My Word of the Year Is Growth (And I’m Finally Ready for It)

I’ve never really been a “word of the year” person. I’ve tried before, but it always felt a little forced, like picking a label and hoping my life would cooperate.

But this year, one word kept coming back to me.

Growth.

Or more accurately: grow.

And honestly, it makes sense.

Why “Growth” Found Me This Year

On a very literal level, I’ve ordered approximately a million seeds. This year’s garden is not playing small. It’s ambitious. It’s slightly chaotic. It’s probably going to teach me a few lessons whether I ask for them or not.

But the more I sat with the word growth, the more I realized it wasn’t just about what I’m planting in the dirt.

It’s about what I’m ready to grow in my life.

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because you show up, prepare the soil, and decide that what’s coming next deserves space.

Growth Isn’t Just Adding. It’s Cutting Back.

Here’s the part of growth people don’t talk about enough:

You don’t just grow new things. You also have to cut away what’s dead.

Anyone who’s gardened knows this. You can’t keep pouring energy into plants that aren’t producing, thriving, or even alive anymore. At some point, pruning isn’t cruel. It’s necessary.

This year, growth for me looks like:

• Letting go of old patterns that no longer serve me
• Releasing relationships, habits, and beliefs that have run their course
• Making peace with the fact that not everything is meant to come with me into the next season

That doesn’t mean those things were mistakes. They were part of the process. They just don’t get to be part of the future.

Personal Growth Looks Quiet Before It Looks Impressive

One thing I’ve learned is that real growth doesn’t always look flashy at first. Sometimes it looks like:

• Saying no without explaining yourself
• Choosing rest instead of forcing productivity
• Being honest with yourself about what you want and what you don’t
• Doing the unglamorous work of showing up consistently

Growth starts underground. Long before anyone sees the results, something is shifting beneath the surface.

What I’m Committing to This Year

When I say my word of the year is growth, I’m not talking about pressure or perfection. I’m talking about intentional progress.

This year, I’m committing to:

• Growing things that nourish me, not drain me
• Creating space for what’s next by releasing what’s expired
• Trusting that slow, steady growth still counts
• Letting this season be about becoming, not proving

If something feels aligned, I’ll tend to it. If something feels dead, I’ll stop trying to resurrect it.

Let This Be Your Permission Slip Too

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re standing at the edge of a new season, consider this your reminder:

You’re allowed to grow.

You’re allowed to outgrow.

You’re allowed to prune.

You’re allowed to start over without an apology.

Growth doesn’t ask for permission. It just asks for commitment.

This year, I’m planting with intention. In my garden. In my life. And in myself.

And I’m finally ready to see what grows.