Good afternoon, and welcome back to ToTheUnknown,
The newsletter that’s like a good cup of coffee—bold, energizing, and the only thing keeping you from doomscrolling through TikTok. ☕️📱

Alright, I know what you’re thinking: “Why’s this post so late?!” My bad. But hey, better late than never, right?

Here’s the deal: today’s post is jam-packed with the kind of wisdom you’d want to hear before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. And yes, this is the last post of the year. Cue the tiny violin. 🎻😭

What’s on the menu?

• 📖 Things You Should Do Before 2025 (If You Can Spare the Time)

• 🪞 Bit of Self-Reflection

• 🔪 Questions That Will Set You Up for a Killer 2025

• 🧠 Mindset Tips for 2025

• 📰 Some Not-So-New News

So grab a snack, settle in, and let’s wrap up 2024 with a bang. 💥

📖 Things You Should Do Before 2025 (If You Can Spare the Time)

2024’s almost out the door, and 2025 is knocking. Before we jump into another year of hustle, let’s take a second to get our act together. Here’s your pre-2025 checklist to start the new year like a boss:

1/ Reflect & Reset

What went right? What went wrong? Take 10 minutes to think it through. (I have the questions comeing in the next part)

Wins?

Celebrate them.

Losses?

Celebrate them, and learn from them.

Take a hard look at your wins and lessons. Maybe you started a side hustle or crushed a personal goal.

Or maybe you tried something that flopped harder than a pancake. It’s all good—failures are just stepping stones.

🎯 Pro Tip: Every successful person—like Sara Blakely of Spanx—swears by reflection. Failures = stepping stones

2/ Clean Your Space

That messy drawer?

Time to tackle it.

A clear space = a clear mind

Start 2025 fresh.

3/ Learn One New Thing

Want to stand out?

Add a new skill to your toolbox. Could be as small as making the perfect omelet or as big as learning a new language.

👀 Fun Fact: Bill Gates reads 50 books a year. If he can learn, so can you.

4/ Set 2025 Goals Now

Don’t wait until January 1st. Write down your goals today.

Big goal?

Break it into small steps.

5/ Spend Time With Your People

Family. Friends. Loved ones.

Time with them >>> everything else

Don’t wait to tell people they matter.

6/ Health Is Wealth

Your body = your engine

Eat better, move more, and don’t skip that doctor’s appointment. Treat yourself like a Ferrari, not a junker.

7/ Take That Leap

Been holding back on a dream or idea?

Stop waiting for the “perfect time.”

Start now.

8/ Celebrate Yourself

You survived another year.

That’s huge.

Give yourself some credit and a well-deserved pat on the back.

Ok, I know you don’t have the time to do all that, I’m sorry. So, here’s the deal: I’ll give you the things that you need do, that are (in my opinion) totally worth it:

🪞 Bit of Self-Reflection

Alright, so here’s the deal: 2025 is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already panicking about what you’ve done this year—or worse, what you haven’t done.

But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. It’s time to hit pause, grab your favorite drink, and dive into some good ol’ self-reflection. 🪞

Why is self-reflection so powerful?

Because every successful person out there—from Iman Gadzhi to Oprah to Steve Jobs—has made self-reflection a core part of their life.

It’s not just about patting yourself on the back; it’s about figuring out what’s working, what’s not, and how to level up.

Iman even shared his go-to self-reflection questions that he’s been tweaking for over 10 years.

And trust me, these questions are gold.

But I didn’t stop there.

I dug deep into what other successful people ask themselves and put together a list of the best questions to help you get real about your progress and plan for a killer 2025.

The Ultimate Question List:

1/ What am I most proud of this year?
Big or small, list it out. Every win counts.

2/ What’s one challenge I overcame that I never thought I could?
Remember that time you thought you’d crash and burn? Yeah, you didn’t.

3/ What skills or knowledge did I gain in 2024?
Did you learn to code? Start a side hustle? Or maybe you finally mastered making a decent cup of coffee.

4/ What experiences shaped me the most this year?
Think about the highs, the lows, and the moments that made you say, “Wow, I’ll never forget this.”

5/ What do people often ask me for help with?
This could reveal what you’re naturally great at. Maybe you’re the go-to for advice, tech help, or cooking tips.

