How to Stay the Path in 2025: Motivation, Discipline, & Delusion

As the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, I found myself reflecting on what I’d accomplished—and what I hadn’t. I didn’t hit every goal I set for myself, and while some were wild and outrageous, I did achieve a few that mattered. I’m not disappointed.

I’ve never been one to wallow in self-pity when things don’t go as planned. Life has taught me that the full impact of our actions takes time to show up. Unintended consequences always find their way back, often long after we’ve forgotten what set them in motion.

Now, we’re halfway through January 2025. Tomorrow marks the inauguration of the 47th President—a symbolic moment that offers a chance to orient ourselves before the rollercoaster of the coming year fully picks up speed.

First, let me say this: don’t tie your identity to a political party or a single leader. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve watched as people’s sense of individuality has eroded. Hobbies pursued solely for joy have become rare, replaced by an obsession with self-improvement through a narrowly capitalist lens.

I don’t look to social media for life guidance either. Platforms flooded with “how to change your life” advice often feel shallow. And now, with TikTok’s ban in effect, we’re hearing influencers admit they fabricated the very content people built their routines around—faked health tips, staged workout results, misleading product endorsements.

Let me be clear: I’m not selling anything. I’m not sponsored. I’m not running paid ads. No brand is sending me free PR packages. Maybe one day I’ll accept such opportunities, but for now, the trust you place in my honesty is the most valuable return I could ask for.

This moment feels right to share these thoughts because we stand on the edge of significant societal change. While I can’t predict exactly what’s coming, I know the best approach is to keep a light heart and direct our discipline toward our dreams—what some might call our delusions.

The truth is, we don’t know what’s ahead. Even our most informed guesses are still just guesses. Only by living through it will we see the challenges and opportunities that await.

For those who find themselves endlessly consuming “winter arc” or “75 hard” content, or the endless productivity hacks on social media, I urge you to step back. Take the time to figure out who you want to be, not just what you want to achieve.

The decline in literacy among younger generations deeply concerns me. As someone straddling the line between Elder Gen Z and Young Millennial, I feel a responsibility to guide my peers—both younger and older. With siblings I care about and hopes of starting a family, I can’t help but think about what the future holds for society at large.

And when I say “society,” I mean more than just the future of work. While work ethic is valuable, there’s much more to life than professional success. Being human means connecting—to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us.

Motivation, discipline, and a touch of delusion are what drive meaningful, lasting change. So be calm this year. Be the steady center of your own storm. You’ll handle any upheaval as long as you stay rooted in who you are.

If you haven’t yet discovered your own foundation—if you haven’t reflected on your values, learned from your experiences, or cared deeply for those who care for you—start now. By year’s end, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Reader’s Review

Central Themes & Their Development

At its heart, The Book of Form and Emptiness explores the themes of grief, mental health, materialism, and the relationship between humans and the objects around them. Ruth Ozeki develops these themes through the fragmented yet interconnected narrative structure, weaving Benny’s struggles with auditory hallucinations, his mother Annabelle’s hoarding, and the presence of objects as quasi-characters. The philosophical undercurrent of Zen Buddhism, with its focus on impermanence and the fluid boundary between form and emptiness, adds depth to the story’s exploration of these personal struggles. These themes reach a critical moment in the riot scene, where Benny’s journey collides with a broader critique of societal unrest and political tension. This powerful climax ties the novel’s introspective musings to real-world relevance, illustrating how personal grief and collective chaos are deeply intertwined.

Character Motivations & Societal Expectations

Benny’s motivation to make sense of the voices he hears conflicts with society’s expectations of normalcy, for sure. His journey toward understanding himself is paralleled by his mother Annabelle’s struggle to maintain control over her chaotic life. Their personal goals both align and clash, mirroring social pressures to conform and thrive despite adversity—shown in Benny’s search for inner peace and Annabelle’s attempt to preserve her home.

Recurring Symbols & Imagery

Objects and their voices serve as recurring symbols throughout the novel, representing memory, attachment, and the stories we imbue in our material possessions. For Annabelle, these objects symbolize the remnants of a life before tragic loss, while for Benny, they’re intrusive, discordant, and chaotic manifestations of his inner turmoil. The Library as a sanctuary symbolizes knowledge, escape, and community, deepening the narrative’s commentary on finding solace in chaos.

