What a wonderfully honest post. I love the idea of having a word for the year but I struggle to maintain a focus for one day. Especially if the news appears on my radar. Being outside definitely helps, and movement.
Hope joy pays you plenty of visits soon; she’s still there, waiting until you’re ready 🙃
Yes, I think, we have to find our own ways to deal with what's happening in the world. But some things can be a great help for many of us, like you said, being outside and movement are definitely wise choices. 🌿
Such a lovely post and I feel it's always possible to find joy in being outside in nature. We all have a tendency to believe we have to behave in certain ways, but I feel we get lost when we abandon ourselves trying to be what we think others want us to be. I've just read in a note 'stop performing care as control and practice care as connection'...that landed with me! Take care of you ❤️ Karen
Thank you so much, Karen! 🩷 Yes, I feel that too now, there's always something to find joy in when being in nature. It's so ridiculously easy, when I think about it now, why have so many of us opted for disconnection from nature? 🌿 Well, I'm happy to have found my way back. 😊 Interesting thought about "care as connection not as control". I like it! Take care of yourself too! ❤️
I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles. Life always gets in the way... I call it the Wildmess. But I'm also happy to read that you re-invented Joy your way in nature. And know that I love your writing, whether it's about joy, about nature, about books or about your inner world. Sending you much love 💕
"Go on, feel joy" - this reminds me of that inner voice in the evening saying "You have to fall asleep right now, otherwise you will be useless tomorrow, get sick and die sooner!!!" or a certain family member literally screaming at little Hannah "Relax now! STOP BEING SO TENSE!!!". For some mysterious reason, things don't work like this... I am so glad you found joy again in nature! It's really a bit of a miracle how much we can find there.
The state of the world *is* scary; there's nothing wrong with us if we feel that... it really just means that our sense of judgement still works. Of course, I don't mean to say that we should accept being constantly stressed/panicked, but for me it actually helps to acknowledge that some level of stress & anxiousness is an adequate response - then my anxious inner voice doesn't feel like it needs to become louder & louder to be heard.
What a horrible thing to say, let alone scream at a child! I'm lost for words, honestly.
Yeah, I also know this "You have to fall asleep right now, otherwise ..." from my time at that horrible workplace. I would have needed every bit of energy I could get and not sleeping would be the opposite and put extra stress on me. So, yes, I know that one well ...
However, all these demands have never worked nor will they ever work in the future, right? I wonder why we keep telling them to ourselves? We probably need to replace them bit by bit by gentler messages over and over again to re-learn to be kinder to ourselves.
Thank you for acknowledging that some level of stress & anxiousness *is* an adequate response to the state of the world!! This may actually help to calm down a bit. Thank you!
This was when I was *forced* to do yoga to relax, and then was screamed at *during the yoga session* for not relaxing! In hindsight it's almost funny because everything about it is so obviously wrong - but yeah, certainly this is no way to treat anyone...
Yes, learning slowly seems to be the only way to go. Given that we have been conditioned differently all our lives, I guess we cannot just easily switch to being kinder with ourselves. It's so absurd because the "answer" often seems to be so simple: to first just let things be - to accept that we are stressed, cannot sleep, or don't feel happy or relaxed; then the feelings often pass (at least for me; probably this cannot be generalised), or at least they don't seem as monumental anymore. Somehow nature really helps with that, maybe because we see creatures just living their lives... 💚
Wow, during a yoga session, of all places? If it wasn't so horrible, it would be ridiculous! Weird! Have you tried yoga again later or has this incident ruined it for you?
Funnily enough, I had a similar (not *that* horrible like yours, but weird enough) experience five years ago when I tried a yoga class and a tai chi class to find a new approach to relax. Spoiler: Neither has worked. 😂 The tai chi teacher would go around and correct our postures. When she came to me, she kept saying: "You're too tense! How can you be so tense? That's not going to work. Relax now! Otherwise I can't work with you." To which I replied: "I know I am, that's why I'm here for - to learn to relax!" Well, to cut a long story short, the pandemic hit, classes stopped and I got a refund! 😆
I know that acceptance is key, but I keep struggling with it. Feelings and thoughts don't seem to pass when I'm alone in my head too long *trying* to accept. It usually gets worse. Funnily enough, I have to connect to the world, the "real" world or other people (just seeing people passing on the streets will do) to put things into perspective. Nature has become a great possibility, listening to the birds or watching bees, I think you are right, seeing creatures just living their lives ... and we are one of them, no need for so many thoughts, so much stress. It's really relaxing! 💚
Wonderful post and I’m glad you found your way back to joy through nature. I know what you mean about not breathing properly - I feel like my breathing is so shallow at the moment. It sits in my chest and doesn’t really get into my lungs. I think giving up on news is the best thing; we can’t control it, it’s usually horrible so focusing on being in nature sounds like a great antidote!
