Soft, softening, softness

I'm avoiding social media and the news this week—let's talk about the words guiding our year instead.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Owl feather in the backyard.

Oversized cashmere cardigan.

Open palms.

Chunky throw blanket.

Belly skin.

Deep breaths.

Fuzz of a summer peach.

Linen sheets.

Projects without a deadline.

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My word of the year: soft.

It’s expansive—light, open, curious, tender—and I’m thinking about it in a few ways.

There’s the softness of a physical environment—objects that are soft to the touch and make me feel cozy and comfortable.

There’s the softness of the physical body—being kind to the curves, the fullness, noticing my breath, filling all sides of my diaphragm in a child’s pose, welcoming the portal of transition in perimenopause (while binging this entire podcast).

There’s emotional softness—where I’ll ask myself, Where can I open? Or, What would love do? (I can’t for the life of me remember where I heard this line, but I love it. And love would soften.)

There’s creative softness—releasing deadlines, allowing time to do its work.

Soft does not mean abandoning, dismissing, or ignoring, but does mean unclenching from what’s been held for too long and too tightly.

Yes, you can still hold a boundary and be soft.

Softness is freedom.

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Over to you—what word, or words, will be guiding 2025?

Until next time,
Nicole