The Aleph, my favorite character, is herself a living symbol—her name evoking Jorge Luis Borges’s story The Aleph, where the titular object holds all perspectives simultaneously. In Ozeki’s novel, The Aleph’s poetry and presence represent the intersection of material & immaterial worlds, bridging Benny’s experiences with objects and his search for meaning grounded in his romantic affection for The Aleph. Her character deepens the novel’s exploration of impermanence, interconnectedness, and the unseen stories in everyday life.

Author’s Context & Intellectual Climate

Ruth Ozeki’s multicultural background and training as a Zen priest influence the novel’s meditative exploration of form, emptiness, and the nature of being—gracefully exemplified through Ai Konishi’s character. The book reflects contemporary concerns about mental health, environmentalism, and consumerism, offering a critique of society’s obsession with material possessions and the emotional weight we assign to them.

Rhetorical Devices & Narrative Impact

Ozeki relies heavily on metaphor and personification, particularly in giving objects a “voice” within the narrative passages, which serves as both a literal and symbolic device. The narrative’s irony—manifested in Benny’s relationship with the Book narrating his life—creates a self-reflective lens that challenges the reader’s understanding of authorship and agency (free will). These choices are highly effective in immersing the reader in Benny’s world and provoking introspection about our relationship with things.

Dialogue

One of the book’s most striking features is its dialogue between humans and objects, which doesn’t rely on conventional quotations. Benny’s exchanges with objects like scissors or marbles carry an impressionistic quality, blurring the line between reality and imagination while amplifying his sense of alienation and connection. This approach is both unsettling and thought-provoking, allowing readers to experience Benny’s perspective more viscerally.

Narrator’s Voice & Stylistic Choices

The narrator—a sentient Book—is an unconventional and compelling choice, blending omniscience with subjectivity. This narrative device shapes the reader’s perception of Benny’s journey, balancing intimacy with detachment. The colloquial and formal language juxtaposes Benny’s youthful, pre-teen struggles with the philosophical, omnipresent musings of the Book, enhancing the story’s mood and complexity.

Literary Theories & Interpretations

Psychoanalytic: Benny’s auditory hallucinations and Annabelle’s hoarding symbolize unprocessed grief & trauma. The Aleph, a homeless drug-addicted poet and spiritual guide, serves as a mirror to Benny’s internal struggles. Her enigmatic wisdom challenges societal perceptions of sanity, offering a perspective that reframes Benny’s experiences as profound rather than pathological.

Feminist: Annabelle’s portrayal as a single mother critiques systemic pressures placed on women, while her friendship with Cory, the librarian, highlights the importance of solidarity and compassion among women in navigating personal and societal challenges.

Marxist: The novel critiques consumerism & capitalism, particularly through Annabelle’s attachment to objects and The Aleph’s transient existence. The Aleph’s presence highlights the alienation caused by materialism and offers an alternative lens on the conventional meaning of “value”—both in terms of possessions and human connections.

Political: The story’s climactic riot, sparked by election results, echoes the polarization and societal unrest of recent years, particularly resonating with the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and its aftermath. This timely critique underscores the fragility of social order and the impact of collective disillusionment on individual lives, with Benny caught in the literal & metaphorical chaos.

Conclusion

The Book of Form and Emptiness is a deeply layered exploration of the human experience, blending personal grief, social critique, and spiritual-philosophical inquiry into a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive. Ruth Ozeki’s ability to give voice to objects, to weave in Zen teachings, and ground her characters in raw, relatable struggles makes this novel an impactful meditation on the complexities of existence.

At its core, the story reminds me that the lines between form and emptiness, chaos and connection, are fluid. The ever-present question of “What is real?” being the main, most prominent example of the spiritual-philosophical inquiry I mentioned. By navigating these spaces, Ozeki invites us as readers to not only confront not only our relationships with other people but also the objects and environments that shape our lives. In doing so, she crafts a narrative that speaks to our shared humanity and the enduring search for meaning in a disorderly world.

 

Whether you’re drawn to its inventive storytelling, its philosophical depth, or its timely reflection on societal unrest, this book offers something uniquely resonant.

It’s a reminder that even in the clutter of life we can find clarity, connection, and perhaps even a measure of peace.