Thank you, Victoria! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Yes, this shallow breathing is discomforting, and I often had the feeling that my diaphragm was so tense that I had to breathe against resistance. Pretty scary! I hope that you too will find something that helps you to relax yourself and your breathing!
You are right, the news is usually horrible and what happens is out of our control. Even if I sometimes feel guilty now that I don't know about every little development or who said what when, it's much better for my peace of mind. Who benefits if I think I have to be well informed all the time, that's just part of being an adult? Nobody. And I have agreed with my husband that he will tell me the really important things. It's working fine for me at the moment. :)
My words were WONDER and PLAY and I don't feel like they really fit most of time because of work, but there are a couple of things I tell myself ~ the year isn't over yet, not even close. It's just an intention, something for me to notice and to try to evoke into my daily life. I mean, it's not like I'm doing taxes or something 😂
But I truly believe in seasons, and so there might be a great season or period of WONDER or PLAY or a smattering of them throughout the year. In other words, I'm not going to stress over it. And if you want to change your word or add another, why not? You make the rules. In fact, I've been thinking of adding NOURISH because I've been leaning hard into that.
Cutting off the news is an excellent idea 🙌🙌🙌I go through phases, and I'm definitely in the "can't be bothered, it's all the same" season and it feels great. Just remember it's like social media: it's addicting, meant to stimulate strong (negative) emotions, and isn't based firmly in your reality. xo
Wonderful words for 2025, they speak of lightness and fun! I wouldn't have dared to pick something like these. 😂 So I settled for JOY instead which feels positive and lovely, but more subdued, more inward, smaller, somewhat sensible, if this makes sense. Yeah, I have some way to go to get rid of pressure and (my own) expectations. 😂
NOURISH sounds like a great addition. I hope it works out for you!
Yes, sure, we make our own rules - or there is no rule at all. No need to be hard on oneself. It's just an intention and we can change it any time if it doesn't serve us any more. I'm not sure I'm picking another word. It has become like new year resolutions and I don't make them any more for a reason. 😄
Claudia, this spoke to me deeply. JOY didn’t leave you; you were doing what you needed to survive. And in her own time, she found her way back to you, through the rustle of leaves, the scent of rain, and the quiet act of noticing. Thank you for sharing this tender, honest detour. I’m so glad you’re finding moments of breath, calm, and reconnection alongside her 💚
My word of the year is Vibrant and it's working. Sometimes in the moment it doesn't feel that way, but I can look at what I've done, noticed, experienced and see it. It's in the ways I'm moving and working my body, what I'm eating, trying new things, being more spontaneous, deepening old friendships and starting new ones, expanding my view of what it means for me to be creative ...
I also choose a word of the season. Beginning of the year was Fresh. I'm in the midst of Emerge. These don't take the place of my word of the year, but go hand in hand with it, or color it for a while.
And yes, 100% to the power of noticing nature to bring joy and delight.
Thank you for sharing your words of the year and the seasons, Sara! So interesting how they complement each other and strengthen different aspects of your word of the year. Great concept! So glad it’s working out for you that well and inspires your life on so many different levels! 💖
I’m not sure what I’m going to do next. Choosing a different word, following JOY to unexpected places or finding a different way of self-care, intention and mindfulness? Well, I’ll find out. :)
I'd be curious to see what happens if you release your effort around joy and just let it be — and see where you are at the end of the year. Not that whatever is hard and not joyful will be erased, but where you might see where joy shone through anyway, even in tiny bits that add up.
