My Word for 2024: Strong

Before I begin, know that I fully recognize that it’s May.

I selected my word of the year way back in December of 2023. After letting it marinade for a few days, I spent an hour looking for the perfect bracelet on Etsy that would display its letters each and every day. I also knew that beaded circle would remind me every day to lean into the word.

Something happened though. I wasn’t proud of my word. I didn’t feel like I WAS embodying my word. To make matters worse, I went on a trip to Hawaii in February and that same bracelet I mentioned tarnished in the ocean. Was that a sign that I had chosen the wrong word?

Two months, one replacement bracelet, and what feels like a lifetime later, I am finally sharing my word. It’s STRONG, and so am I.

2023 was truly the year of the woman. Whether Beyonce, Barbie, or Taylor Swift, women were everywhere. They were speaking (and singing!) their truth, they were saving the economy, and the women of the world were CELEBRATING them. I also saw the same in my life. My girl gang achieved great things, we supported one another, and we continued to thrive. I truly hope the young women of the world saw all of this happening too. That they saw the possibility of achieving ANYTHING they want in this life as they saw their sisters conquering it all.

In light of all of this and because it’s VERY MUCH TIME, I knew that 2024 was a year that I wanted to stand in my power.

I wanted to be proud of what I have accomplished. I wanted to celebrate in this life I live. I wanted to feel strong. And just like that, strong became my word of the year.

DEFINING STRONG

Once I solidified my choice of words, it was time to validate its meaning by checking out the formal definitions.

Strong (adj):

having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
able to perform a specified action well and powerfully.
exerting great force.
possessing skills and qualities that create a likelihood of success.
able to withstand great force or pressure.
not easily disturbed, upset, or affected.
(of something seen or heard) not soft or muted; clear or prominent.

Strength (noun):

the quality or state of being physically strong.
the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.

These definitions confirm my intentions for 2024, and now to connect the dots with what I have in mind for the next 7 months of the year.

Acknowledge my Strengths

2024 is an 8 year in Numerology, and the number 8 in the Tarot is associated with the Strength card. My soul number in numerology (based on my date of birth) is also an 8.

With all of these 8s and mighty lions coming together in 2024, I don’t think there’s every been a year that is more associated with me and my strength than this one.

Remember I Can Do Hard Things

Also in the spirit of being strong, I’ll share that I’ve recently accepted a new job with a new company. I am walking away from an incredible organization where I’ve spent the past 4 years and leaping into a ground-breaking startup that’s about to take the healthcare industry by storm. To be honest and even though I am invigorated by the possibility of this new opportunity, walking away from what I know is incredibly hard. The people that I support and that support me are hands down some of the best people I’ve ever worked with.

But it’s time to go. I know this for sure, deep down in my soul.

A little over a month ago (taking the advice of a dear friend), I told the universe I was ready for something new. Exhausted, I asked for it to be easy and to be more amazing than I could ever imagine. I half-believed that anything would happen, but felt peace that I had put it out into the uni that I was ready and open. It felt like I had written a letter directly from my heart and sent it out into the world.

Like clockwork, something new flew in to introduce itself and within 5 weeks, I had accepted a position and an offer that far exceeded my expectations. The interview process allowed me to meet so much of the team, and in that same easy way, I just showed up. I didn’t pretend to be anyone I wasn’t, I didn’t overly prepare myself. I just shared who I am and how I lead, and it was an authentic match. I just know we’re going to do amazing things together and, honestly, we’re going to change the world.

Saying goodbye to my current team still feels incredibly hard, and as my last day approaches, I know there will be tears, even if they are happy ones. I’ve compartmentalized the emotion I feel as this transition takes place. There are tears because it mattered, because all the very best things in life matter. I also know this new opportunity is absolutely happening FOR me and that I can do hard things.

There is Strength in Numbers

I saw something on LinkedIn today from Susan David, PhD. She shared a short video talking about emotional agility. David used a tunnel analogy to describe how people overcome burnout. She vividly compares burnout to navigating a dark tunnel trying to get to the light. David alternatively says that struggling your way to light is not your only choice; instead, offering that you have the options that include leaning on the wall of the tunnel and also asking others for help.

Asking for help. It’s not my first instinct. As a wildly independent, DIY kind of gal, I have a great circle of folks willing and able to help. If given the choice between burning out and asking for help, I know which one I need to use this time around and that I’ve strengthened my voice to ask for help when I need it.

Keep in mind, I need nothing in particular right now. Maybe someone to spread some mulch in the yard, but that’s more cosmetic than anything else.

Plant Strong Roots

Perhaps a little bit of a stretch, I’m dreaming of becoming a cut flower farmer and those flowers require some strong roots!

Every summer, I spend time traveling to local flower farms to collect bouquets of gorgeous farm grown flowers. Toward the end of the season last year and after a chat with one of the growers, I decided I might try my hand at growing my own cut flowers. The “cut flower” distinction indicates that flowers that you can cut and put in vases. Isn’t that the most lovely thought? That you could walk into your yard and cut flowers and place them in a vase? That’s what I’m hoping to do this year!

To be clear, my “flower farm” will be small. I only have so much space to plant, but I’ve been devouring everything I can find on cut flower gardening and recognize it can be as big or small as you want it to be. I’ve gotten to know my growing zone (5b) and learned which seeds produce the very best flowers for my area. My TikTok feed is about 80% flowertok (10% SwiftTok, 10% OregonTok). I never get tired of learning about how to do things and now that it’s nearly the end of our frost season, it’s go time.

This page may eventually convert to a flower page if when ~~anything~~ everything grows and blooms in a few months. Stay tuned.

Lean into my Superpowers

When I think of my superpowers, I think of those things that are innately and authentically me. I get lost in being creative. I love public speaking. I really enjoy motivating people. My intuition is incredibly strong.

If I’m honest, I don’t spend as much time as I’d like in my superpowers. The burdens of life and all the shoulds tend to take over, and I often feel like I’m living in a constant state of the Sunday Scaries.

There are always ways to infuse what you love into your life. Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours, the time is never wasted doing what you love. That’s exactly what I plan to do this year.

If we are not authentically traveling through this life and doing those things we really love, what are we even doing? I recognize I have more than enough strength to make all of this happen, and it starts now.