies. Joanna has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 2011 and can be reached at joannazaremba@gmail.com.