My Financial Habits In 2025

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trapped in some illusory content cycle pushing me to embrace ‘my winter arc’ ❄️

To me, wealth is freedom, options, time, & health.

So I want my habits moving forward to reflect these values when it comes to financial success. It’s meant a refocusing of my energy—calling back my attention from past interactions, ruminations, and mental loops—towards the areas of my life that actually bring me vitality.

Here’s to charging forward boldly into your own life.

Solidarity is supposed to be hard.

When it comes to spending, take a firm stance.

Shop small, shop local, shop the businesses owned & operated by people you want to support. Support independent businesses over big brand retailers, trendy labels, and knock-off social media stores. I’ll only shop at these establishments if it’s absolutely necessary.

Shop for longevity. I’m done with low-quality, temporary solutions and designs. I don’t need to waste money or energy on things I don’t want, don’t need, or won’t last.

This year, I’m focused on looking “poor”— which just means looking like me. Not changing a thing about my current wardrobe, wearing what I own. I opt out of makeup, and all power to you if you choose to opt in. There are targeted occasions where dressing up is needed, I understand that, and the best formula for confidence in any situation is confidence in how you look first.

Yes, I wear comfy clothes outside the house, but no, I don’t wear them to meetings. Working from home has its perks, but I’ve kept a reliable set of professional clothes for virtual and in-person meetings that call for it. Those moments happen so rarely that I can’t justify buying new clothes constantly.

Metrics that matter.

My financial focus is crystal clear: building assets and increasing my net worth.

Net worth is the only number that matters to me right now. It’s my ultimate financial metric—an honest snapshot of where I stand financially. To grow it, my first priority is to pay off two key debts:

Car Note

Student Loans

I’m incredibly grateful that my student debt is below average for U.S. undergraduates. This wasn’t an accident. I worked hard during school, got good grades, and worked 3 jobs at the same time. I can credit this win to two strategic choices I made early in my college career:

Starting at a community college for two years before transferring to a university.

Supporting myself through school while living in a high-cost area like Seattle.

2025: A Year for Financial Discipline

The next few years are going to be certifiably chaotic—I can’t tell you exactly how, but I feel it in my bones. This is the time to focus.

Here’s my financial strategy for the year ahead:

Boost savings & investments. Build a safety net that offers security no matter what happens.

Get rid of unnecessary debt. Avoid taking on more than I can handle.

Prioritize long-term goals. Keep my eyes on building assets and increasing my net worth.

This year, I urge you to do the same: get your money right, focus on your paper, and set yourself up for success in the years to come.

Let’s get to work 💪🏽

Stop Setting Goals, Start Setting Systems

Every January, like clockwork, millions of people rush to gyms, journals in hand, full of resolutions. By March? Crickets. I used to see it all the time when I worked in the fitness industry—well-intentioned people with big goals, but no real way to make them stick.

It got me thinking: the problem isn’t the goal itself. Goals are great for giving you a sense of direction. The problem is they rely on motivation to get you there—and motivation is unreliable at best. What really works is having a system in place that keeps you moving forward, even when the spark fades.

That realization changed the way I approach everything: my habits, my routines, and even my career. I still set goals, but I don’t rely on them. Instead, I build systems—and it’s been a game-changer.

Why Goals Don’t Work By Themselves

Here’s the thing about goals—they sound great on paper, but they’re flawed in practice:

Motivation Is Fleeting

You might feel pumped when you set a goal, but motivation doesn’t last. Systems, on the other hand, don’t care if you’re motivated or not. They’re a b*tch to build, but they’ll keep you on track because they’re built into your day-to-day life.

Goals Focus on the Result, Not the Process

“Lose 10 pounds,” “Save $10K,” “Write a book.” These are all good goals, but without a clear process, they feel overwhelming—or worse, you might take shortcuts that make it harder to sustain progress.

They Have an Endpoint

What happens when you hit the goal? Do you stop? Without a system, it’s easy to lose momentum. You end up back where you started.

Here’s a personal example: When I graduated university, I had a whirlwind of a life at the time. Between a turbulent relationship, a brand new full-time remote corporate position, and a full-time course load at university—I thought I was going to go crazy. I loved the chaos at the time. I told myself I wouldn’t stop learning & growing, and I haven’t, but once I had my diploma in my hand, things felt different. My goal had been reached, and naturally my next thought was: Now what?

