My Word of the Year Is...
FOCUS. What’s yours?
Happy 2024! How is your January so far? I find this month, with all of its (mostly) well-intended pledges of self improvement, to be equal parts invigorating and overwhelming. As in: Yes, let’s absolutely look for ways to do better! And also: Gosh, what do I do and how do I do it and who has the time and what if I can’t? My birthday falls early in the new year, too, which only heightens the urge to reflect and recalibrate.
Last year, I found an approach that really spoke to me: Choosing a word as your guide. You can read more about the concept here; I discovered it thanks to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who spoke about it in the Netflix docu-series. I love the simplicity, picking an idea or a feeling rather than adding to your to-do list.
For 2024, a single sentiment came to me quickly: Focus. I’ve never thought of myself as someone who struggles to pay attention to something. But the fuller my life has gotten — particularly the demands of parenting three small children — the harder it has become. Add to that the rise of social media and my tendency to overthink everything (so very many thoughts…) and I am not surprised that I am more easily distracted. But I hope not to be!
The idea of focusing more has been on my mind, both figuratively and literally, for months now. After a string of headaches, I went to the eye doctor for the first time and was told I needed reading glasses. I dragged my feet a bit, trying on several styles before buying my first pair. I wish I hadn’t waited so long! Reading glasses are a godsend, snapping whatever is right in front of me into focus.
I hope to bring that energy to other parts of my life. When I’m with my kids or my husband, I want to be with them, not mindlessly scrolling Instagram. The same goes for things I enjoy, like sitting down to read a book. (Even better if it’s fiction! I tend to listen to nonfiction audiobooks while I fold laundry…) This winter break, I returned to cross-stitching, one of my favorite hobbies from long ago. Matt bought me a small kit for Christmas that I have been slowly working on for a week now. Heaven!
What does focusing look like here on Substack? I am thinking that through — and I would love YOUR input. Please take two minutes to fill out this So Many Thoughts newsletter survey. Your answers to a few short questions will help me immensely!
What is your word of the year? I’m opening up the comments of this newsletter to all subscribers in the hopes you will share yours! Bonus points for adding a line or two about the thinking behind your choice.
PS: Looking for inspo? One of my favorite Instagram follows, Morgan Harper Nichols, to the rescue! (This is fun to do even if you have picked a word.)
One more thing on the word front to add! We explained this idea to our kids over dinner. Oliver — who broke his arm multiple times last year — snapped to attention. "DANGEROUS!" he declared, his eyes dancing. "My word of the year is dangerous." Send help, LOL!
My word for 2024 is uncomfortable. I want to push myself outside of what is comfortable or out of my norm. By that I mean I've joined some women backpacking groups and my husband is helping to make sure I can take these trips. Trying new things that I normally wouldn't do for fear of feeling uncomfortable.