January 5, 2025 – Changing My One-Word

Wow. The new year has not even started, really… and I’m flip-flopping on my #OneWord2025. I know that this one-word is not the end-all-be-all, nor will it impact others in any way (that I know of). What I do know is, it’s something that I will be focused on for 2025 and it will have an impact on me. In my last blog post, One-Word for 2025, I declared that my one-word would be JOY for 2025.

Admittedly, I loved my one-word for 2024. It was HAPPY and the year ended into something so wonderful and amazing that I could not have anticipated it. And yes, I am HAPPY (even though the year did not start out that way). I did not want that feeling to end. JOY is a beautiful extension to that word and thought I could keep “riding that train” into (more) happiness. Why not? 2024 was great!!

What I am realizing is, JOY is a given. When I am happy, I am joyful. I learned a tonne about myself last year such that I will continue this happy-train for years to come. I spent many blog posts on this platform and another writing about what’s important to me. What I understand now is, to be HAPPY. And, I am. I also know my value and can create boundaries to keep myself happy, rested, and joyful.

So, JOY is not my #OneWord2025. I am back to the word LOVE. I don’t think that is word is about romantic-love like in finding a partner. LOL. I don’t think I want that (yet) and there is so much to love. I get my romantic-love fix from my Hallmark movies. I’m good. But, you can have a romantic-love with my work, myself, and what I do (i.e., hobbies, friends/family, travel, conferences, etc.).

First of all, I love where I am. This LOVE took some time. Why? I did not know where I was, metaphorically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Now, I feel present. I love my new home. I love my kid. I love my job. I love my cat. There is so much to love. I just LOVE cooking at home. I could not do that as well in my apartment. And, I did not know how toxic it was in my former place until I left.

I love to write. I might get started on going that self-study or auto-ethnography about my mom and how I see the world. I have a research question and I was validated several time, one time of note at a workshop I had facilitated online. I feel ready now and I had to do the difficult work of my own demons, as I was trying to figure out what it means to be HAPPY and how I can achieve it well.

Finally, this word LOVE will help guide me on how I live my life, do my work, and take care of myself, personally and professionally. There is a lot of TRUST and VULNERABILITY required, but I feel that I am ready to take this task on and do what’s best for me because I love ME and what I do. Sounds cliche, but it’s something that a colleague has been challenging me to do for years. Be selfish.

Again, LOVE can be self-indulgent, but I deserve it. No conditions. No rules. It’s just guidance, vision, JOY, and the courage to do what I love because I love it.