Embracing Simplicity: A Journey to Finding a Word for 2025

`

The new year is here. It's January 1, 2025. As we embark on this fresh start, the tradition of looking back and imagining what lies ahead becomes significant. Last year, my focus was on the word Connection. This concept was particularly meaningful to me as I went through my health journey, rediscovering a connection with myself and strengthening bonds with important people and places. However, after gaining important insights from the tumultuous year of 2024, I'm drawn to a new word for 2025: Simplicity.

```

When I think about my experiences over the past year, I realize that I’ve been overwhelmed by the noise of everyday life. Social media updates, constant notifications, and the need to keep up with the relentless pace of existence often overshadow the essence of what truly matters. My health journey taught me the sheer power of tuning out the chaos and focusing inward, which ultimately led to stronger connections with others. But as we step into a new year, I feel an overwhelming desire to strip away the excess and embrace the simplicity surrounding me.

The Power of Self-Connection

Ah, self-connection—what a profound concept! We often glance outward for validation, connection, and joy, yet the first step always lies within. During my health journey, it became starkly clear that I needed to foster a relationship with myself. This wasn't just about physical health; it involved exploring my emotions, understanding my thoughts, and relearning what I cherished.

Embracing simplicity involves understanding my needs and passions while gently releasing societal pressures. This transformative journey often involved quiet moments spent sitting on my mat, extensive writing, journaling, and enjoying the small pleasures—a cup of lemon ginger tea, my favorite sweatshirt, or sitting on the porch watching people pass by and observing the Fall leaves in the wind.

Reconnecting with Others

Through my journey of self-discovery, I found myself reaching out to friends and family I had lost touch with over time. The idea of connection expanded beyond myself; it blossomed into a network of relationships that once fed my spirit but had fallen to the wayside due to the overload of modern life.

This reconnection was incredibly fulfilling. Gradually, I started to fill my life with genuine interactions instead of shallow engagements. Whether it was catching up over coffee or making up for lost time during a walk, each meeting reminded me of the importance of nurturing relationships that give life to our existence. As someone who values human connection, it's no surprise that I became so disconnected and burnt out by only interacting through computer screens and hurried phone calls. I suppose COVID was the beginning of this, but I do wonder why I let it get so out of control. Connection with others, no matter how big or small, is essential for me. Do you feel the same?

In 2025, I want to hold onto that spirit of connection but approach it through the lens of simplicity. Instead of feeling pressure to always socialize in busy, loud environments, I aim to seek quieter, more intimate settings where genuine conversations can flourish without distractions.

Embracing Nature and the Outdoors

One aspect I reconnected with during my health journey was my love for nature. As a child, my grandmother would take me on long walks. I have fond memories of those times. She was so knowledgeable, able to name every tree, weed, and wildflower. She knew all sorts of fascinating facts and uses for things found in nature. She would talk while I explored and recalling that sense of freedom almost makes me feel nostalgic, as if it were a lifetime ago. In a world overwhelmed by overstimulation, nothing rejuvenates the spirit quite like the great outdoors. Simplicity often reveals itself in the ripples of the lake at our family cottage. The way the light sparkles on the lake during happy hour... these simple yet beautiful things. I want more of this.

By choosing Simplicity as my word for 2025, I’m dedicating myself to spending more time outdoors, observing things like this patch of daisies in someone’s driveway, healthy, growing, and thriving during the first snowfall of the year. These flowers have given me many simple moments of joy on my daily walks. There's something about them that reminds me of resilience, hope, and being alive, connecting with the comforting rhythms of nature. The goal is to savor each moment spent outside, free from the noise that life often brings.

Mindful Living: Books Over Screens

In our technology-driven world, screens often capture our attention, leading us to engage in passive consumption rather than meaningful interaction. Embracing simplicity means opting for substance over endless scrolling. I've rekindled my love for books, appreciating how a story can transport us without the distraction of constant notifications. I have several books on the go, marked with various amusing household items. Some are books I want to reread, others are cookbooks. My husband gave me a book about the true story of Alex and Eddie Van Halen, my favorite band from my teenage years. It's enjoyable to dive into, and I found learning about their childhood particularly interesting.. I have magazines on my bedside table and a manual from my yoga training. Although some days I think it's overwhelming and tell myself to finish one before starting another, I am enjoying the feel of the pages and nourishing my mind with topics that interest me, choosing based on my mood rather than TikTok content, which leaves me feeling agitated and empty after endless scrolling.

Spending time with a good book not only soothes the mind but also enhances our understanding of ourselves and others. By engaging with literature—be it fiction, philosophy, or poetry—I aim to form meaningful connections with words and creative concepts, rather than impersonal interactions through digital devices. The key is to leave your phone in a different room, silence it, and dedicate time to learning, laughing, or finding inspiration.

Hello 2025

As you step into 2025 and become familiar with it, I encourage you to consider embracing simplicity in your life. Reflect on what genuinely matters to you—be it self-connection, nurturing relationships, or interacting with nature. In this process, push yourself to remove the unnecessary noise that frequently clouds our experiences.

The journey toward simplicity is personal and varies for each individual, yet in our overstimulated world, it provides a promising route back to balance and clarity. I truly want that for all of us.

Grounding ourselves in what gives us a feeling of completeness not only enhances our lives but also opens up opportunities for new and meaningful relationships to grow. Here's to a new year filled with simplicity, purpose, and life's beauty. Thank you for being here with me; I am excited to continue sharing this little space we've built together in the coming year.

As always, take good care XO