This is an excellent idea, especially because the "letting go" is still a lesson I'm learning. I have been more the "doing", "effort", "pressure", "tension" type all my life. Letting go still feels a bit like an alien concept, but when I am able to let go and let be and release my effort from time to time, it's just a wonderful feeling! I'd love more of that! Thank you, Sara, great advice!
I've been there as a doing, pushing, making it happen person. A few years ago "delight" was the word that bubbled to the top, and I didn't know how to "do" it, but I found it was a lot like joy for you — getting in nature and noticing — putting myself in the way of delight (new experiences, sensory rich experiences, time to not rush — kind of the opposite of pushing to do) made a big difference.
Thanks for sharing, Sara! I love it! Great experience!
Not having preconcieved ideas on how “joy” will or should look like and where it is to be found, but being open and curious how and where it will appear seems crucial to me. So many aspects may come forward and “joy” or “delight” or whatever word we choose may be found in unexpected places and moments. Wonderful!
What you described in your comments is inspiring! Using your word(s) playfully and creatively, that’s awesome!
The one little word has an interesting way to work its magic. Even when it’s not fully visible and feels as if it has deserted us, it is around. Your post shows it beautifully. Your writing is deep and honest. Thank you for trusting the readers.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment, Terje! I’m glad you feel this way. :)
Yes, I agree about the little word having an interesting way to work its magic. :) Experiencing it like this may also help for the future when there’s a moment of doubt again. Joy is there, you just have to notice it. 💖
Not reading the news is definitely a good decision! I've been enjoying following your journey to reconnect with nature, because it's so relatable (as you know I've been on that same journey) and it's just all so real! Joy is/will be right there, waiting outside, for all of us. But I do agree, it's a tough time out there, it's not always as easy to find joy. And you know what, that's ok too, makes us human.
Yeah, tough times and very human to feel worried, anxious or stressed, but even more important I think to find ways to feel joy and to have a safe space at home or in nature or with our loved ones where we can relax a little and feel okay. 🌿
What a wonderfully honest post. I love the idea of having a word for the year but I struggle to maintain a focus for one day. Especially if the news appears on my radar. Being outside definitely helps, and movement.
Hope joy pays you plenty of visits soon; she’s still there, waiting until you’re ready 🙃
Thank you, Jen, so kind of you to say! ☺️
Yes, I think, we have to find our own ways to deal with what's happening in the world. But some things can be a great help for many of us, like you said, being outside and movement are definitely wise choices. 🌿
Such a lovely post and I feel it's always possible to find joy in being outside in nature. We all have a tendency to believe we have to behave in certain ways, but I feel we get lost when we abandon ourselves trying to be what we think others want us to be. I've just read in a note 'stop performing care as control and practice care as connection'...that landed with me! Take care of you ❤️ Karen
Thank you so much, Karen! 🩷 Yes, I feel that too now, there's always something to find joy in when being in nature. It's so ridiculously easy, when I think about it now, why have so many of us opted for disconnection from nature? 🌿 Well, I'm happy to have found my way back. 😊 Interesting thought about "care as connection not as control". I like it! Take care of yourself too! ❤️
I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles. Life always gets in the way... I call it the Wildmess. But I'm also happy to read that you re-invented Joy your way in nature. And know that I love your writing, whether it's about joy, about nature, about books or about your inner world. Sending you much love 💕
Aww, thank you so much, Hilda, that means a lot!! 💗🥰
"Go on, feel joy" - this reminds me of that inner voice in the evening saying "You have to fall asleep right now, otherwise you will be useless tomorrow, get sick and die sooner!!!" or a certain family member literally screaming at little Hannah "Relax now! STOP BEING SO TENSE!!!". For some mysterious reason, things don't work like this... I am so glad you found joy again in nature! It's really a bit of a miracle how much we can find there.
The state of the world *is* scary; there's nothing wrong with us if we feel that... it really just means that our sense of judgement still works. Of course, I don't mean to say that we should accept being constantly stressed/panicked, but for me it actually helps to acknowledge that some level of stress & anxiousness is an adequate response - then my anxious inner voice doesn't feel like it needs to become louder & louder to be heard.
What a horrible thing to say, let alone scream at a child! I'm lost for words, honestly.
