Last year, I chose "Awe" as my word of the year. It felt expansive, inspiring, and, at times, overwhelming. According to the dictionary, "Awe" is "a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder." And honestly, that definition captured 2024 perfectly—the highs, the lows, the moments that made me feel deeply connected, and those that left me questioning everything, especially how I have spent and will spend my precious moments of time.
I experienced moments of profound inspiration but also I felt small, unseen, and uncertain, unsure of what came next. There were wins, losses, growth, and challenges that reminded me of how fragile and fleeting life can be. Through it all, I kept returning to the same realization: Time is precious, and for us in this form, it is not infinite.
Why Time for 2025?
Reflecting on where I've been and where I'm heading, I've chosen Time as my guiding word for 2025; by definition, it is "the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole." It's the foundation of everything we experience. It can feel endless in moments of waiting yet painfully brief when fully immersed in something meaningful. It existed well before us and will continue long after we have shared our last breath in this form, in this space.
This year, I want to become more intentional about how I experience Time—not just in the big, milestone moments but also in the small ones that often go unnoticed. I want to value it, respect it, and embrace it as a gift.
25 Ways to Respect, Value, Appreciate, and Embrace Time
- Be Present: Put down the phone, make eye contact, and truly engage in the moment. Meet Friends in Real Life (IRL)
- Set Clear Boundaries: Say no to what doesn't align with your priorities. It is a F Yeah, if not, then it is OK to be a Hell No!
- Practice Mindful Pauses: Take a breath. Hug a tree. Be still for just a moment. Sit in silence with just the natural sounds and your mind.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Not everything meaningful has to be monumental. Did you get out of bed on a day when that felt like an insane request...Celebrate that ish! It's a win!!
- Honor Rest: Resting is not wasted—it's necessary. Naps are my Friend...I should make that a shirt!
- Plan with Intention: Block your schedule with productivity and play in mind. Find the balance between work and silly.
- Limit Distractions: Turn off notifications when focusing on something meaningful. Put the phone away, turn off the TV, and remove distractions where possible.
- Let Go of Perfection: Progress matters more than flawless execution. Embrace imperfection!
- Spend Moments in Nature and Nurture: Walk through a park or explore a new space/place that sparks curiosity.
- Reflect Regularly: Journal or simply pause to check in on how you're using your Time. I have a running voice recording on my phone that is random, thoughtful, and long AF. I just keep adding more and loving it.
- Share Experiences with Loved Ones: Quality matters more than quantity.
- Create Unstructured Spaces: Allow for moments without plans to explore creativity. Be spontaneous and trust yourself!
- Learn Something New: Investments in growth always pay back. I still can not draw a stick figure, but I am a self-taught artist with paintings in homes across the country!
- Express Gratitude: Reflect on the gift of the present moment. Give thanks, even for the things that feel insignificant, bad, or random.
- Declutter Your Mind: Release old habits and thoughts that no longer serve you. Step by step, give yourself grace!
- Practice Awareness: Notice how you spend your minutes without judgment. Is there a rabbit hole motivation suck that sends you spiraling....ahem yep, that doom scrolling is taking away your precious commodity!
- Prioritize Self-Care: Care for yourself as much as your tasks, your work, and others!
- Let Go of Busyness: Being busy doesn't mean being productive. Stop the busy game! Spoiler Alert...NO ONE WINS that game!
- Use Affirmations: "I have enough time for what matters most."
- Reconnect with Joy: Dance. Laugh. Play. LAUGH! As much as possible!
- Release Comparison: Your timeline is uniquely yours. This is your moment!
- Honor Life's Cycles: Not every season will feel productive—and that's OK!
- Treasure the Ordinary: Simple moments often hold the most beauty. Be MEH, Magical, Energetic, Healing and when it feels right, add a little #20 to the experience.
- Practice Forgiveness: Letting go of past regrets frees future dreams.
- Recognize This Special Gift of Preciousness: Every moment matters, even the quiet ones.
How I Plan to Embrace Time in 2025
This year, I'm not trying to master Time. I'm learning to partner with it. I want to be more present with my family, friends, my soul work, and me, myself and I—without the pressure to squeeze productivity out of every moment. I'm committed to noticing the small, beautiful experiences: the way sunlight filters through the windows of my home at various points in the day, the laughter shared during a spontaneous conversation, and the quiet peace of simply being.
And when things feels rushed or overwhelming, I'll return to my word. I'll remind myself that it's OK to pause, redirect, and trust that I'm exactly where I need to be.
What would shift for you if you chose to honor Time as a precious gift this year? What word is inspiring, motivating, and/or challenging you?
Your word is powerful. I'd love to hear the why behind your word of the year. Head over to my Instagram to share https://www.instagram.com/allcheri/ and drop a comment on my Word of The Year post. Also, why are you there, go ahead and click the follow button if you have not already!
I wish you a year of presence, growth, and grace. May you have the time of your life. I swear it's the truth. Que the DD song, IYKYK, for many years and moments to come!