It’s hard to believe that 2025 is nearly history. Looking back, I’ve thought this was a tough year due to some unexpected things that weren’t pleasant. But I have to think of 2024 as one of my hardest. One of my siblings passed. He had cancer, so it wasn’t a surprise, but when it happens, you start to feel mortality. Later that year, I also had to have a gum graft. I had one before, but this one was on another level with 10 teeth total, top and bottom. I had to eat a soft diet for a couple of weeks. Ugh. But your Indianapolis Personal Stylist got through it.
2025 was also a year of fun travel. I journeyed to Ireland with great friends. I also traveled to Manila, Shanghai, and parts of Japan for a conference and vacation of sorts. It was certainly eye-opening and fun. I hope to reach all seven continents and have a couple more to go. I loved Asia. It’s been a while since I have been in a country where the majority did not speak English. It makes you realize how sheltered our lives really are.
Photo by Kourosh Qaffari
2025 Reflection from Your Indianapolis Personal Stylist
Self-improvement is always a part of every year. I ended up using a coach this year to try to lose some weight. I had stopped running and immediately gained weight. I am realistic about my weight. I will never be 30 again, but I decided to do something about it. I used SOS for your Life–Emergency Wisdom for Everyday Life by Susan St. Angelo, a lifestyle coach. It surprised me how much I needed to learn. I also used Noom to track calories, which was the final tool that really helped. Reach out to Susan via email at Susan@creatingthejoy.com.
Susan gave me such practical advice that I could use immediately and wanted to share it with you.
- When you eat out, look at the menu before you go, and plan the best meal option! This was such a good tip, and it makes perfect sense. I used it often, but most recently when we went on a bus trip and were eating at very robust German restaurants. I ordered the grilled chicken instead of the fried, and it was delicious!
- The other tip is to take healthy snacks to stave off hunger when you travel. Some ideas include turkey jerky, apples, and nuts. I always struggle when we travel since we eat at different times and have to adjust to different timezones.
An ongoing gift you can continue all year is to take the time to maintain friendships and create new ones. If there is a new person you’ve met, reach out! In the end, you will benefit just as much. Part of this may be helping someone else and getting out of your comfort zone. One of my friends motivates me to do more since she works at a food pantry once a week. She doesn’t even have an easy indoor job. She actually works outside, unloading trucks of food.
Take Care of Yourself in 2026
So, as you look at your year and plan for the next, don’t be afraid to give yourself the gift of self-improvement using the expertise of others! Also, don’t forget the gift of connection and community. We all need each other! Contact me for Indianapolis Personal Stylist guidance whenever you need it.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC, Personal Image Consultant
