Huma Qureshi Goes Viral: Her 7 Essential Rules for 2025
Huma Qureshi's new year's philosophy went viral. Discover her 7 essential rules for 2025 to cultivate self-love, confidence, and authentic success.
Priya Sharma
Lifestyle writer and pop culture enthusiast, decoding celebrity trends for a more inspired life.
Forget the dusty, guilt-ridden list of resolutions you abandon by February. As the calendar flips to 2025, a new, more compassionate philosophy is taking over our feeds, and it’s all thanks to Huma Qureshi. In a recent, candid Instagram Live that has since gone viral, the powerhouse actress ditched the typical “new year, new you” rhetoric for something far more powerful: a set of rules for building a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.
It wasn't a polished speech. It was Huma, relaxed and authentic, sharing what she’s learned about navigating life's pressures. Her message resonated so deeply that clips have been shared millions of times. Why? Because it’s not about grand, punishing goals. It’s about small, sustainable shifts that lead to profound change. Ready to redefine your approach to the year ahead? Here are Huma Qureshi's 7 essential (and refreshingly achievable) rules for 2025.
Rule 1: Activate Your "Main Character Energy"
This was the phrase that started it all. For too long, many of us have been living like supporting characters in our own stories, reacting to other people's needs and expectations. Huma’s first rule is a call to action: step into the spotlight of your own life.
"Main Character Energy" isn't about being arrogant or selfish. It's about agency. It’s asking yourself: “What does my protagonist want?” before making a decision. It’s choosing the outfit that makes you feel amazing, even if it’s “too much” for a Tuesday. It’s pursuing a hobby just because it brings you joy, not because it’s productive. It’s making conscious choices—from the food you eat to the people you spend time with—that serve your story and your well-being.
“Stop waiting for someone else to give you permission to live fully,” Huma shared in the viral clip. “The script is yours. The stage is yours. It’s time to act like you own it, because you do.”
Rule 2: The 10-Minute Movement Mandate
The “all-or-nothing” approach to fitness is a classic recipe for failure. We promise ourselves we'll hit the gym five times a week, and when life gets in the way, we do nothing at all. Huma’s approach is simpler and far more sustainable: just move your body for 10 minutes a day.
That’s it. No complicated workout plan, no expensive gym membership required. The key is consistency, not intensity. A brisk 10-minute walk while listening to a podcast, a 10-minute dance party in your living room to your favorite Bollywood tracks, or a 10-minute stretching session first thing in the morning. The goal is to reconnect with your body and remind yourself that movement is a celebration, not a punishment.
Rule 3: Curate Your Digital Diet
We are meticulous about the food we eat, but what about the content we consume? Huma argues that our “digital diet” has an equally profound impact on our mental health. Her third rule is a simple but powerful act of self-preservation: conduct a social media audit.
Scroll through your feed and ask yourself one question for every account you follow: “Does this make me feel good?”
- If the answer is no, unfollow.
- If it triggers comparison, mute.
- If it drains your energy, remove it.
Replace the noise with inspiration. Follow artists, poets, scientists, and creators who expand your world, not shrink it. Your social media feed should be a source of joy and learning, not a minefield of anxiety and self-doubt.
Rule 4: Celebrate Your Small Wins Loudly
We’re conditioned to wait for the big milestones—the promotion, the wedding, the degree—to celebrate. Huma’s fourth rule challenges this by urging us to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories that happen every single day.
Did you finally clear out that cluttered drawer? That’s a win. Did you say “no” to a plan you didn’t want to go to? Major win. Did you drink enough water today? Celebrate it. This isn't about seeking external validation. It's about training your brain to recognize your own efforts and build self-respect. Acknowledging your progress, no matter how small, creates a positive feedback loop that fuels further growth and confidence.
Rule 5: Practice Radical Authenticity
Huma Qureshi has built a career on being unapologetically herself, and her fifth rule is an invitation for you to do the same. Radical authenticity is about shedding the masks you wear to be liked or to fit in. It's about speaking your truth, honoring your feelings, and showing up as you are, not as who you think you *should* be.
“For years, I was told I was ‘too much’ of this or ‘not enough’ of that,” she explained. “The most freeing moment of my life was realizing that I am exactly the right amount of me. Don’t apologize for taking up space. Your perspective is valid. Your voice matters.”
This can be scary, but it’s also liberating. It means having honest conversations, setting boundaries, and being true to your values, even when it’s uncomfortable. Authenticity is the foundation of genuine connection, both with others and with yourself.
Rule 6: Schedule "Do Nothing" Time
In our hyper-productive world, rest is often seen as a weakness. Huma’s sixth rule reframes it as a necessity. She advocates for literally scheduling “do nothing” time into your calendar, just as you would a meeting or a doctor’s appointment.
This isn't about mindlessly scrolling through your phone or catching up on chores. This is intentional, guilt-free idleness. It could be 20 minutes spent staring out the window, listening to the sounds around you, or simply lying on the floor and breathing. This scheduled downtime allows your nervous system to reset, fosters creativity, and prevents burnout. It’s an act of defiance against the cult of busy-ness.
Rule 7: Invest in Your "Skill Stack" for Joy
The final rule is about reclaiming learning for the sheer pleasure of it. We often focus on acquiring skills to advance our careers, but what about skills that simply enrich our lives? Huma encourages everyone to add something to their “skill stack” in 2025 purely for joy.
Always wanted to learn how to make fresh pasta? Take a class. Curious about pottery? Find a local studio. Want to learn a few phrases in a new language? Download an app. The goal isn't to become an expert or monetize your new talent. It’s to engage your brain in a new way, to be a beginner again, and to cultivate a life rich with curiosity and experience.
A Year of Authentic Living
What makes Huma Qureshi's rules for 2025 so powerful is their simplicity and their focus on internal validation. This isn’t about transforming into a completely different person. It’s about peeling back the layers of expectation and pressure to reconnect with the person you already are.
As we step into the new year, let's take a page from her book. Let's choose to be the main characters of our own lives, move our bodies with joy, curate our energy, celebrate our efforts, and embrace the beautiful, messy, authentic truth of who we are. 2025 isn't about being perfect; it's about being present.