My Word of the Year: HOME

The last few years have felt very hectic and frenzied. Life with teenagers is busy and my day job took a lot of energy. While it was a good year, I spent the second half of 2023 trying to recover from burnout. I wanted to return to something that felt comforting and peaceful. 

When I was thinking of my word for the year, I had a few words that kept coming back to me; rest, abide, abode, home. Ultimately, I decided that HOME is my focus for 2024. In the busyness of this modern life, I've cleaned and taken care of the daily chores but I've neglected the "feel" of our home. It will never be perfect because we live here, but it's always been important to me to create a beautiful, calm, comforting space. 

"A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our homes are meant to be a place where we can rest and recuperate from the noisy world. We raise children, build relationships, create, plant a garden, decorate, organize, rest, workout, play with our pets, make meals, display important items and photos and so much more. Our most important people, things, memories and dreams are a part of where we live. It tells our story.

Home is our dwelling, our abode. It's where we are at ease, relaxed, on familiar ground. Whether we are seeking warmth in front of a fireplace in winter, or a cool afternoon nap in the heat of summer, we all want to feel good in our home. Let's explore this idea throughout the year.