New year’s resolutions have never worked for me — in fact, I don’t know if they’ve ever really worked for anyone. They always sound like a list of rules that I know I will break by the end of January. They feel like a superficial fix to me. They feel bossy and rigid — I want to be inspired not instructed. Which is why I believe choosing a word as a guiding light for the new year works better because it feels so much more EXPANSIVE. A word can be embraced as a mantra, a meditation, a reminder, a promise. A word can be interpreted in different ways. A word can’t be “broken” — it feels gentler somehow.
In the 14 years I’ve been choosing a word for the year, my life has certainly changed for the better. Some of my previous words proved to be wildly empowering — BRAVE, SEEN and OPEN were all dynamically useful words that helped me create change in my life. Other words have been less helpful: COMPASSION, for example, was a bit of a cop-out in 2011. NOURISH supported me through surgery in 2015 and the long recovery afterwards. In 2016 LOVE was the only possible word for a year that contained a life-changing family emergency.
The more I do this practice the more I understand why it’s such a valuable thing to do each year. I also know that sometimes we need a hand uncovering our just-right word, so I created Find Your Word to help you find YOUR word for 2023.
Find Your Word is a FREE workbook to help you figure out your word for the coming year. This year it comes with the Unravel Your Year workbook
>> Click here to get the goodies! <<<
Hello! If we haven’t met before I’m Susannah. I’m a writer and teacher living in London, UK, and I’ve been sharing my heart online since 2006. I’m the author of This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart and my mission is to help people access their creative joy and nurture a deeper relationship with themselves.
I’m so glad you’re here!
“There is something about you, your voice, how you write that is utterly compelling and I adore every single sentence and every single thing you create. I know how your voice sounds so when I read what you have written I simultaneously hear your voice and it is so soothing, like fine-tuned music. You simply feel like you — a real person. Not a marketing machine based on a five step template.” — Carina, Finland
“To be honest, I hate newsletters in my inbox. But I love yours! They are so open, generous, insightful, warm. Your transparency and sensitivity is, quite frankly, irresistible. I see a kindred spirit in you — in a way that I don’t have or find in people around me. I think you are a brave soul, too. Brave because you haven’t become hardened by life circumstances. That takes tremendous courage and single-mindedness. And you love deeply. All of this comes across in your Love Letters.” — Laura, USA
“Susannah, you are truly one of the most authentic people I have come across. Your Love Letters are an incredible reminder to me that we are all connected; we share common desires, loves, hurts, setbacks; we are all capable of Love. You are an inspiration and have touched my heart in ways that I wasn’t expecting. Few of my teachers/colleagues/friends have been able to touch my heart space as you have. I am grateful for your presence. Thank you.” — Lisa, Canada
“You write beautifully and tenderly (with such beautiful images too). There’s a lot of ‘inspirational’ stuff lands in my inbox. Your Love Letters always raise a smile. I always want to take the time to read them. Properly read them.” — Iona, USA