GKvtCiJVl2
I absolutely love starting fresh in January, I find it to be a really positive and productive month. I am more dream-orientated than goal as I hate putting any extra pressure on myself. I have a solo exhibition coming up soon in Dublin and have a dream of creating a space where people feel safe with their fragility and emotions. I want to make work that helps people navigate the dark, and reimagine their pain with hope and light. This is something that happens for me during my process of creating and I like to think of that coming through to the viewer. We are all experiencing collective grief over the state of the world right now and I am lucky to have an outlet that helps me work through those emotions. My biggest and most important dream for 2025 is to see a Free Palestine and for dignity to be restored to those who have lost everything.
January can be a month where I need to recharge rather than add pressure with over-ambitious goals, however, last year I loved reading Intermezzo and The Bee Sting so a goal to aim for this year is to read one really good piece of fiction a month. Workwise I love what I do and feel very grateful that I’ve created a career that centres around healthy living but sometimes, I shy away from sharing with confidence. My goal is to find and share my voice organically and consistently online. My life and energy have immensely improved since focusing on plant-based meal planning and healthy eating and I’d love to amplify that to a bigger audience in 2025.
Last year my resolution was simple: be delusional. As a creative director and freelance photographer, this meant putting myself in spaces and forward for opportunities I ordinarily thought I wouldn’t be skilled or talented enough to deserve, and sure enough, I’ve gotten them! Now as a result, I’ve found that I’ve become somewhat of a workaholic blessed with so many opportunities, and so in 2025 my New Year’s resolution is to find balance; as a woman in an era of social media that promotes girlboss hustle culture so heavily, I want to stop treating myself as a 24/7 freelancing machine and instead allow myself to relax. My best quality isn’t my productivity, it’s my ability to make friends laugh, to share moments with family and to show myself grace.
I’ve never been one to set lofty goals—likely rooted in a fear of failure—but in 2025, I’m choosing to dream big. This year, I’m embracing ambition, even mild delusion, because our thoughts hold so much power. Having just launched my online yoga platform (ericabracken.com), I’m focused on deepening connections with my yoga community and inspiring people worldwide to build a consistent practice. I’m also diving into creative pursuits like learning the harmonium, planning a retreat for early autumn, and travelling to Thailand—all while making this my most abundant and vibrant year yet!
My New Year’s resolution sounds really w*nky but it’s to consume media more consciously. My brain is so rotted from TikTok that I can no longer formulate a sentence or opinion beyond “it was good”, so I’m going to try to make an effort every time I read or watch something to write down why I liked it, or why I didn’t. I’m also going to need to start reading again to make this happen, I’ve just copped. Digging myself into a hole here.
I’ve set big writing goals for 2025 so I plan to get back into a good daily writing routine. In 2024, I published my first book, A Compendium of Irish Pints, which meant it was a hectic year of promoting and not as much writing as I’d like. So, in 2025, my plans include knuckling down and getting book number two underway properly. I also started a Substack last year, The Kitchen Press, where I share weekly Irish food and drink news. I’ve had such fun writing this and get great feedback from it so I hope to expand my writing on there and build my subscriber list.
I’m never one for resolutions to be honest and this year’s not much different. I do, however, (in general) want to upskill, so I’m starting a ceramics course in the middle of January. I’ve plans in the pipeline for my own small restaurant and eventually designing my own wares is a tiny part of that. Other than that, eat more veg and spend more time wandering around forests.
2024 was a year full of challenges for my business. Opening the Agite showroom, our first permanent physical space, was a major milestone. Looking ahead to 2025, my main goal is to continue inspiring more responsible consumption and sustainable fashion through my brand. At the end of last year, we launched a new line called Agite Designers, a project I aim to grow further in 2025. Additionally, I want to attract more customers to our showroom, located in the heart of the city at The Chocolate Factory, and offer them a unique experience of buying second-hand clothing.
On a personal level, 2024 was a year of learning. I learned to listen to my body and mind, to take care of myself, and to find balance between my health and my business without losing myself along the way. I ended the year on a high note by completing a 30-day yoga challenge, which helped me improve my back pain and lower my anxiety levels. In 2025, I want to keep up my yoga routine and add another activity, like cardio or strength training, to take care of my body more holistically.
This year will also mark a very special moment in my personal life: I’m getting married in October! Organising a wedding while running my business will be another big challenge, but I’m approaching it with lots of excitement. One of the most exciting tasks will be finding the perfect wedding dress – I want it to be second-hand or rented to align with my values. The countdown has officially started!
After some well-needed New Year decluttering, organising and reflection on 2024, I am feeling positive and optimistic about what the coming year will bring. I hope to carry on making images with inspiring individuals across the island of Ireland, I plan to continue my practice in educational spaces and an exhibition of a personal ongoing project may be on the horizon.
As an artist, it can sometimes be an isolating journey—particularly at the start of a new year—to keep up the motivation and drive to create. I believe it is a physical and mental feat, so January for me is about being gentle on myself and open-minded about what the year will bring!
New Year’s solutions are like marmite. You either loathe and feel the pressure of them or they hold the wondrous power of helping you reset and plan new goals, instead of floating through the year. I always see the value in a fresh slate and write down five, hoping to cross out three – at least I’ll have passed the halfway mark, or so that’s the logic.
2025 sounds cliched for me as I’m really hoping to get back into shape and shed some festive indulgence but mostly a year of emotional eating. The first goal is a 28-day calisthenics challenge which brings me to my next resolution – consistency. I’m a typical Aries and always dreaming about the next thing, losing interest easily in the last. I’ve downloaded a mindset app and bought a journal to help me show up daily and hold myself accountable (to be continued). The third still lingers from last year’s wishlist. A studio rebrand is already underway where I’m hoping to shoot and finish a tablescaping book. It’s a New year but I love the thought of keeping yourself, just evolving into a better version. Happy January!
This year, I’m excited to host more events in Dublin with Style & Connections, continuing to bring women together in meaningful ways. I’m focusing not only on saving money, but also learning to invest my savings wisely. Professionally, I’m committed to staying at the forefront of chiropractic care to enhance the treatment I provide for my patients. And lastly, shopping smartly by investing in quality pieces that I will rewear every season.
Less ‘ins’ and more meaning. Softer edges, sharper focus. Act for peace. Find all the ‘whys’. Write ambiguously and follow the floating ideas. Create boldly. Continue studying, now evolve. Even more live music. Go, and find the magic. Earlier rising, arriving. Read, reflect, organise. Finally, let it go for good. Love. Gently grow.
I’m also focused on growing my social media presence, creating content to highlight bridal trends and inspire creativity, confidence, and self-care. This year is all about elevating every aspect of my life and business and connecting more deeply with my clients and community.
Feature imagery courtesy of @natashahmedx, @roxienafousi and @vibovisionboards