I don’t do New Year's resolutions, but I still have goals. As a busy teacher, writer and mother, I need something more simplified; which is why I write themes for each year instead.  A few years back, I wrote a concise line in my journal on January 1st: “I have a voice.” Throughout the entire year, I held onto that statement, purposefully engaging in situations where I could express my thoughts and opinions. I sought courage to voice myself in places where I'd usually remain silent. Whether with friends, as a mother, or within my marriage, I focused on clear communication, refusing to settle for holding back my true thoughts.

Gradually, I used my voice to take brave steps, such as applying for a different position at work. I also dared to bring my thoughts into the open by writing more frequently, a dream I'd confined to scattered journals on my nightstand since childhood. Eventually, my unfiltered voice became published in my first children's book and various online articles. I shared it openly within online communities, among both friends and strangers.

The more I shared my voice, the more comfortable I became. Rather than a list of unattainable goals, I made actual progress on something that helped me grow in my relationships and self confidence.

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In the following years, I wrote themes that built on that first one. Just simple lines in my journal that built on the years before. Last year my theme was " I am a resource." All year I focused on sharing my expertise as a teacher with the world. I spoke at education conferences and created 100s of videos on social media to help other teachers grow. I then added my second children's book as a resource in my own classroom library.

Fast forward to 2024, and my theme is "I am fully present." In our digital age it is tempting to constantly multitask, especially as a working mother. My goal this year is to slow down and give my full attention to one thing at a time. I want to savor conversations with my husband in the kitchen. I hope to play more board games with my kids. I plan to write more unhurried words of my own while in my pajamas.

I decided this year that I needed a more creative way to remind myself of my yearly theme. So this winter break, I made bracelets with some of the themes that have been most meaningful in the last few years. As a teacher and an author, I know the power positive words have to shape our goals, our dreams and our homes. Beaded little words like "voice," "resource” and "present" will remind me daily of where I am going and how far I have come.