Every year, I choose three words to guide me through the year, and to keep close. They help me with decisions, plans, and sometimes just with feelings – because they’re chosen based very much on how I want to feel and be and show up.

Some years words repeat – in 2024 they were unusually exactly the same as 2023 – and this year I have two brand new ones and one that I’ve had before. As always, I stamp them on a bangle so I can keep them close and visible all year, to remind me of what I want and what I chose as the year progresses.

My words for 2025 are Ease, Intuition and Rise.

Ease is part of my Style Statement, and something I want in all parts of my life. I’ve created it in some parts, and in others there is still a lot of unnecessary faff. Specifically, as this year begins, I have strong feelings about streamlining and simplifying, making it quicker and more straightforward for me to share & post & write, removing blocks and generally making the things I find hard as easy as possible. Ease also speaks to becoming more at ease with my own schedule and night owl preferences, and a more spacious approach to getting things done. And it’s a reminder to lean into the things which feel easy to me, and delegate or ditch, wherever possible, the ones that feel hard or impossible.

Intuition is the one I’ve had in previous years – I think this is its third appearance in 11 years. I went round in circles on quite a few connected words before settling on intuition – because for me this year, it’s very intertwined with setting boundaries, with trusting myself, with remembering to check in with how I feel and not saying yes to everything before I’ve had a chance to actually think through the consequences. It’s as much to do with focus and creating as it is with my internal voice, and I’m hopeful it’s going to be a very useful compass for me this year.

Rise is my affirmation. It’s been a rough few years in many ways, and I have been stuck in overwhelm and demands and have really struggled to forge a path forwards. In recent months I’ve been dancing again, and I’ve been practicing this new approach to my to do list and my weeks, and trying to work with my brain rather than against it. I’ve also been prioritising sleep more than I usually do. And from all of this, I hope to rise, and sparkle – to create the sustainable, magical & thriving business & life I know I am capable of, but without burning out and without pressure or comparisonitis kicking in. I chose Rise because it felt less intense than Thrive, more positive than Grow (I’ve had grow as a word before and it can be a double edged sword) and most of all, it just felt like the right word to complete this year’s three.

Here’s a bonus pic of all my bangles together – tried to stack them but my patience ran out before they stayed stacked!

Do you choose words for the year? I’d love to know yours for 2025 if you fancy sharing!