2025 Word of the Year: DISCOVER

As I sat down to reflect on my 2024 word, I realized I didn’t even select one! I don’t know if it’s because we traveled for the holidays last year and I lurched back into routine upon our return or whatever the reason. So, looking at the last year, if I had to select a word based on my experiences, I would have to say it was CHANGE. The things that stick out the most: starting the same job at a different school, joining a book club & reading several books out of my usual genre, and having major dental work which resulted in my first experience with general anesthesia.

Perhaps next year I will reflect on the year and choose a word that actually fits the year I had before selecting a new Word of the Year. Pushing myself to think about my life and how I choose to proceed through the next twelve months can be an overwhelming task, and just like the last several years, I’ve used a generator to come up with my 2025 Word of the Year. Using a generator is definitely not the original way of finding a word but it works for me. I spun the “word wheel” quite a few times before I came to a word that resonated with me. So, without further ado, my 2025 Word of the Year is …

DISCOVER!

The dictionary defines DISCOVER this way:

verb

1. find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search

2. become aware of (a fact or situation)

Looking to 2025

How does one take the word DISCOVER and use it to improve upon themselves? I’m already thinking about it in big ways:

• I’d like to travel more and DISCOVER places I haven’t visited yet.
• I want to find more of myself as an individual – not who I am as a wife, mom, daughter, etc. But what are the things I like to do when I’m left to my own devices?
  • I’ve read that some of the ways to discover myself is to set goals, identify values and ponder things when I have questions.
    • Goals:
      • 1. Reconnect with my inner athlete. (Let’s be real – I’ve never been an athlete but I did start to thoroughly enjoy my workout routine and then lost the desire to keep it up when I changed schools.)
      • 2. Actually, FOR REAL, write the book I’ve been talking about writing for WAYYYYY too long.
      • 3.
    • Personal Values: I have to say, I believe our core values can change over time. But as of now, mine are: reliability, responsibility, dedication and empathy.

What is your ‘WORD OF THE YEAR’ for 2025?