6/ If someone paid me for advice, what would it be about?
This is a sneaky way to figure out where you add the most value. (you can base this on the last question, what point are you most interested in)

7/ Where do I see the biggest opportunity for personal growth?
What’s holding you back? What could you improve in 2025?

8/ What’s one thing I regret not doing this year?
No shame here. Use this as motivation to not repeat the same mistake.

9/ How did I spend my time this year?
Netflix or networking? Social media or self-improvement? Be honest.

10/ What’s the one thing I did this year that I wish I started sooner?
Maybe it’s that gym routine or that new side hustle.

11/ Who had the biggest positive impact on my life this year?
And… did you thank them for it yet? If not, DO IT!

12/ What drained my energy the most in 2024?
Bad habits? Toxic people? Figure it out and cut it for 2025.

13/ What am I most excited about heading into 2025?
Find that thing that gets you hyped, and lean into it.

14/ What would my ideal day look like in 2025?
Morning gym? Midday work sesh? Nighttime Netflix binge? Get clear on it. (I personally use Martha Beck’s “Ideal day exercise”)

15/ If I could redo one thing this year, what would it be?
Not to dwell, but to learn.

16/ What did I do this year that scared me but was totally worth it?
Remember, growth lives just outside your comfort zone.

17/ Who do I want to become in 2025?
Dream big. Picture your future self and reverse-engineer how to get there.

18/ Am I living my life based on my values?
If not, what needs to change?

19/ What’s one thing I can do right now to start 2025 off strong?
Don’t wait until January 1st. Start today.

Why This Matters

Look, I get it. Self-reflection can feel a bit “meh.”

But think of it like cleaning out your closet—you can’t make space for new, awesome things if you don’t first take stock of what’s there. These questions are your cheat code to understanding where you’ve been, where you’re going, and how to bridge the gap.

And remember, even the greatest people started small. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions.

So grab a notebook (or your Notes app) and get to work. 2025 is waiting, and it’s got your name written all over it. For me, 2025 is going to be a pivotal year, even better than 2024!

🔪 Questions That Will Set You Up for a Killer 2025

2025 isn’t just about “new year, new me.” Nah, it’s about leveling up your life like you just unlocked a cheat code.

But to do that, you need direction. And that means asking the right questions to set goals that’ll make next year your best yet.

Here’s the deal: every epic year needs a misogi.

What’s a misogi?

It’s that one big, year-defining challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you question your life choices (in the best way possible).

For me?

2025’s misogi is running a marathon. 🏃‍♂️

What’s yours gonna be?

But before you lock it in, let’s start with the basics:

🎯 Questions to Set Smarter Goals

1. What’s the one thing I absolutely want to achieve next year?
   Maybe it’s crushing a fitness goal, launching a side hustle, or finally learning how to cook something other than ramen. (We’re rooting for you, Chef Microwave.)

2. What bad habits am I leaving behind in 2024?
   Scrolling until 2 a.m.? Ordering takeout 5 nights a week? Procrastinating on everything? Pick one and nuke it.

3. What’s my daily non-negotiable habit?
   It could be journaling for 5 minutes, a quick morning workout, or reading one page a day. Tiny habits = massive results over time.

4. Who do I want to become by December 31, 2025?
   Picture your future self. What does their day look like? What habits do they have? Who are they surrounded by? Reverse-engineer that person.

Final Thought

2025 is your sandbox—go build something amazing. Your misogi is just the beginning.

🧠 Mindset Tips for 2025

Here’s the thing: winning starts with your mindset. Life isn’t just about grinding—it’s about leveling up, playing smart, and knowing when to hit pause for a snack break.

So let’s talk mindset hacks to set you up for the best year yet.

Here are four quick, punchy tips to rewire your brain for success in 2025:

1/ Life is the Ultimate Game 🎮

Think about it—no respawns, no cheat codes, but infinite chances to level up.

The secret?

Treat every challenge like a boss fight. Don’t rage quit when it gets tough—adjust your strategy.

Pro Tip: Every “failure” is just a new side quest to pick up experience points. Got rejected? Cool, now you’ve unlocked the Persistence perk.

2/ Be 1% Better Every Day 📈

Forget overnight success—it’s a myth. The real flex is micro-improvements. If you get 1% better every day, you’re 37x better by the end of the year.

