Can I just take a moment to remind you how incredible you are? Seriously, you made it through another year of challenges, triumphs, and lessons. But as we get closer to 2025, I’ve been thinking about something that weighs heavy on so many of us—shame. It’s sneaky, isn’t it? It hides in the cracks of our lives, whispering lies about who we are and keeping us from stepping into our full potential.
Well, not this year. It’s time to break free from shame and step boldly into 2025.
Let me be real with you for a moment. I’ve carried my fair share of shame. After losing my mom and pouring everything into taking care of her, I found myself financially depleted. Then 2020 hit... the pandemic... and as a speaker, my calendar was wiped clean. No gigs, no income, no stability. I lost my home, and the weight of it all felt crushing. But you know what was heavier than the financial struggle? The shame I carried about it. I worried people would judge me, see me as a failure, or think I wasn’t capable. That shame almost kept me from sharing my story in Relentless Joy.
But here’s what I’ve learned: shame grows in the dark. It thrives when we keep it hidden. The moment we shine a light on it, we begin to take away its power. I started talking about my struggles—on stages, in conversations, and in my book. And guess what? It didn’t make people think less of me. It made them feel connected to me. It reminded them that they’re not alone in their own struggles. Sharing our stories, flaws and all, is how we connect as humans.
So, here’s my challenge for you as we approach 2025: let’s do some investigative work. Take a moment to sit with yourself and ask, “What shame am I carrying into this new year?” Is it financial shame? Shame about a relationship? Your health? Your job? Maybe it’s something from years ago that still feels like a weight on your shoulders. Whatever it is, identify it, acknowledge it, and let’s work on releasing it together.
One of the ways we release shame is through forgiveness. Let me tell you, forgiveness is powerful. I’ve shared before about the healing that happened in my relationship with my stepdad. It wasn’t easy, and it took time, but forgiving him—and asking for his forgiveness—was life-changing. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing someone’s behavior; it’s about freeing yourself from the chains of resentment. It’s about saying, “I refuse to let this hold me back anymore.”
Forgiveness isn’t just for others, though. Sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. I know I’ve had moments where I’ve looked back at decisions I made in my 20s or in seasons of struggle, and I’ve felt overwhelmed with regret. But I’ve learned to go back and sit with that younger version of myself, to put my hand on her shoulder and say, “You were doing the best you could with what you had.” That’s the kind of grace I want you to extend to yourself as we step into this new year.
I also want to encourage you to embrace your imperfections. You don’t need to be perfect to inspire others. In fact, it’s your imperfections, your struggles, and your triumphs that make you relatable and real. Stop hiding the cracks in your story—they’re the places where the light gets in.
As we prepare for 2025, commit to leaving shame behind. Let’s choose grace, forgiveness, and authenticity. Let’s show up for ourselves and for each other with open hearts and open hands.
You are worthy of a life filled with joy, purpose, and freedom. And I can’t wait to see how you shine in the year ahead.
With all my love and relentless joy,
Rachel ❤️
I go into these thoughts in greater depth in this week's Joystarters Podcast. You can listen via the player below, or listen anywhere you listen to podcasts.
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