My Word for 2024 is “Pause”

Posted December 30, 2023 by Prairie Wife - 2 comments

I love this time of year and the time for reflection the end of the year brings!

Setting goals, planning, making lists…they’re all my love language.

Over the last ten years, I’ve consistently made lists of New Year’s Goals and Resolutions (and followed through on a solid 15% of them lol) or come up with phrases or words to focus on for the coming year.

A few examples:

“Soften”

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

“Heal”

“Grit and Grace”

And my word for 2023 “Grow”

As I sat down late last week and read through New Year’s posts of the past in preparation for this post, I found myself nodding along and appreciating who I was when I wrote those posts…and who I am today.

It’s safe to say that “Grow” was absolutely the focus of 2023 for me, especially professionally.

The Prairie Wife Brand has taken off in both expected  AND unexpected ways!

In the last year, I have:

Doubled my number of speaking and emceeing gigs and added workshops to my resume. 

Traveled almost 6,000 miles across the state of Wyoming for events.

AND for the first time ever, I set financial goals for my business!

As part of this, I learned how to use bookkeeping software to invoice clients, keep track of expenses, and stick to a budget.

I’m proud as hell that I met my financial goals for the year well before I ended the second quarter, something I never dreamed could happen when I left the radio show a little over a year ago.

But, along with all this growth, there was a whole lot of rushing around, stress, feelings of imposter syndrome in a BIG way, and a not-so-small voice chanting “What the hell have I done?” along with “Is any of this really helping anyone?” on a constant loop in my brain.

I’ve made new friends, reconnected with old acquaintances in new ways, seen relationships in my life and the lives of those around me shift and change, and I’ve cried as I’ve felt once close friendships fade away.

This year, I’ve traveled the world and experienced multiple moments of joy and happiness that brought me to grateful tears.

I’ve faced fears, I’ve wept over the loss of multiple family members, and I’ve sent up prayers of strength and hope for so…so…so many loved ones who have experienced tragedy this year.

I’ve watched the Cowkids continue to grow into the adults God created them to be, and I felt my heart break at the exact same time that it swelled with more pride and happiness than I ever knew existed.

So, what will my word be for 2024?

PAUSE

Not the kind of pause that means I’m slowing down and saying “no” more often. Though I guess that may be part of it…

When I say PAUSE I mean:

The kind of pause that ensures that each day, each moment, each move I make is one that truly reflects who I want to be.

A pause that ensures I’m continuing to grow…but in the right ways.

The pause that leaves room for others.

A pause that gives me time to learn.

I love it when I can find a quote that perfectly shares my thoughts, and below are some quotes about what it means to pause that really helped me to focus on what I want to work on this year.

Take a look at them; maybe you’ll find them helpful, too.

XOXOXO Prairie Wife

“He repeated it carefully, pausing for effect.” Mitch Albom

“Practice the pause. Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you’re about to react harshly and you’ll avoid doing and saying things you’ll later regret.” Lori Deschene

“Time is a constant force, like two poles connected by an elastic string. Taking a pause in life is like stretching that string, gathering energy to propel us forward with greater force and speed.” Supratim Das

“If you don’t stop to take in the beauty around you, you will likewise miss the beauty within you.” Craig D. Lounsbrough

“Pause, don’t panic- Whatever you are facing… ask yourself. Is this really going to matter a year from now?” Shaneen Clarke,

“To pause is not the same as to stop.” Leo Lourdes

“Sometimes, we just need to put down our phones, close our eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Ideas are often in flight patterns around our brains, just waiting for clearance to land.” Sam Harrison

“And the curve in her lips paused time!” Avijeet Das

“A pause gives you
breathing space
so listen
to the whispers
of the real you
waiting to happen.”
Tara Estacaan

Looking for more great inspiration? Follow our “Words to Inspire” board on Pinterest.

Categories: Health and Wellness, Life As It Happens, This and That

Tags: , 2024, New Year, new year new word, New years resolutions, pause, slow, word for the year