Example:

• Read 5 pages of a book daily.

• Spend 10 minutes learning something new.

• Drink one less soda (your future self will thank you. Oh, and here’s a pro tip: cut out sweets for a while, and suddenly, fruits and veggies will taste like dessert. Trust me, your taste buds will have a party!)

Small wins stack faster than Legos.

3/ Your Circle = Your Ceiling 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Look at your five closest friends—congrats, they’re your future. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and actually believe in you. Success rubs off, and so does mediocrity.

Reality Check: If your crew’s idea of a big move is upgrading to Netflix Premium, it’s time for some new connections.

4/ Play the Long Game 🕰️

You’re not late.

You’re not behind.

Relax.

Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Most startups fail in their first year, but guess what? Founders who keep going flip that stat on its head—90% succeed after 10 years.

Takeaway: Stop aiming for quick wins and start building for the long haul. Show up every day, even when it’s boring, and let compounding do its magic.

Closing Thought: Mindset = Everything

2025 isn’t just going to hand you success—you’ve got to earn it.

But with these mindset tips, you’re already ahead of the game. So take a deep breath, reset your brain, and get ready to crush it.

Because the ultimate glow-up?

It starts in your head.

📰 Some Not-So-New News

Let’s dive into today’s tea—something old, something new, and a whole lot of blockchain magic to set you up for 2025.

Trump’s DeFi Drop: World Liberty Financial 🌎

Yep, the man, the myth, the… lender? Donald Trump has officially entered the DeFi game with World Liberty Financial.

Think Aave, but with a side of politics.

Here’s the scoop:

• It’s a decentralized lending and borrowing platform.

• They’ve recently loaded up on $ETH, $AAVE, and $LINK tokens. (Bullish on them)

What does this mean for you?
If this project gains traction, it could open up new opportunities in the DeFi space, and even you might be able to borrow or lend like a boss. DeFi isn’t just for crypto nerds anymore—it’s becoming mainstream, and projects like this are paving the way.

Ethena: Bringing TradFi Secrets to the Blockchain 💸

Ever heard of carry trades or delta-neutral strategies?

Nah?

Don’t sweat it. These are fancy finance tricks that used to be gatekept by Wall Street bros.

But now, thanks to Ethena, you can play their game—and win.

Here’s what they’ve built:

• Delta-neutral yields: A way to earn high returns (currently at 27% per year) with lower risk.

• Accessible for everyone: No finance degree or billion-dollar portfolio required.

Why should you care?
Because making money while minimizing risk is the holy grail of investing. Ethena is democratizing these strategies, giving the average Joe (or you) a chance to access strategies once reserved for hedge fund managers.

The Big Picture: What Does This Mean for 2025?

Blockchain is no longer just a buzzword—it’s creating entirely new products that didn’t exist a year ago. Here’s why this matters:

1. DeFi is evolving fast: Platforms like World Liberty Financial and Ethena are proof that traditional finance is being rewritten.

2. Opportunities for you: Whether it’s earning 27% APY with Ethena or diving into Trump’s DeFi world, these tools can help you grow your portfolio in 2025.

3. Mainstream adoption is coming: If even Trump’s hopping on the DeFi train, you know the big players are watching.

2025 is shaping up to be the year where you can get ahead of the curve. Whether it’s diving into DeFi, experimenting with delta-neutral strategies, or just watching the madness unfold, there’s no better time to get involved.

The future isn’t just bright—it’s blockchain-powered.

And that’s a wrap, folks! The year is officially in the rearview mirror, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

I hope today’s post gave you something valuable to carry into 2025. Keep these habits and reflections rolling in the years to come, and I guarantee you’ll find yourself in a better spot.

Success?

That’s on you. 

I’m just here to give you the tools—you’re the one who has to build.

Oh, and yeah… about that GYM Guide for 13–18-year-olds… I know, I know, it’s still in progress.

But hey, good things take time, right? I’ll finish it soon (promise!).

Next year, big changes are coming. I’ll be narrowing down my content to focus on one thing—so take a second to think about what you enjoy most about this newsletter. I’ll ask for your thoughts soon, so be ready.

Until then, have an amazing start to 2025.

Let’s crush it together. See you next year! 💥