Yeah, I also know this "You have to fall asleep right now, otherwise ..." from my time at that horrible workplace. I would have needed every bit of energy I could get and not sleeping would be the opposite and put extra stress on me. So, yes, I know that one well ...
However, all these demands have never worked nor will they ever work in the future, right? I wonder why we keep telling them to ourselves? We probably need to replace them bit by bit by gentler messages over and over again to re-learn to be kinder to ourselves.
Thank you for acknowledging that some level of stress & anxiousness *is* an adequate response to the state of the world!! This may actually help to calm down a bit. Thank you!
This was when I was *forced* to do yoga to relax, and then was screamed at *during the yoga session* for not relaxing! In hindsight it's almost funny because everything about it is so obviously wrong - but yeah, certainly this is no way to treat anyone...
Yes, learning slowly seems to be the only way to go. Given that we have been conditioned differently all our lives, I guess we cannot just easily switch to being kinder with ourselves. It's so absurd because the "answer" often seems to be so simple: to first just let things be - to accept that we are stressed, cannot sleep, or don't feel happy or relaxed; then the feelings often pass (at least for me; probably this cannot be generalised), or at least they don't seem as monumental anymore. Somehow nature really helps with that, maybe because we see creatures just living their lives... 💚
Wow, during a yoga session, of all places? If it wasn't so horrible, it would be ridiculous! Weird! Have you tried yoga again later or has this incident ruined it for you?
Funnily enough, I had a similar (not *that* horrible like yours, but weird enough) experience five years ago when I tried a yoga class and a tai chi class to find a new approach to relax. Spoiler: Neither has worked. 😂 The tai chi teacher would go around and correct our postures. When she came to me, she kept saying: "You're too tense! How can you be so tense? That's not going to work. Relax now! Otherwise I can't work with you." To which I replied: "I know I am, that's why I'm here for - to learn to relax!" Well, to cut a long story short, the pandemic hit, classes stopped and I got a refund! 😆
I know that acceptance is key, but I keep struggling with it. Feelings and thoughts don't seem to pass when I'm alone in my head too long *trying* to accept. It usually gets worse. Funnily enough, I have to connect to the world, the "real" world or other people (just seeing people passing on the streets will do) to put things into perspective. Nature has become a great possibility, listening to the birds or watching bees, I think you are right, seeing creatures just living their lives ... and we are one of them, no need for so many thoughts, so much stress. It's really relaxing! 💚
Wonderful post and I’m glad you found your way back to joy through nature. I know what you mean about not breathing properly - I feel like my breathing is so shallow at the moment. It sits in my chest and doesn’t really get into my lungs. I think giving up on news is the best thing; we can’t control it, it’s usually horrible so focusing on being in nature sounds like a great antidote!
Thank you, Victoria! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Yes, this shallow breathing is discomforting, and I often had the feeling that my diaphragm was so tense that I had to breathe against resistance. Pretty scary! I hope that you too will find something that helps you to relax yourself and your breathing!
You are right, the news is usually horrible and what happens is out of our control. Even if I sometimes feel guilty now that I don't know about every little development or who said what when, it's much better for my peace of mind. Who benefits if I think I have to be well informed all the time, that's just part of being an adult? Nobody. And I have agreed with my husband that he will tell me the really important things. It's working fine for me at the moment. :)
My words were WONDER and PLAY and I don't feel like they really fit most of time because of work, but there are a couple of things I tell myself ~ the year isn't over yet, not even close. It's just an intention, something for me to notice and to try to evoke into my daily life. I mean, it's not like I'm doing taxes or something 😂
But I truly believe in seasons, and so there might be a great season or period of WONDER or PLAY or a smattering of them throughout the year. In other words, I'm not going to stress over it. And if you want to change your word or add another, why not? You make the rules. In fact, I've been thinking of adding NOURISH because I've been leaning hard into that.
Cutting off the news is an excellent idea 🙌🙌🙌I go through phases, and I'm definitely in the "can't be bothered, it's all the same" season and it feels great. Just remember it's like social media: it's addicting, meant to stimulate strong (negative) emotions, and isn't based firmly in your reality. xo
Wonderful words for 2025, they speak of lightness and fun! I wouldn't have dared to pick something like these. 😂 So I settled for JOY instead which feels positive and lovely, but more subdued, more inward, smaller, somewhat sensible, if this makes sense. Yeah, I have some way to go to get rid of pressure and (my own) expectations. 😂
NOURISH sounds like a great addition. I hope it works out for you!