Systems are the answer. A goal is the next rung on the ladder of growth made possible by a solid system.

What Are Systems and Why Are They Effective?

From: Beyond deliberate self-control: habits automatically achieve long-term goals. Authored by Marco Stojanovic & Wendy Wood

A system is just a fancy way of saying “a routine you follow consistently.” Systems simplify your life by automating small decisions, so you’re not constantly debating whether to act. Here’s how it works:

Example 1: Instead of saying, “I want to save $10,000,” set up a system to automate monthly transfers💸 into savings and track your spending weekly.

Example 2: Instead of, “I want to get in shape,” schedule three workouts🏋🏽‍♀️ a week and meal prep🍛 every Sunday.

Systems work because they:

⭐️ Save your mental energy for bigger decisions.

⭐️ Build momentum through small, consistent wins.

⭐️ Adapt to life’s chaos—you can scale up or down, but the system stays in place.

You won’t be perfect, I’m certainly not. But it’s about being consistent.

My Systems for 2025

I’ll be honest—building systems takes trial and error. I’ve had plenty of routines that flopped because they were too ambitious or didn’t fit my life. But over time, I’ve figured out a few that really work for me. Here’s what I’m focusing on this year:

Morning Routine

I need structure in the mornings to set the tone for my day. Here’s my system:

⭐️ Hydrate: First thing, drink a glass of water (12oz -16oz).

⭐️ Move: A quick 10-minute walk or stretch. If I have the time, I walk to the nearest coffee shop☕️ and kill two birds with one stone.

⭐️ Reflect: Spend 15 minutes journaling & praying.

This simple routine has made a huge difference in how I start my day. I started noting down the Big 3 things I need to do with my day to stay on track with my goals as part of my morning planning & prayer—the Big 3 are determined by the quarterly vision, driven by the yearly & then longer-term visions from there. We’ll talk about my Notion dashboard another time, but I make all iterations of my life vision easy to reference so there isn’t any excuse I have for myself why I don’t just do those 3 things first—get them out of the way—and I can get to everything else.

The sacrifice I made for this is that I wake up at a holy hour every morning. I wake up anywhere between 4am - 7am depending on the day and whether an alarm is active. Then, I start my workday or get moving with my day. That’s the trade-off.

Bedtime Routine

How you end the day matters just as much as how you start it. My system is all about winding down intentionally:

⭐️ Tidy: Spend 10 minutes decluttering.

⭐️ Reflect: Write down 3 things I’m grateful for. Review wins, challenges, suggest improvements.

⭐️ Prepare: Set out what I’ll need for the next day.

Since I started doing this, I have less brain fog when it comes to where I should start to achieve my goals. I’ll share them later, once we’ve gotten to know each other better, but my clarity & focus has improved drastically since I’ve learned to cut out the thinking/buffering time I’m used to giving myself.

Rest & Relaxation Habits

I used to think rest meant being lazy. Now I see it as a way to recharge and stay productive. Here’s how I incorporate it:

⭐️ Under 15 minutes: Guided meditation or a quick stretch.

⭐️ Under 30 minutes: Reading or enjoying a cup of tea.

⭐️ 1 hour: Taking a walk or diving into a hobby.

The 7 Types of Rest is a newer idea in my sphere and I’m so grateful that social media shares gems like these with me from time to time.

I took a lot of inspiration from graphics in my Pinterest boards like this one to design systems that fit my life and that also get me to where I want to go.

How to Build Your Own System

Let’s break this down so you can try it for yourself. Pick one area of your life—health, finances, or creativity—and follow these steps:

Identify the Goal or Challenge

What’s something you want to improve or achieve?

Break It Into Easily-Digestible, Repeatable Actions

Focus on behaviors you can do consistently.

Example: Instead of “Write a book,” commit to writing for 20 minutes every morning or to writing 1000 words a day.

Track Your Progress

Use a journal, an app, or even a sticky note on your fridge—whatever helps you stay accountable. Me personally, I use 2 whiteboards, my Notion account, a planner/notebook, and ChatGPT.

Remember, systems don’t have to be perfect. They just have to work for you.

Ready to Make 2025 the Year of Systems?

This year, skip the resolutions. Instead, build systems that make progress inevitable. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how daily diligence transforms your life.

Let’s make 2025 the year of sustainable success.