My Word for 2024

Thoughts, , 20 Comments

One of my favorite blog posts is always my Word of the Year post. I love coming up with a word, or better yet, letting a word make its way to me. I have always believed in fresh starts and new beginnings and selecting my word helps me set the intentions for my year.

The word is a bigger guide than my resolution lists. While I might resolve what I won’t be doing this year (eating too much sugar, slacking on my workouts, or spending too much money on things I don’t need) my word tells me what I will be doing or better yet what I’m aspiring to. That speaks to me- aspiration that is.

Last year my word was Stretch and I thought of all of the positive ways in which I could extend myself and all the ways I might grow. I was excited about my word and then the bottom fell out. 

A few weeks after announcing my word for the year our community experienced an unimaginable tragedy that would ricochete and somehow shards of that metaphorical blast would land squarely at our doorstep—so much of what I’d grown accustomed to changed in the blink of an eye. And my Word of Year took on a new meaning.

I did indeed have to stretch in ways that I hadn’t imagined before. I had to think in ways that I had not considered and behave in ways that sometimes felt foreign. But when all the smoke cleared I realized that I (well we) never lost sight of who we were. And I (again we) did what we always do. We kept moving in the right direction and now I am stronger and stretchier in ways that I hadn’t quite imagined before. And strangely enough, I love the place we’re in now. Our options seem open in a way that they hadn’t been before and our lives are more flexible in a way that I’d often dreamed they’d be one day….

So when my word showed up it made perfect sense. Restore- as in reinstate, refurbish, rebuild, and mend. “The building has been lovingly restored.” 

After so much upheaval and trying to figure out our next steps, I’m ready to get back to the things that we’ve always wanted to do. I’ll be focusing more on my writing career and we may even be moving into that forever home we’ve always dreamed of (and hopefully back to the city that we love). My daughter, my son-in-law, and the grandkids are planning to move home too. So I’m looking forward to returning to what we love most and dusting off some old dreams.

And instead of lamenting what was, I’ll be keeping this quote in mind- “In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn”. It’s a little dramatic I’ll admit, but sometimes we indeed have to let go of what we’ve become accustomed to to uncover (or lovingly restore) the very best version of who we were always meant to be.

I’d love to hear your word for the year if you’ve chosen one.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Xo Tonya Parker

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Tonya Parker is a counselor, author and certified life coach who believes in helping women look and feel their best! Ambassador for O, The Oprah Magazine and author of Single Mom Chic

20 thoughts on “My Word for 2024”

  1. Well written my friend! I love your word of the year! I think I have my word and will write a blog post on this too. I believe 2024 will give you what you wish because you never quit. I wish you the best! -Lucy Brummett

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    2. I love your word of the year. You are an inspiration. I hope you do publish a book. You are a beautiful writer and beautiful person. Happy New Year! ❣️

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  3. I love this Tonya! You definitely stretched and I hope you achieve your restoration. I’m thinking it won’t be a problem for you. Happy New Year!! Stacie xo

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  4. Beautiful word after this year’s upheaval. I still can’t accept how that unfolded.

    When things like that happen, it’s hard to think that anything good will come of it, but just look! I guess it’s not for us to question. Have a wonderful and restorative 2024!

    ~Shelley

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  5. I am so inspired by your posts and your insights, Tonya! I love your word of the year and I’m happy for your restoration. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!❤️

    ~Warrenette

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  6. Beautifully written my friend. The strength and ability to always “go high” that you both have shown this year, has taught us all how to rise above adversity while continuing to move forward. Wishing you and your family an amazing 2024. I love you. Theresa

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    1. Thank you so much, Theresa! I love you too. I also admire you and the way you speak up for others (and for your convictions). You’re a remarkable woman. And thank you for always being there for me!❤️

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  7. Tonya, I admire how you are following your dreams and impacting so many women’s’ lives! Many of us dream, but few of us actually follow them. You continue to inspire me to dig deep within myself to reflect on my dreams!…A few of them I have acted on; however, many of them are still waiting to be actualized.
    Originally, my word for the year was “consistent”, but I have just now revised it to “persistent” which to me encompasses consistency but challenges me more to follow my dreams and goals with persistence! This word is motivational,
    time-bound, and will remind me that, “You got this Joanne, you can do it!”

    Thanks for being such a positive influence!! Best wishes for “rebuilding” in 2024. We must do brunch or dinner soon,…I am going to persist in making sure this happens in January!

    Joanne

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    1. Thank you so much, Joanne! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a kind, supportive, and thoughtful comment! That truly means a lot to me. I love your word. And I look forward to seeing you soon! Xo

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  8. Tonya, wonderful post for the new year. I’m so very happy for you that things seemed to have worked out so well after what you have been through. Stretch is a great word, but restore is also! Excited for you and what the new year may hold.
    Wishing you the best and so enjoy all you share!
    Kim

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  9. After reading your post, I thought about choosing the word RENEW as 2023 was a year of upheaval for me too. But, I realized that what I needed most right now was the ability to BALANCE all the different areas of my life. I don’t think balance is something we ever achieve, it’s something to keep doing everyday. So that’s my goal! Xo Nipa

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