Yes, sure, we make our own rules - or there is no rule at all. No need to be hard on oneself. It's just an intention and we can change it any time if it doesn't serve us any more. I'm not sure I'm picking another word. It has become like new year resolutions and I don't make them any more for a reason. 😄
Claudia, this spoke to me deeply. JOY didn’t leave you; you were doing what you needed to survive. And in her own time, she found her way back to you, through the rustle of leaves, the scent of rain, and the quiet act of noticing. Thank you for sharing this tender, honest detour. I’m so glad you’re finding moments of breath, calm, and reconnection alongside her 💚
Thank you, Dana, that is so kind of you! 🩷
Nature is such a healer and I am so glad you found some respite. You are not alone in your anxieties Claudia. Tread gently 🌱
Thank you, Clare, that’s so kind of you to say! 💚
My word of the year is Vibrant and it's working. Sometimes in the moment it doesn't feel that way, but I can look at what I've done, noticed, experienced and see it. It's in the ways I'm moving and working my body, what I'm eating, trying new things, being more spontaneous, deepening old friendships and starting new ones, expanding my view of what it means for me to be creative ...
I also choose a word of the season. Beginning of the year was Fresh. I'm in the midst of Emerge. These don't take the place of my word of the year, but go hand in hand with it, or color it for a while.
And yes, 100% to the power of noticing nature to bring joy and delight.
Thank you for sharing your words of the year and the seasons, Sara! So interesting how they complement each other and strengthen different aspects of your word of the year. Great concept! So glad it’s working out for you that well and inspires your life on so many different levels! 💖
I’m not sure what I’m going to do next. Choosing a different word, following JOY to unexpected places or finding a different way of self-care, intention and mindfulness? Well, I’ll find out. :)
I'd be curious to see what happens if you release your effort around joy and just let it be — and see where you are at the end of the year. Not that whatever is hard and not joyful will be erased, but where you might see where joy shone through anyway, even in tiny bits that add up.
This is an excellent idea, especially because the "letting go" is still a lesson I'm learning. I have been more the "doing", "effort", "pressure", "tension" type all my life. Letting go still feels a bit like an alien concept, but when I am able to let go and let be and release my effort from time to time, it's just a wonderful feeling! I'd love more of that! Thank you, Sara, great advice!
I've been there as a doing, pushing, making it happen person. A few years ago "delight" was the word that bubbled to the top, and I didn't know how to "do" it, but I found it was a lot like joy for you — getting in nature and noticing — putting myself in the way of delight (new experiences, sensory rich experiences, time to not rush — kind of the opposite of pushing to do) made a big difference.
Thanks for sharing, Sara! I love it! Great experience!
Not having preconcieved ideas on how “joy” will or should look like and where it is to be found, but being open and curious how and where it will appear seems crucial to me. So many aspects may come forward and “joy” or “delight” or whatever word we choose may be found in unexpected places and moments. Wonderful!
What you described in your comments is inspiring! Using your word(s) playfully and creatively, that’s awesome!
The one little word has an interesting way to work its magic. Even when it’s not fully visible and feels as if it has deserted us, it is around. Your post shows it beautifully. Your writing is deep and honest. Thank you for trusting the readers.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment, Terje! I’m glad you feel this way. :)
Yes, I agree about the little word having an interesting way to work its magic. :) Experiencing it like this may also help for the future when there’s a moment of doubt again. Joy is there, you just have to notice it. 💖
Not reading the news is definitely a good decision! I've been enjoying following your journey to reconnect with nature, because it's so relatable (as you know I've been on that same journey) and it's just all so real! Joy is/will be right there, waiting outside, for all of us. But I do agree, it's a tough time out there, it's not always as easy to find joy. And you know what, that's ok too, makes us human.
Thank you, Sophie! 😊💚
Yeah, tough times and very human to feel worried, anxious or stressed, but even more important I think to find ways to feel joy and to have a safe space at home or in nature or with our loved ones where we can relax a little and feel okay. 🌿