Embrace: My Word of the Year and the Intention Behind It
Every year, instead of setting a long list of resolutions, I choose one word to guide me. A word that feels grounding, flexible, and honest. This year, my word is embrace.
Not hustle. Not transform. Not reinvent.
Just… embrace.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about consistency, creativity, and enjoying the process. These small rituals are ways I can embrace the everyday and turn it into something memorable.
Why I Chose “Embrace” as My Word of the Year
For a long time, I found myself constantly looking ahead — waiting for the next season, the next opportunity, the next version of life that felt more “together.” Somewhere along the way, I realized I was missing the very moments I was living in.
Choosing embrace is my way of gently reminding myself to:
Embrace where I am right now
Embrace the season I’m in, even if it feels quiet or uncertain
Embrace progress that doesn’t always look loud or obvious
This word isn’t about forcing positivity. It’s about presence.
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Embrace: My Word of the Year |
Embracing the Present Instead of Rushing Ahead
We’re often encouraged to always be chasing what’s next — the next goal, the next milestone, the next big moment. But growth doesn’t only happen in those highlight-reel experiences.
Sometimes growth happens in:
Slow mornings
Repetitive routines
Creative work done quietly behind the scenes
This year, I’m intentionally choosing to live in the moment I’m already in, instead of mentally skipping ahead to the future. Embracing the present doesn’t mean giving up ambition — it means appreciating the journey while you’re still on it.
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How “Embrace” Is Showing Up in My Creative Life
As a photographer and content creator, it’s easy to feel pressure to constantly produce, evolve, and compare. Embracing this season means allowing my creativity to breathe.
That looks like:
Documenting everyday moments, not just “perfect” ones
Creating because it feels meaningful, not because it feels urgent
Letting my work reflect my real life, not an idealized version of it
I want my photos to feel lived-in, warm, and honest — a reflection of embracing what’s real rather than what’s curated.
Embracing Small, Intentional Goals
Instead of overwhelming myself with massive resolutions, I’m focusing on small, meaningful intentions. One example is committing to baking something from scratch once a month and documenting it through my camera.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about consistency, creativity, and enjoying the process. These small rituals are ways I can embrace the everyday and turn it into something memorable.
What Embrace Means to Me This Year
At its core, embrace means allowing life to unfold without constantly wishing it away.
It means:
Embracing growth, even when it’s slow
Embracing rest without guilt
Embracing creativity without comparison
Embracing now — not someday
This word is a reminder that I don’t need to rush to arrive anywhere. There’s value in the in-between, and beauty in the present if I let myself see it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or caught between where you are and where you want to be, maybe this is your sign to pause and embrace the season you’re in.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stay present and let yourself fully experience now.
Here’s to a year of embracing — gently, intentionally, and wholeheartedly 
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