Why is it that every January, we get excited about the dawn of a new year? After all, isn’t it just another day on the Gregorian calendar? A calendar that doesn’t even sync with Earth's lunar cycles, yet the world follows it religiously, screaming our crazy countdown at midnight across all time zones: 3...2...1...Happy New Year!

Why is this ritual so universal? My theory is because it feeds into a fundamental human emotion—HOPE. No matter how challenging the current year has been (and 2024 has undoubtedly been rough for humanity), we humans always turn toward the light, hoping things will get better. This one emotion, hope, separates us from all other species and machines.

Holding this candle of hope, here are my 25 manifestations for our industry in 2025: I hope that…

1. We start living more heart-centric lives than the ego-centric ones we’ve grown accustomed to in the creative industry.
2. We embrace coexistence and collaboration between AI and human intelligence (HI), moving beyond the “AI vs. HI” narrative.
3. Simultaneously, technology companies and world leaders enforce critical laws to ensure AI remains a tool within our control.
4. Our industry improves its track record on ageism by valuing older, experienced professionals while attracting young talent.
5. We show sincerity in DEI initiatives, hiring and empowering women, especially mothers, and underrepresented communities in leadership roles.
6. We make it normal and essential to focus and discuss the mental health of our employees, peers and colleagues.
7. We rediscover the joy that brought us to our careers instead of whining about the grind.
8. We stop idolising workaholism and start respecting a more balanced, holistic life.
9. We share 10% of our income with those less privileged.
10. We stop treating our planet like it has nine lives and recognise it as our only life-sustaining home.
11. Consumers demand more accountability from brands, boycotting those that greenwash and fail to deliver on sustainability promises.
12. "Reusing, recycling, and repairing" becomes a fashion statement inspired by documentaries like Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy.
13. We stop elevating fake influencers and start placing a premium on authenticity.
14. We support local livelihoods by buying from rural industries without bargaining for lower prices.
15. We celebrate real-life superheroes protecting our homelands instead of fixating solely on fictional Marvel characters.
16. We spend less time on smartphones and notice how smart our kids become when we are truly present in their lives.
17. We swap Instagram stories for our parents’ and grandparents’ life stories, caring for the ageing with the same unconditional love they gave us.
18. We treat our bodies as the miraculous machines they are, nourishing them with wholesome, natural foods.
19. We upgrade our health with the same enthusiasm we upgrade our gadgets.
20. We demand transparency in nutrition information from packaged food companies.
21. Kindness and empathy become the cornerstones of our personal and professional interactions.
22. We focus on human potential for innovation and creation, generating opportunities rather than clinging to scarcity mindsets.
23. We cherish ideas as our creative currency, ensuring they aren’t lost to marketing jargon, analysis paralysis,  or short-term sales pressures.
24. We realise how precious and transient life is, channelling our energy into building legacies that touch lives.
25. All the above manifestations become our reality this year.

Happy New Year!

The author is founder and chief creative officer, HumanSense (Sri Lanka). This column first appeared in our January issue. Buy your copy here.