Word of the Year: CREATE

We were fortunate to spend time over the holidays with family. We each were asked to pick a word we wanted to focus on in 2025. My niece brought all sorts of art supplies which gave us the opportunity to spend four days creating whatever we wanted to illustrate our word. Between our studio, wood workshop, art supplies and anything else that wasn’t nailed down, we each created a work of art for ourselves. This is mine. My word is create!

Many moons ago I started designing this background. I started it on one of our Play Dates. It sat for a long time in my studio waiting to be completed as I did not know how to finish it. As I chose the word create for my word of the year, I decided to finish this work and get it done. I utilized ink, acrylics, Scrabble pieces, antique calligraphy nibs, old metal stencils, clock pieces, paper scraps from some of my mixed media work, and even splattered spray paint. Whew! It was a lot and a lot of fun! I like the end result and look forward to finding a place to hang it up.

In our family people chose these words – boundaries, cultivate, rejuvenate, strive, embrace, tenacity, adapt, and create. Each great word evoked wonderful conversations AND encouraged each person to think and create for themselves. What is great about picking one word is that YOU get to focus on you. You get to think about how you want to focus, what you want to do, and where you need to improve your own future. There is no right or wrong word, just one that will help remind you to be the best version of yourself.

So what would your word be for 2025? What do you want to focus on? Is it an action word, a reminder, an emotional cue or something that reminds you of your value? Does your word encourage you to do better, be better, think better, or act with kindness? Or maybe you need a word that gives you a warm hug each time you utter it. No matter your word, it is an interesting challenge to pick just one.

Welcome to the new year. Welcome to that blank slate and an opportunity to be better, do better, and enjoy being who you are AND can become. Let me encourage you to pick a word and spend some time thinking about yourself. There are thousands of words out there and the right one is waiting for you…go ahead. Pick your own word of the year!