Staying open
As I shared in last month’s blog, I don’t set New Year’s resolutions—instead, I prefer to set intentions. I’ve never felt we need the extra pressure to suddenly become better versions of ourselves. Instead, I pick a word that anchors me, something that acts as a kind of centrifugal force throughout the year. Sometimes, the word finds me. It whispers to me towards the end of the previous year, making itself known until it feels like the obvious choice.
In past years, my words have included integrate—when I was focused on bringing different aspects of my life together. Last year, it was moonshine—a little quirky, a little offbeat, but powerful in its own way. And a few years ago, when I was going through a significant period of change (a recurring theme in my life), I declared it the year of me, knowing how easy it would be to prioritise everyone else instead of myself.
This year’s word is different. As you may know, the last few years have brought a lot of loss for me in various forms - estrangement, grief, relocation, and the natural evolution of relationships. While in Australia, I spent time reflecting on how I’ve been feeling and what would truly serve me in 2025.
I noticed an instinct to close down, to protect myself, to rely solely on my own independence. And while self-resilience and giving yourself permission to feel matters, I realised that shutting myself off completely wasn’t the answer. I care deeply, it’s who I am. And closing that off just didn’t feel right.
The word that kept coming back to me was open. At first, it felt like a challenge—the last thing I instinctively wanted to be. But the more I sat with it, the more I saw its potential. Open is about revealing what’s inside, much like unwrapping a present. It’s about looking at who I am now and what truly matters to me at this stage in my life. With my daughter off at university, I have a unique opportunity to redefine how my life looks and feels, and where I choose to invest my time, energy, and resources.
Then I started thinking about all the ways open shows up in life:
Open-armed—welcoming new experiences and people.
Open-hearted—allowing myself to feel and connect.
Open-minded—embracing different perspectives and ideas.
Open-ended—letting go of rigid expectations.
Open-eyed—seeing the world with fresh curiosity.
It feels like a word with depth, something that will challenge me while also offering opportunities for growth. And let’s be honest, part of me still wants to hunker down on the sofa under a blanket and avoid the world—but I know that’s not what will serve me in the long run.
One way I’ve made this word tangible is through a simple but meaningful reminder. While in Australia, my daughter and I visited a beading shop in Byron Bay, where you could pick out beads and make your own jewellery. Inspired, I created a bracelet with my word of the year, adding stones intuitively. I later discovered I’d chosen malachite—a stone of transformation, which felt fitting. Now, this bracelet sits on my wrist as a daily reminder to stay open, to embrace the opportunities and challenges this year brings.
I’d love to know—do you pick a word for the year? If so, what did you choose for 2025? And if you haven’t chosen one yet, it’s never too late to find a word that resonates with you.
Sometimes, the right word is waiting to reveal itself when you least expect it.
