What I'm gifting myself for 2025

I'm a big planner.

Not sure I've mentioned that on here before a time or two-- or twelve! But I truly believe that a failure to plan is a plan to fail.

As I get older, I've learned a few things to keep the overwhelming urge to plan things to the minute down to a minimum. Life and situations have shown me REPEATEDLY that over-planning is a real thing and all it does it lead to disappointment. So, I've learned to meet myself somewhere in the middle. For vacations, for example, I tend to plan 1--maybe 2--things per day that I would really like to do. This means we can structure our day around this one "Have To" but we aren't locked into so many appointments and activities that things stop being fun.

I also take this approach when I try to plan for big or vague things.

Like my "25 for 2025" and WOTY and COTY.

25 for 2025

I have a list of goals that I would like to do in 2025. Some are easy. Some are time specific. Some have been on multiple lists over the years and yet never get done! lol By making next year's list into a game, I'm hoping I can accomplish more of the bigger things that I've put off for so long. But again, my brain has learned that not everything has to get done for the year to be a success.

WOTY

I've made my Word of the Year "Magic" because I think that level of whimsy will help me stay true to the concept of fun structure. Fans of fantasy books can tell you: there are rules you have to follow even when dealing with something as mystical and mythical as magic. The allusive can also be realized, but only if you work at it.

COTY

And now, my color of the year. It's the varying shades of blue. Think Ombre where it goes from white-blue to black-blue and all the shades in between. Some might see this as a cheat, but I swear it's not. Having a COTY really helps me with decision fatigue throughout the year. As I look to buy or replace things and I've bouncing between one or the other--with no real heavy pros or cons one way or not-- having a COTY allows me to just pick the option that lines up with my COTY.

Having an OMBRE Blue scheme means that I will actually not be choosing something just because it's blue. It will need to be multiple shades of blue or have that variant / gradient aspect to it.

This year my color was pink (also my WOTY). What did I do with that? Well, when it was time to replace my phone, I got a pink one. It's the same price as a black or red or silver... why not get pink?

When I needed a nice shirt for something, I looked at the pink ones. I ended up finding that I felt more feminine in pink than I do in my other clothes which was surprising. Now, I'm not saying I will be wearing a lot more pink in the future, but definitely willing to branch away from my bookish shirt with jeans or leggings a bit more. The Wing Leader sweatshirt will not be stashed away, hidden; no, I will wear that baby proudly! But I'll also add a bit of fun jewelry or something.

Prepping

One things I like to do as I prepare for the upcoming year is to get at least one thing that embodies my COTY and WOTY.

This year I've been really into getting office supplies. I think because I had so many months where I just didn't feel like I'd accomplished my goals as a writer or creator; but when I get online and look, I'm gravitating towards things for my office or writing.

What did I get so far?

Well.

I got a blue and white backpack that has a top opening. I've been looking for a bag of some kind that I can carry my laptop or tablet in plus a notebook and pens, that doesn't make me feel like I'm going back to high school. This bag feels professional, is classy and beautiful while still functional, and lightweight so it won't kill my back when I inevitably overfill it!

I got my favorite pens in blue. Yes. I have a favorite pen company. Currently it is the Four Candies company--I found them on the Zon. They sell packs of pens + 1 highlighter in color-coordinating sets. The ink is always black, so I don't have to worry about that, but I like the different textures of the pens' casings. They write so smoothly and don't smear. Plus, they write over whiteout tape which is a huge perk for me!

I got a Starbucks cup. I needed one for when I'm driving around since I don't like to bring glass mason jars with me and the faux-Stanley I have is sort of cumbersome for walking around. Another bonus is that it's sort of see-through so I can tell when my drink is getting low! It's the small things.

I got my favorite notebook in blue. The cover is solid not flimsy like a standard notebook, so it won't look like trash after going in and out of my new bag. It's large with a lot of sheets so I can take notes during the webinars I attend as I try to get even better at the business side of things.

My devotional for next year has a blue cover.

My mousepad is one of those Persian rugs-styled ones... in blue.

My planner is from Girls Gotta Change and is blue marble style.

I got one of those duffels that doubles as a carry-on suitcase... and it's blue. We're going on a trip next year and this will make it that much easier to travel.

I needed a new watchband for my FitBit Versa, so I just looked at blue ones and I found a really gorgeous one from a company called Fancy Bands.

What do I still need to get?

That's a great question. I have a few things I want and will be asking my family for as Christmas ideas-- the links I send them will probably be the blue versions so they don't have to think about it too much either.

The fact is, I don't know exactly what I want or need right now. But having a COTY means that as those things pop up, I will have one less decision to make when it's time to buy them.

This isn't to say I'm big on overconsumption. I don't know where I fall on that spectrum, really. I mean, the things I got will either be used up over time (the pens, notebook paper, etc) or I'll use repeatedly, maybe even daily. Some of the things I bought now were because I was already in need of them--my old daily wear watch band was falling apart; so much so that it was irritating the skin at my wrist.

What are your thoughts on these topics? Specifically the Color of the Year? What's yours? How will you show that and why did you choose it?