It’s a new year. I don’t know if you’re someone who’s ready to pull your hair out at one more mention of productivity, “new year, new you,” resolutions, and SMART goals or if you clicked to this post because like Leslie Knope your hobbies list includes “jammin’ on my planner.” Though I myself am one of those dorky planner and goals loving gals, I do have a yearly tradition that is a much gentler approach to a New Year Resolution of sorts.
As the calendar turns, I make it a yearly tradition to thoughtfully and intentionally select a singular word or phrase that will serve as my guiding light for the upcoming journey around the sun. It’s not a strict goal. It’s not a long to-do list. Rather it is a loose aim or sometimes simply a gentle reminder for what I want to focus on and be mindful of in the new year. It acts as a filter in which to order my priorities and a compass to direct my path.
In this post, I invite you into my intimate process of reflecting on my 2023 focus and choosing my focus for 2024 If you’re curious about the general methodology and interested in embarking on this empowering journey yourself, explore the details in this dedicated blog post, How to Choose Your One Word Focus, which includes a free worksheet.
If you’d prefer to watch the video version of this post, click here to watch it on YouTube
Review of My 2023 Focus
My focus for 2023 was “CLEAR.”
You can read more about my focus for 2023 and why I chose it here, but basically it had to do with physical and metaphorical “clearing” of my brand, brain fog, and (storage) boxes.
I’ve had this blog for 8 years and though it’s always centered around personal development, it has taken on some different nuanced forms and has expanded into different mediums, such as YouTube and now livestreaming on Twitch! In 2023 I wanted to spend some time finding clarity on the more nuanced aspects of what I want my brand to be, aligning or realigning with who I think I’m best fit to serve, and figuring out what my next steps should be.
When I started this year I did NOT expect to end up streaming on Twitch! It never even crossed my mind, especially considering live-streaming was (is!) one of my greatest fears. I gave it a try in June, thinking it would just be a good occasional exercise in facing my fears and practicing speaking in front of others. I did not expect to fall in love with it, stream more often than I knew I could have energy for, AND reach “Affiliate” status to be able to start making some money from it in less than a month! It’s still TERRIFYING every time I go live, but I’m loving it, making a lot of great connections, and excited for the possibilities.
I’ve started off my Twitch channel as a cozy place to hang out while playing some games or having focused coworking sessions together, but someday as I get braver and don’t need a game to be a crutch as much, I’d love to go a bit deeper with personal development, mental health, personality, and goals related conversations live with my viewers. Possibly even host occasional mini webinars and/or segments to offer encouragement and inspiration. At the moment I’m way too scared and scatter-brained to talk for long on stream without it being in response to a chatter or something I’m doing (like playing a game). But I hope to get there with practice.
Live-streaming will also be a great opportunity to gain even more feedback on what people need within my niches of expertise and how I can best provide support, resources, and blog/youtube content. I’m excited for the possibilities if only I can be brave enough to keep showing up and trying new things.
As expected, live-streaming also brings up a lot of my insecurities, especially around being interesting enough or pretty enough. Though there is of course a very personal element to my YouTube videos, it’s focused on the information I am presenting; whereas with how I livestream on Twitch, it feels a LOT more personal. If people don’t like the stream, it’s pretty much that they don’t like being around ME as a person, given the casual hangout nature of streaming. But that’s a big reason why I want to continue on Twitch: I want to keep showing up despite my fears and insecurities so hopefully they will start to lose their power. We are not for everyone and that is ok. I know that in my head but don’t yet feel it in my heart.
The other part of my “Clear” focus for the year had to do with clearing brain fog. I’ve suffered with some form of brain fog and derealization for as far back as I can remember. It was especially bad in 2018 and started getting better as my depression significantly became more manageable with my 1st antidepressant, but by 2022 it started becoming consistently bad again. It was rather unsettling and even scary at times. So I wanted a lot of my 2023 focus to be around searching for ways to improve it, along with my other mental health conditions. My ADHD diagnoses became another big piece to the puzzle for what can cause some of my brain fog.
I still haven’t landed on the right medications yet and it’s honestly been rather discouraging, but my wonderful psychiatrist has continued to give me hope through the whole process. And we have made steps forward even if it feels small sometimes. I’ll continue to test and do what I can to be as healthy as I am able to be.
That brings us to this next chapter of my life and what I’ve decided to focus on.
My Focus for 2024: HYGGE
What does it mean to me and why did I choose it?
First of all…what the heck is that word? Was that a typo?
“Hygge” (pronounced hoo-guh) is a Danish word that describes a quality of coziness, comfort, and contentment. It encourages embracing the simple pleasures of life and making everyday moments special. From the calming ambience of flickering candles, to snuggling under a wam blanket, to taking the time to make bread by hand, to having deep conversations with a friend over coffee.
It’s no wonder Denmark continues to be rated the happiest country on earth with how much they value and intentionally find and create these regular little moments of happiness and curate enjoyable, atmospheric environments.
Even though I’ve grown a lot in it over the years, I still struggle with putting too much pressure on myself to be productive and “good enough.” Especially as I’m still wrestling often with my depression, anxiety, and fatigue that makes it extra difficult to do much of anything most days.
So this year I want to be even more gentle with myself and fill my time with more things that bring me joy. Take more time to pause and savor the present moment rather than constantly focus (and worry about) what’s next. Intentionally build deeper connections with my favorite people and indulge in quality time and conversation with them. Let my mind wander in the stillness with a cup of peppermint tea in hand. Read books, play video games, and practice my art without shaming myself for what my mean inner critic tells me I “should” be doing instead with my time.
My Reminders
Whenever I choose my word or phrase for the year, I like to create some sort of reminder for myself to help it stay at the forefront of my mind every day. Some of my past reminders have included wall art, my phone lock screen, engraved bracelets, nail polish, and a collage in my planner. This year I bought myself a cute new mug that says “Cup of Cozy” on the inside lip that I want to use as many mornings as I can to start and ease into my day with tea, cozy quiet, reflection, and sunshine.
I’m also currently looking for a new wallpaper for the lockscreen of my phone so I also have the reminder every time I pick up my phone as I go about my day.
Conclusion
Though I hope to still get some “productive” things done this year lol (such as more blog posts and videos for you guys, streaming on Twitch, being more intentional with practicing my art, and exercising a bit more regularly), I’m not going to set very many solid goals. And if you know me, you know that’s hard lol.
But that’s the point.
I want to go more with the flow of my energy and inspiration this year, take as much pressure off myself as I can (which will also relieve a lot of my anxiety), be gentler and kinder to myself whenever I’m not able to do what I feel I “should” or want to do, practice more self-care, and add more into my life that bring me joy, peace, and comfort.
My approach to goals has been very different the past few years than what it used to be and what comes most naturally to me. I’m curious to hear about your own relationship and journey with goals! Are you naturally a planner or a go-with-the-flow kind of person? Are you someone who puts too much pressure on yourself or could you do with a bit more intentionality in your life? What have you found works best for you and has that changed over the years? Comment below!
Your Turn:
What’s YOUR One Word focus for 2024? Need some help choosing it? Click here.
If you’d like to read about my past past focuses, check out the links below:
- My 2023 Focus
- My 2022 Focus
- My 2021 Focus
- My 2020 Focus
- My 2019 Focus
- My 2018 Focus
- My 2017 Focus
- My 2016 Focus
Want some tips for setting and reaching your goals? Check out these posts:
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