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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!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

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.

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What a brave choice, Jill! Cheering you on!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

My word this year is ‘movement’ - meaning it in terms of finding ways of physically moving that I *enjoy* (rather than it feeling like a chore or a duty!) and also because I have some changes coming up in work and personal life and I’d like to remember change is ok and movement is natural and can be positive ✨ Really enjoying reading everyone’s words, thank you!

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Movement is such a good one, Maeve - I really like your expansive definition of it.

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Sustain. This year, I'm looking to invest my time and energy in things/people/thoughts/actions that SUSTAIN me and that are sustain-able.

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Oooh that's a good one, Aimee! I find it easier to start something but sustaining it? That's hard.

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

This year I chose FAITH as a reminder to have faith in who I am as a person and in my strength and character as I seek to launch my own business and settle in to a new home in a new state! Every year I have a morse code bracelet (Etsy!) made with my word and wear it as a reminder just for me as I go through the year.

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Oh Hilary! How cool. Could you link me?

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This is the shop I have purchased from: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MorseandDainty

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Brave. This year I’ve made the decision to freeze my eggs and I’m going through with it later in January. I’m going to be okay with putting myself out there more with my writing even if I fail or make mistakes and look for new career opportunities after 7 years at my current workplace. Brave is my word because the key thing is trying to let go of the fear when taking risks and doing all of the above.

Loved reading this post, Elizabeth and found this way of thinking so useful! Thank you!!

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BRAVE! I love that, Michaella, makes me put my shoulders back and hold my head a little highter. Wishing you all the best.

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Gratitude. So cliche, but honest, authentic, and I find that gratitude and appreciation can help me FOCUS on what’s most important to me. Gratitude is like sprinkling love wherever you go, acceptance and grace when it’s hard, and peace of mind and heart through it all.

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This was my word last year, Janet!

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My word is clarity. It encompasses all the things I want to manage--a mind that often feels like a browser window with too many tabs open; my porous relationship boundaries; my junk drawer. (Which is... every drawer in my house.) I love the word of the year idea because it's more of an intention than a resolve. It feels gentle and also expansive; more sustainable than a resolution.

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Humble. I thought about “humility” but I like just plain humble better. I have been very lucky in my life to (by this point--I’m 71) have absolutely everything I want and more. My goal is to be more humble about that fact in everything I do and say, and to pay more attention to the feelings of others not so lucky.

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RELAX✨ I retired in June and am learning that I have time to slow down, RELAX & be PRESENT. Here’s to a FABULOUS year🌹

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

REST. I have 4 kids, a demanding (and fulfilling) job, and vibrant social life, and in the past year have made a lot of invigorating life decisions and changes (moved homes, got engaged, planned a wedding, traveled all over) that left my cup full but my body drained. It was hard to come to this conclusion! Both on paper and in reality, my life is pretty great and I am very happy! But I am also sick all the time, exhausted beyond breaking point, and have too many plates in the air to succeed fully at any of them. I thought about focusing on "health" but ultimately, it all comes back to rest. I'm saying no to more, focusing on sleep, and getting my body back to a rested statis, and hoping that health will follow.

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Yes, yes, yes. Why am I so bad at this, Jess?? I struggle mightily, too. Thank you for sharing and hoping we can both get better at this.

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So glad to be in good company on this rest-filled journey this year! Best of luck to you too!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

PURPOSE! I've had two babies in 3 years, opened (and closed) a small business, and worked full time and I now have the ability to take a year off of work and still have my kids go to school. So, it's a year of trying to discover who I am, what makes me happy, and what my purpose is on this earth (other than being a mama and an employee!) <3

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PURPOSE! Yes! We all need one, I think. And what a wonderful chance you have to explore a bit, find what makes you happy. So important, Jenna!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

My word for 2024 is Delight! I want to notice the happy things in my life, big and small!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

My word is BLOOM. My last child is heading off to college and I turn 50 this year. It’s time to enjoy being me and flourish!

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

I N T E N T I O N A L ... about my time, my energies, the food I eat, the people I engage with, the workouts I do. I want to make sure the time I am spending is being spent right!

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That's what Matt chose as his word! Love it.

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Jan 10Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Capacity. I used Morgan Harper Nichols' screenshot trick on 12/30/23 and that is what came up. And it's been a really good word so far. I even put it in the middle of my Vision Board for 2024.

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