10 Ways I’m Focusing On Femininity In 2025

If I could describe my year of 2024 in two words, I would choose “hard work.” I hit career milestones, joined new social organizations, rebranded my podcast and spent nearly every free moment committed to new projects. Ending the year, I was proud of my determination and ambition. 

Still, something was missing: feeling undeniably feminine. Call it the pressures of hustle culture or life as an inherent goal-setter, but I’d subconsciously defaulted to my masculine energy. In the goal-chasing process, I became disconnected from my feminine side. This year, I decided to channel my drive and ambition towards cultivating my softer side. Here are 10 practices I’m implementing in my quest to unapologetically embrace my femininity in 2025.

1. Dressing Up

While I love to dress up and play with fashion, I wouldn’t call my signature style “ultra-feminine.” There’s nothing I rely on more in my wardrobe than a little black dress, and I typically choose outfits in various shades of neutrals. While there’s nothing wrong with showcasing dark feminine and femme fatale traits, my goal to project a girly essence required a little more whimsy in my wardrobe.

This year, I am embracing soft colors, flowy fabrics and refined details. I feel lighter when I wear a sundress, a satin top or anything sparkly. On a recent night out, I opted for an off-the-shoulder pink sweater over a more characteristic dark turtleneck or LBD. I instantly felt more flirty, womanly and vibrant.

It’s no secret that color impacts how you feel. Pink, associated with happiness, romanticism and sweetness, is stereotypically girly for a reason. Why not use color to your advantage in fashion? Wearing feminine clothing at work, at the gym and on nights out keeps womanhood front and center.

2. Nurturing Others

Women have an incredible innate ability to nurture others. It can be easy to let a hectic schedule or tunnel vision impact our friendships, relationships and general life outside the workplace. When I was consumed with my own goals and busyness, I realized I hadn't taken advantage of moments to be there for my loved ones.

So I’m looking for ways to contribute. One area where I’ve started to nurture others is grocery shopping and making dinner for my family. I love to cook and bake, so it’s easy to extend areas I already enjoy to serve others. Find a skill you excel in and challenge yourself to nurture people through it.

3. Using Positive Language

Growing up, I’m sure you heard it from your mother or an older relative whenever someone said something that “wasn’t ladylike.” As women, we are called to use our speech for good, to build people up and encourage them — and that includes ourselves. While in my hustle era, my motivational self-talk resembled phrases you might see in sports ads or a CrossFit class: “Just do it.” “Push harder.” “Get your sh*t together.” In retrospect, my delivery wasn’t completely constructive. My inner dialogue’s coarseness only made me feel — and act — more masculine. 

Eventually, what fills us on the inside appears on the outside. My language gradually became tougher and, frankly, unfeminine. I am working towards using a gentler inner voice that overflows into my outward speech. Women should definitely have goals, but they shouldn’t feel the need to act like a man to accomplish them. I find shifting language in a positive direction helps me set goals in a more womanly way.

4. Being Silly

A big goal in reclaiming my femininity in 2025 is regaining a sense of playfulness. I have a habit of taking life (and myself) a little too seriously. While an asset in my professional life, my intensity makes it difficult to unwind and relax. A bit of frivolity and fun is key to achieve a carefree radiance. 

I’m embracing my inner childlike wonder by relinquishing my pragmatism, need for “productivity” and fear of judgment. I want to experience life’s joys, no matter how small, silly or seemingly insignificant. Watching my favorite rom-com for the millionth time on a random Tuesday night? Sounds fun. Spontaneously taking a weekend trip (without planning it to death or talking yourself out of it)? I’m in. Isn’t life more fun when you give yourself permission to embrace it?

5. Listening To My Body

Similar to my inner dialogue, my fitness routine used to revolve around punishing practices. Slowly, I’ve realized that my body doesn’t respond well to overly strenuous, HIIT-style exercises. Instead, I cater workouts toward Pilates, strength training and walking. Gone are the days of forcing myself through demanding spin classes or early wake-up calls when my body clearly isn’t up for the task. 

