Let Yourself Dream as the New Year Begins

By Christine Murray

Today is New Year’s Eve, and as we step into 2025, I invite you to let yourself dream about the year ahead. For many survivors of abuse, allowing space to dream of brighter days can be challenging. The healing journey is often a long, winding road filled with moments of frustration and setbacks. Abuse may have left you feeling disconnected from your goals, interests, and confidence, making the idea of “dreaming” feel daunting or even impossible.

Abusers frequently use emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse tactics to undermine victims’ and survivors’ self-worth, which can make dreaming for the future seem out of reach. Your abuser may have even mocked the dreams you shared with them, leading you to hide your dreams deeply away in your heart. During the abusive relationship, you may have even abandoned your dreams altogether. 

Many survivors, especially early on in the healing process, feel hesitant or blocked from planning for positive changes in their lives. Even if you’ve found it difficult to dream lately, the start of a new year can be an opportunity to reflect on what you want for your life. Perhaps this is the time you’ve been waiting for to set new intentions, big or small, for your path ahead. Whether you choose to set resolutions or simply allow yourself to hope and plan for positive changes ahead, your dreams are worthy of being heard, honored, and explored.

Consider this a gentle invitation to reflect on what kind of dreams you might have for 2025. Your dreams don’t have to be grand or life-altering to make a difference. Small steps count, too. 

Perhaps you envision moving a bit further along in your healing journey. This might mean connecting with a counselor, opening up to a trusted friend, or carving out time in your schedule for regular self-care. 

Maybe you’re interested in dreaming of other changes in your life, such as searching for a new job, entering the dating world, or building new friendships or hobbies. Let your dreams be as unique as you are! 

If dreaming feels difficult, try setting aside quiet time for reflection or journaling. Here are some questions to help you get started:

• If I could change one thing in my life right now, what would it be?
• What’s a goal or dream I once had that I’d love to revisit?
• How might I bring more joy and peace into my life this year?
• One year from today, on December 31, 2025, if I could look back and say, “This was one of my best years ever,” what would have happened to make that true for you?

Creating a vision board is also a fun way to bring your dreams to life visually, allowing you to see and revisit them throughout the year. And if journaling isn’t your style, consider sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend, counselor, or coach.

Let the start of this new year be a fresh beginning and the start of a new chapter in your life. Allow yourself the permission to dream. However big or small, these dreams are a powerful expression of hope for what lies ahead. You deserve a future that feels safe, fulfilling, and joyful. So, as you welcome 2025, embrace your dreams and take steps, one by one, toward making them a reality.