Hi friends, happy first hump day of 2024!

I know for many of us, we are still trying to find our bearings in the new year. Our kids don’t go back to school until next Tuesday so I am trying to find a balance this week of being ready to jump back into work and having the girls home and wanting to spend time and attention on them too. I mentioned this yesterday but, we are usually on vacation this week which makes the long winter break feel not so long but this year we are home (Savannah is recovering from surgery) and I would be lying if I said we are aren’t bored, off kilter and truthfully, all ready to be back into routines and schedules.

But, we are going to soak in the last days of winter break (praise Jesus for no school emails or homework) and find pockets of time to work as I can. The girls are currently playing Roblox with their friends so I thought I would sit down with some hot tea and write to you today about…

…my 2024 word of the year.

Yesterday, I shared with you my 2024 ins/outs (I am loving this trend) but I also set a word for the year too. Part of me didn’t think I would but then I just kept coming back to this word randomly and thought, the Lord is really trying to tell me something so I got quiet and listened.

Focus.

That is the big word the Lord kept calling me back to over and over again. I saw it everywhere. It popped up into my thoughts a ton. I would pray for it and about it and so I decided to go all.

What am I focusing on?

To start, I want to be focused on the things that really matter to me which I know sounds idealistic. But truly, if I want to create a life I love to live, one I am proud of and one that feels in true alignment, I need to get clear on what I want and how my calendar, actions, behavior and everyday life feel in tune. I truly believe that it is much easier to stay out of alignment than in alignment with who you want to be and where you want to go so I really want to focus on being, acting and behaving in ways that build the life of my dreams.

This isn’t an all encompassing list as life and everyday throws so much at us but to start here is what I am thinking…

• I want to focus my time on what truly brings me joy to say yes to.

• I want to focus my energy on the things that bring positive, life-giving change to my family and the world.

• I want to focus on my relationship with Jesus rather than the church.

• I want to focus my spending/money on things that are intentional and serve a true purpose.

• I want to focus my business on making a lasting impact on the lives of my customers/followers.

• I want to focus my eating on nourishing, whole foods so I can enjoy the treats when I have them.

• I want to focus on moving my body in ways that support it rather than what I think I should do.

• I want to focus my free time on myself and my family rather than filling our calendar with people and things to do.

At the end of the day, I want to focus inwards — for myself and my family. The last few years have come with a lot of noise and outside perspective and I want to focus on what brings us joy rather than what society and others think that should be.

Can you relate? Can you see how my 2024 theme sits with yours or maybe even aligns? Or maybe you are the complete opposite which is really awesome too. I would love to hear below!