Rediscover Your Authentic Self: Choosing Your Guiding Word for 2025
At Veraluna Wellness, we believe that living authentically begins with intentional choices. One of the most empowering ways to align your life with your values is by choosing a guiding word for the year. This practice has transformed my personal and professional journey. In 2024, my word was simplicity, and for 2025, it’s emerge. Here’s how these words have shaped my life and how you can use this process to reconnect with your authentic self.
Simplicity- My intentions for going into 2024.
Reflecting on 2024: Simplicity
At the start of 2024, my life felt overwhelming. My commitments left me feeling drained, disconnected, and far from aligned with my values. Choosing simplicity allowed me to slow down and make space for clarity. Here’s how I brought this word into my daily life:
Decluttering my priorities: I let go of obligations that no longer served me and focused on what truly mattered.
Creating intentional practices: Through daily meditation, journaling, and mindfulness, I reconnected with my intuition and values.
Fostering meaningful connections: By simplifying how I showed up in relationships, I found more energy and joy in being present.
Simplicity gave me the stillness I needed to realign with myself, setting the stage for the next chapter.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Emerge
After a year of clarity, I’m ready to step into 2025 with the word emerge. For me, this word represents stepping into my full self without apology or hesitation. It’s about growth, boldness, and living fully aligned with my values and within the parameters of how my brain and body work best.
Embracing authenticity: I’m committing to showing up as I am, embracing my strengths, limitations and quirks.
Living intentionally: Practices like journaling, vision boarding, intuitive meditation and energy work will remain sacred rituals to keep me connected to my goals.
Taking action: Emergence requires boldness, and I’m ready to lean into opportunities that reflect my growth.
Emerge- My intention setting for going into 2025.
How to Choose a Guiding Word for Your Year
If you’re ready to rediscover yourself in 2025, here’s how you can choose your own guiding word:
Reflect on Your Past Year
What moments brought you joy, and what drained your energy?
How aligned were your actions with your values?
Define What Matters Most
What areas of your life do you want to nurture?
What values feel most important to you right now?
Brainstorm Words
Write down words that reflect your intentions for the year. Narrow them down by asking, Which word feels like the truest reflection of my journey? Don’t be afraid to use ChatGPT to help you with examples and guidance!
Integrate Your Word Into Daily Life
Use tools like journaling or vision boarding to keep your word visible and top of mind.
Reflect on your word during meditation or moments of quiet to reconnect with your intentions.
Therapy to Support Your Journey
Choosing a word is a powerful step, but navigating your goals and emotions can be challenging. Therapy offers a supportive space to explore your values, align with your goals, and create a life that feels authentic and balanced. At Veraluna Wellness, our sessions and intensives are designed to help you thrive in every chapter of your journey.
Final Thoughts
Remember when you choose a guiding word for 2025, it is about more than simply setting a goal; it’s about reconnecting with yourself and living intentionally.
Whether your word is emerge, simplicity, or something uniquely yours, let it guide you toward a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
I am prepared to Emerge into the space I have prepared for myself.
Hi, I’m Dawn Leprich-Graves, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS, a licensed individual and couples therapist in IL & SC, coach, teacher, and a late-diagnosed AuDHD'er-turned neuro-affirming advocate, passionate about helping women embrace their authentic selves and live with intention.
I offer therapy sessions & intensives to support growth, balance, and connection.
Visit my websites to find out more about how I can help support you on your Journey:
Veraluna Wellness - Psychotherapy and Therapy Intensives for Individuals & Couples
Celeste Genevieve Counseling - In-person Psychotherapy and Therapy Intensives for Individuals & Couples in Aurora, Illinois
Cultivating Bricolage - Coaching, Courses, Workshops & Memberships for Entrepreneurs
The Therapist Space (Bricolage Collective) - Membership Directory for therapists offering and/or looking for office space and/or services therapists need to thrive in their practices
