Hi hi Reader,

It's Word of the Year time. (Yes, I'm still doing this practice—over a decade and counting!)

Do you remember 2013 when I picked adventure and ended up pregnant with twins? 😳😂 Turns out, adventure had some plans of its own.

This year, though, my word hits a little differently.

But First: Let’s Acknowledge This Week

I’m not a political commentator. I’m not an activist. And it’s easy for me to think my job is just to keep my head down and do my work.

BUT ALSO?

I know that every single person reading this has deep longings—for both their individual lives and our collective world.

So my voice matters here too.

What I really want to say is this: fascism is bad. Full stop.

Four days into this new administration, and the fatigue is already creeping in. Which points me to two truths:

1. They want us numb, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
2. That’s exactly why I’m doubling down on what I know keeps me resourced.

More sleep. Less scroll.
More out in the world. Less in front of a screen.
More what can I do today to help? Less omg we’re doomed.

Because doomscrolling your way to burnout isn’t helping anyone—least of all you.

WHICH WE KNOW. And yet. And yet. And yet.

The thing we have to remember is that the more we do it, the more hooked we become.

And once you’re hooked, breaking free feels nearly impossible. At least in the moment.

And listen: this isn’t an accident. It’s not a weakness or a moral failing. This is all on purpose.

Whether it’s social media, Doritos, or slot machines, these corporations—beholden to shareholders—employ scientists to hijack our brains. Without us even realizing it.

And it works. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down to “just check Instagram” and emerged 45 minutes later wondering where my willpower went.

So let me say this loud and clear: reading the news on your phone isn’t the same thing as being part of the resistance.

You won’t miss anything if you walk away for a while. Take a nap. Touch some grass. Laugh with a friend.

You aren’t being irresponsible. You’re re-sourcing yourself.
And I promise you’ll show up more wholly because of it.

The Bad Guys Want Us Exhausted

But we know better.

We know what keeps us resourced:

More community.
More connection.
More creativity.
More curiosity.

Even more faith in humanity.
And love.
And radical self-belief.

Even though it’s hard.
Even though it’s going to get harder.

We pause.
We breathe.
And we come back to ourselves.
As long as we've got.
Because this is our practice of being human. Together.

And this brings me to my own antidote for 2025:

For my 2025 word, I wanted to find something that feels like both a stretch and a coming home.

Something that invites me to sharpen my inner wisdom, trust what’s already here, and let my light shine—no chasing, no more adding to the pile.

So here it is: AUDACITY.

And honestly? Even choosing the word audacity feels audacious.

bEcAuSe wHo aM I To cLaIm tHiS KiNd oF BoLdNeSs fOr mYsElF?

And isn’t that exactly the point?

Because this is what I want—not just for me, but for so many of us:
To take up space.
To claim what’s ours.
To live boldly and unapologetically as the people we’re meant to be.

Here’s where it clicked for me—audacity isn’t just about being bold.

It’s about showing up brilliantly and boldly, without overcomplicating it.

So, because I love a good visual (and you do too, right?), I mapped it out:

Enter: the AUDACITY Venn Diagram.

​

✨ Brilliant – Leaning into my innate genius, the kind that doesn’t try to impress but just… is.

✨ Bold – Daring to share what matters, even when it makes us want to hide under the covers.

✨ Simple – Keeping it clear, clean, and unfussy (because overcomplicating? That’s so last year.).

And where all three things overlap? AUDACITY lives there.

• Brilliant + Simple (no bold) = meh.
• Simple + Bold (no brilliant) = flashy but hollow.
• Bold + Brilliant (no simple) = wayyyyy too complicated.

But Brilliant + Bold + Simple? That’s where the magic (and audacity) happens.

Want to do this together?

If you’re ready to get centered on what your year holds—or just ready to start living with more intention, clarity, and audacity—come join us in Gentle Productivity Club!

This is where we’ll pause, breathe, and fuel ourselves—so you can stop spinning out and start showing up for your real work.

Use the code LETSGO for 50% off your first month. Your audacious 2025 starts here.

PS. What’s YOUR word for the year? Hit reply—I’d love to know!