I’m also prioritizing what my body responds well to in my diet and what triggers inflammation and health issues. I’m looking less at what others deem healthy and more at what my body tells me. When women use their intuition to their advantage, they feel powerful and connected to their true selves.

6. Investing In the Details

I’ve long held visions of becoming an effortlessly put-together woman. She exudes charm, confidence and undeniable femininity. However, a fear of coming off as vain or a try-hard (or not being taken seriously) has held me back from these visions — until this year. Part of my journey means daring to look fabulous. Aspirational beauty, besides being aesthetically pleasing, is an incredibly motivating tool. Flipping through magazines of gorgeous models, beautiful clothing and picturesque surroundings is inspiring for a reason. 

I want to use aspirational beauty to help influence a more intentional image. Putting care into every detail of an outfit (without being obsessive) is a sign of being comfortable in your womanhood. To bring this vision to life, I’m addressing my wardrobe needs by investing in good-quality, cohesive jewelry pieces, nail polish for everyday wear and elevated accessories. Things like heatless curls that simplify a beauty routine are musts when life is busy.

7. Embracing Calm

Finding and making space for quiet time is a struggle in the noise of daily life. However, time in silence is incredibly important to maintaining inner peace. Without time to think, process or even just breathe, life becomes overwhelming. Isn’t it hard to be gentle and present when you’re distracted by everything going on around you?

Praying is an integral part of my day. As women, we are constantly told to be independent multitaskers and self-sufficient. It’s seen as weak to need or want support. While I am content with being capable and generally self-reliant, I’m realizing that I can’t do it all by myself —  nor do I want to. Deferring to God reminds me that life is not “all on me” to navigate alone and having faith is a sign of strength. Conversations with trusted individuals can be centering. A brief reflection or 5-minute break with no distractions can be a reset. Even driving in silence, without music or podcasts, gives much-needed quiet.

8. Rediscovering Hobbies

Hobbies are a lost art. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us gave up activities we once loved. I used to be an avid musician, playing guitar throughout high school and into college. But as I approached graduation, my playing became more infrequent as I prioritized résumé-building activities, and I eventually abandoned it altogether. 

The stunning truth, though, is that hobbies have many benefits, including professional ones. They teach valuable skills and help people enjoy life, not just work through it. This year, I’m investing in activities such as social dancing, trying a new recipe and, yes, playing guitar. It’s time to stop measuring life purely by task-oriented to-do lists and start enjoying things we love to do that lift us up.

9. Investing in Female Friendships

The mainstream media loves pitting women against each other. It seems there’s nothing more clicked on than the most recent development in a supposed celebrity feud or falling out. In turn, female friendships are often questioned or scrutinized by those skeptical of their authenticity or value.

Having a female support system is an asset for women, and skipping those friendships to “avoid the drama” is a detriment in the long run. Prioritizing your female relationships gives you a network that understands the unique joys and challenges of being a woman; they provide a special support, wisdom and community we all benefit from. We’re all in the same club, and having that female encouragement is a goldmine.

10. Being Vulnerable

I have never felt comfortable with not being perfect. Being a beginner, not having all the answers or failing at something is not easy for me. That said, I am learning to let go of perfectionism and become more used to vulnerability in 2025. I believe that there is strength in knowing when to be tough and when to be vulnerable, and being able to cycle between the two when the situation calls.

To help me accept imperfection, I’m attempting to adopt a learner’s mentality. The mental switch from “I don’t know this” to “I’m learning about this” makes imperfection feel more useful than something I need to be defensive about or cover up. I also want to use this to deepen my relationships. I aim to drop the idea that I have to be well-versed in all things to seem competent and allow myself to learn from others.

While seeking to rediscover the joys of being a woman, my goal isn’t to erase my personality or existing qualities. It’s to temper my more masculine traits by enhancing my feminine ones. Women can be ambitious and gentle, strong and soft. They can be unreservedly girly and go-getters. When women are unafraid to accentuate their femininity, they truly shine.