Introduction
I don’t know about you but for me January felt so rushed and overwhelming, that I didn’t have time to set my intentional goals for solo living for 2025. But February is the perfect time to press reset and focus on intentional goals for solo living in 2025. Setting goals isn’t something reserved just for the start of the year—whether it’s February, March, or even later, there’s always time to refocus and build the life we want.
For those embracing solo living like me, goal-setting becomes even more empowering. It’s our chance to craft a lifestyle that’s entirely our own. But with that freedom comes responsibility: it takes intention and thoughtful planning to make the most of it.
Every year, I take time to reflect, dream, and set goals that align with my values. I usually use a mix of reflection on paper and also the Notion, a flexible and visually simple platform that keeps me organized. And to make it even easier for you, I’ve created a free Intentional Living Planner. Download it here to start planning a purposeful year—no matter the month!
What Is Intentional Goals for Solo Living?
For me an Intentional living is about aligning my daily actions with my core values and focusing on what truly matters to me. Of course, this is not only for people who live alone, but living alone sometimes have more challenges, so for me having this tool it is really helpful as it’s a mindful approach to life, helping me avoid the autopilot mode where I could be constantly busy but not fulfilled. As Erica Layne beautifully explains in her book, The Minimalist Way, “You can’t focus on what matters if all you’re doing is chasing the next thing to check off your to-do list.”
For solo dwellers, intentional living means embracing your independence while creating structure and habits that support your well-being, goals, and dreams. This process isn’t limited to January—it’s a framework you can use anytime life feels off track.
My Personal Planning Process for Solo Living Goals
No matter the time of year, I follow a structured planning process that helps me stay intentional. Here’s what it looks like:
1. Create a Yearly Motto
My motto is like a personal mantra for the year—it sets the tone and serves as a compass when life gets messy. Here are some ideas for 2025:
- “Live boldly, love deeply, grow intentionally.”
- “Plant seeds of joy daily.”
- “Courage, clarity, and connection.”
For 2025, my motto is: Consistency over perfection.
Take a moment to reflect: what words will inspire and guide you through the challenges and wins of this year? Write them down. Keep them visible.
2. Define Your Focus Areas
This year, my life priorities reflect my personal growth and changing circumstances. Here are the focus areas I’ve chosen for 2025:
- Physical Health: Prioritizing strength, energy, and well-being, afterall I am 30s and it is important to strength the muscles.
- Mental Health: Staying grounded and mindful.
- Nourishing Friendships: Strength my support network after moving back to Cambridge. Even though it has been more than 1 year, I want to keep working on nourishing my friendship.
- Career: Continuing to grow in my profession with new skills.
- Financial Stability: Strengthening savings to support my long-term security.
- My Blog: Sharing my journey and connecting with other people (like you!).
By defining these areas, I ensure my energy is directed toward what truly matters.
3. Set a Priority for Each Focus Area
Once I’ve identified my focus areas, I establish at least one specific goal for each. I use the SMART Goals Framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)—a proven method for increasing success. Here’s an example of how I’ll structure 2025:
- Physical Health: Exercise 4 times a week and include yoga once a week to improve flexibility.
- Mental Health: Meditate 10 minutes per day and commit to walk at least 7K steps per day – during the lunch time or after work.
- Nourishing Friendships: Host a dinner for friends every quarter, join board game nights organized by colleagues, and schedule regular catch-ups with close friends. Since I love board games, these gatherings are a perfect opportunity to strengthen my relationships while having fun.
- Career: Enroll in a Management 3.0 training and read 3 books related to my career by the end of the year. Books I have in my list to read: Essencialism, The five dysfunctions of a team, and Lean Startup.
- Financial Stability: Add £50 on top of my CashISA monthly savings.
- My Blog: Publish two blog posts at least per month.
4. Envision Your Future Self in 2025
I like to do this exercise to guideline me in how I want to feel at the end of this year. Maybe it’s someone who feels strong and vibrant, surrounded by meaningful relationships. Or perhaps it’s someone with a thriving creative outlet.
For me, this year feels like a new chapter. Between 2023 and 2024, I was living in London and my main focus was completing my master’s degree successfully — a goal that demanded a lot of discipline and sacrifice. During that time, my priorities revolved around academics, mental health, and balancing a full-time job with my studies. Social interactions took a back seat as I worked hard to achieve this milestone and also I didn’t exercise much as I had less time available, so I used to stick to long walks around the river.
Now, in 2025, my priorities have shifted. By the end of this year, I want to be someone who feels connected to a supportive circle of friends, balanced in my personal and professional life, and confident in my creative journey with my blog. I imagine myself hosting dinners filled with laughter, joining board game nights to deepen friendships, and consistently writing content that inspires and resonates with others.
This reflection on my evolving priorities keeps me grounded and helps me align my daily choices—whether it’s prioritizing self-care, planning time with friends, or setting aside space for creative writing. Take time to visualize this version of yourself—your habits, routines, and mindset. When you’re clear about the person you’re becoming, your daily actions naturally align with that vision.
5. Break the Year Into Projects
Breaking my goals into quarterly projects makes them more manageable. Here’s how I’ve planned my first two quarters:
- Quarter 1:
- Launch a new blog series by March.
- Join a running club to meet new people and participate more of the running sessions my colleagues organise at lunch time.
- Finish the training the company I work for has available about management skills.
- Quarter 2:
- Organize a summer picnic with friends.
- Promote my blog posts on Social Media.
- Start a certification course to enhance my career skills.
This approach prevents overwhelm and keeps me focused on achieving tangible results.
6. Assess Your Life with the Wheel of Life
The Wheel of Life is a powerful visual tool to evaluate your satisfaction across key areas of your life. It’s a great way to track growth and identify areas that need more attention. Here’s a guide to using the Wheel of Life if you’re new to it.
Example:
How to Get Started with Your Goals
If you’re ready to refocus and take charge of 2025, here’s how to get started:
- Download the Free Intentional Living Planner: The planner includes templates in PDF and also Notion template to:
- Define your yearly motto.
- Identify focus areas and priorities.
- Track habits and review progress monthly.
- Draw Inspiration from Research: Books like Atomic Habits by James Clear highlight the power of small, consistent actions to create life-changing results. I highly recommed this book.
- Review and Adjust Regularly: As productivity expert Cal Newport emphasizes in Deep Work, consistent reflection is key to success. Schedule monthly check-ins to track your progress and realign with your goals.
Why Goal-Setting Is Key for Solo Living
Setting intentional goals in solo living isn’t just about productivity—it’s about creating a life that reflects our values and dreams. As Eric Klinenberg explores in Going Solo, living alone offers a unique opportunity to invest in ourself and grow in exciting ways.
Here’s how goal-setting helps:
- Reduce decision fatigue: With clear priorities, you waste less time overthinking.
- Foster personal growth: Each goal you achieve builds confidence and momentum.
- Strengthen your structure: Solo living gives you freedom—goals ensure that freedom leads somewhere meaningful.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too late to set goals and take charge of your life. Whether you’re starting in January, February, or later in the year, intentional living can help you create a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Let’s make 2025 your best year yet. Download the Intentional Living Planner and share your yearly motto or top goal in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re planning to thrive this year! Let a comment about your ideas, plan and your 2025 moto!
I hope you enjoyed! 🙂
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