Another year, another word! 

I say this every year, but I love the process of having my word “presented” to me and then seeing how it shows up throughout my year – sometimes expected, sometimes unexpected. 

This was the first year that I made a vision board to hang in my run, accompanied by a goals tic tac toe board with my word at the top. It was so helpful to have a visual representation of how I wanted my year to play out, with my goals being the last thing I saw as I would leave my room. 

Not everything was completed but that’s okay. I am hoping this year I’m able to cross off even more! 

This will be my EIGHTH word of the year blog post!!! I cannot even believe that!!! 

Here’s your yearly reminder of my journey and past words:

2017: FOCUS

2018: CULTIVATE

2019: TRUST

2020: NOW

2021: PRIORITIZE

2022: NEW

2023: PUSH

2024: ENERGY

2024 Review: ENERGY

This was the year of good, positive energy. I wanted to capitalize on the momentum of one of my favorite years so far (leaving my 20s, entering into my 30s) and maintain everything I had worked so hard to build. 

Energy has a few different facets.

PHYSICAL: I started the year off by running my first marathon (!!!!) and celebrating a year of running races by running the Wilmington half-marathon. Crossing the finish line at Disney was one of the most overwhelming experiences, being so truly proud of something I worked so hard for, that I never imagined I could do. I’m still wrapping my head around it! 

Unfortunately I did take a break from run training after my half marathon because I really needed a break. This was my first lesson in energy – sometimes you have to rest to recharge and come out swinging the next go round and that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s necessary for growth.

EMOTIONAL: This year has been the most balanced and regulated in years. I’m able to allow emotions to wash over me and not get my feelings hurt as easily. I can tell when alarm bells are sounding for me to leave a situation and how much to open up vs. what I want to keep for myself. I have fallen in love with my relationships with family and friends all over again, and I feel so fiercely protective over myself. 

MENTAL: I really leaned in to just going for it. Weston has been such a huge help in getting me out of my own way, holding me accountable to my ideas, pushing me out of my functional freezes. We ended the year with such clarity and affirmation that we are heading in the right direction.

SPIRITUAL: This year was full of beautiful, affirming, inspiring energy. Time spent with family, laughing and healing. Filling my house with color and decor that makes me feel so much joy. Exploring the world with my best friends, experiencing new cultures, food, and history. Re-connecting with my artistic side in art museums and different types of cameras. Dressing up and styling outfits that make me feel elevated and put together. Reigniting a love for capturing memories for others and for myself. Pouring into friendships even though we all are in different seasons. Being confident in what I want to do and when I want to do it. 

As I said last year with my intentions for this word, I can be both intentional and driven and also at peace and fluid. 

2025: CONSISTENCY

As I move into this next year, I sat with what I really feel like I need. While last year was so much fun, it didn’t feel super grounded. I am grateful for the inspiration and reinvigoration it brought, but I kept looking back at 2023 and wanting more of the feeling of gradual growth and steady.

So what was the difference between the two years? Routines. Being home. Space and room for things to happen. 

This next year I am not looking to do anything daring and new – actually quite the opposite. I am looking to take all of the new energy I have pushed for and prioritized (refer to past words to see what I did there) and try a new kind of challenge: consistency. 

There are a few different technical definitions (ex. “agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole”) but what I’m defining it as is doing the same thing over time. 

I am looking to build consistency within myself with:

• Morning routines of sunrise runs for fun and ocean swims
• Following a gym routine with a high protein diet, cooking at home (building muscle!)
• Creating and publishing content (video, podcast, blogs, newsletters)
• Prioritizing going to the beach at least once a week and using the paddle board
• Scrapbooking to document my memories (and making photo albums for past big events!)
• Reading before bed as a wind-down routine and decreasing screen time
• Quarterly planning and focusing on strategy for only 3 months at a time

I am looking to surround myself with consistency in friendships and potential partners – planning dinners, sitting on porches or the beach, going to concerts, weekend trips, and celebrating even the smallest events. 

Consistency is the thing I crave when I feel unsure. It calms my anxiety and builds trust, with other people and with myself. Consistency helps build my confidence to fully chase after goals and new experiences.

None of my goals are Earth-shattering but they are all things I want to prioritize engraining as habits so they feel second-nature as I add more things, people, and ventures into my life.

I’m excited for a year of growth, not in new ways but in compounding ones.