What's Your Word?

I had such an insightful conversation with one of my dear friends the other day, and I’ve been pondering it ever since. It’s reshaped the way I think about goals and even helped me reset some of my own with a fresh perspective.

Here’s the question my friend posed:
When you set goals, do you choose them based on everything you want to do and accomplish, or do you set goals to guide how you want to feel?

I loved this idea! Instead of setting goals with a “gotta do this, gotta do that” mentality, what if we set a goal for how we want to feel this year? Then, we build the things we want to accomplish around that feeling.

I’m a doer. I like to get things done and see results. The downside? Sometimes, I get so focused on doing that I forget to set an intention for how I want to feel.

Have you ever heard of picking a word for the year? It’s a practice where you choose a single word that represents your main focus and intention. That word becomes your guide for decisions and goals throughout the year.

For weeks, I wrestled with finding the right word for 2025. Nothing felt quite right—until I shifted my perspective. Instead of focusing on what I want to do, I started focusing on how I want to feel.

For 2025, my words are VIBRANT, FUN, and JOYFUL.

The past few years have brought their share of challenges—a difficult pregnancy, starting a business, and facing cancer. During those seasons, I was in survival mode, focusing on responsibilities and doing what needed to be done. And that’s okay. There’s a time and season for everything.

But now, I want to feel different. I want to bring more fun into my life. I want to radiate vibrance and experience joy in the big moments and the small. So now, as I look at my goals, I ask myself:

• What’s fun about this?

• Am I doing this just for the sake of doing it, or will it bring me joy?

Some of my goals have shifted. Some have stayed the same. But the driving force behind them is different. I want to feel more joy, be more vibrant, and have fun while working toward them.

Moral of the Story: Ask yourself—how do you want to feel this year? What state of being do you want to embody? Is it peace? Freedom? Uplifted? Bold?

Whatever it is, it’s perfect for you. Write that word down. Then, build your goals around it:

• What do you need to start doing to feel that way?

• What do you need to stop doing or let go of?

This approach helps us create a life that feels good while still accomplishing everything we dream of.

So—what’s your word for 2025? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear!

Erica 🌺❤️