Have you chosen your word of the year yet? Instead of making resolutions, which would inevitably fall through, I decided a couple of years ago to designate a word that will guide me throughout the year. My 2015 word was Intentional, and my 2016 word was Fearless.

In 2017, I’ve decided to shift a bit and settle into a very different focus: just breathe.

A quick recap…

At the beginning of 2015, I decided to make a very conscious effort to live intentionally. The beauty of living intentionally is that it means something different for each individual. For me in 2015, the main focus was my career. I officially started Milly Media that January and signed my first client in February. I took on just a little more at a time until finally, in August 2015, I was able to quit my job and work for myself full time. It has easily been the most difficult, most terrifying, and most rewarding experience of my life.

In 2016, my career was again my focus. I decided to be fearless in pursuing new clients and pushing myself way past my comfort zone. In February I spoke at the Downtown Raleigh Home Show, and then I began teaching small business seminars for the NC Small Business Network. I’ve never been one to like being in front of crowds, but I actually found that it was exhilarating! I took a graphic design course. I became an officer in three civic clubs and joined the boards of two nonprofits, one local and one statewide. All year I teetered on the line between “say yes and figure the rest out later” and “make ‘no’ a complete sentence;” and although I still struggle with it, I have a much better handle on what to say yes and no to.

This year, I’m taking a different approach. I am in no way taking a step back or slowing down…my goal is simply to be present. To take in my life and the world around me. To breathe.

At 29, I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have before. I feel happier than ever before. All of a sudden, it feels like so many aspects of my life have fallen into place. Scratch that…I’ve worked my ass off to get them into place! I feel more fulfilled than ever, in my relationships, in my career, in my health, and in my mental state. I’ve even taken up yoga! That’s not to say that everything is perfect. There are many parts of my life that still need lots of work. But I want to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Just a moment to breathe.

What’s your word of the year?