I love hearing your yearly imperatives and what has come from them! 💛 I’ve chosen a word of the year for the past few years, and it has changed my life, too! It’s been much more effective than choosing resolutions or unattainable goals. Some of my past words have been: organized, consistency, intentional, and 2024’s word was radiant. It’s fun to see how those words have guided my decisions and focus for the year.
Thanks, Kimber! I have actually always called them my "non-resolutions," but imperative seemed more accurate here. I'm glad that the word of the year has worked for you. I tend to need something more, well, imperative. But the most important part is if you follow through, which it sounds like you do! Here's to a radiant end to your year!
Wonderful, inspiring and amazing as always, Kelcey. I do something similar to you, that started in 2013 for me. This is the first year I chose a word: POSSIBILITY.
I've done quite a few things this year that I was always too shy or resistant to try. I'm a behind the scenes kind of girl. I've received so much support from the people here on Substack, including you. I thank you for that.
Here's to an amazing, adventurous, fulfilling, successful and ridiculously happy 2025.
So fun that we've been on parallel-ish journeys, Renee! I'm a behind-the-scenes person too, so that's why some of my phrases are just about being bolder. I'm so grateful for you and our fellow Substackers too. Onward!
I love that you were coloring the words to connect with them more, Connie! Even though I'm making an "imperative" claim to choose an imperative, I totally think you should do what feels right to you! As I said, I don't like to be told what to do! 😂
i just finished "the way of integrity" by martha beck (super recommended!) and so my initial thoughts for new year's daily imperatives from me to me will include "tell the truth" and "walk outside."
i've always done my best to do those things, but codifying them in this way seems even more meaningful.
My friend Erin Judge recommended it to me and she is one the wisest, kindest people I know. (I also recommend all of Erin's work that is out there, including standup comedy albums and a novel and more!)
And after she recommended it to me, I didn't read it until two years later when she was like "hey did you read The Way of Integrity yet" and I hadn't and she RE-recommended it, so my even though you've already said you're going to check the book out, I am now RE-recommending it with the power of FOUR recommendations (two from me, two from Erin).
In between your first and second recommendations, I HAVE ALREADY ORDERED THE BOOK! To honor the compounding recommendations, I will now also check out Erin's work.
Thx for the imperatives, Kelsey! My yearly admonition to myself is: Accept yourself more fully as you are. That excuse for stasis has carried me through dozens of resolutions seasons.
I like the idea of an annual imperative. I'm going to give it some thought over the next couple of days, but might just steal one of yours. The Flaubert quotation is calling to me, I'm feeling the need for more order.
Thank you! I enjoyed reading that post too. This might be the nudge I need. I did attempt the Marie Kondo tidy up a few years ago, but got stuck in the book category (I'm a librarian, and have developed my weeding skills since then, so maybe it's time to try again.)
I’ve chosen a word for the year for over 30 years. They range from pretty cliche—think Love and Health—to pretty abstract. One year was Pilgrimage which I never remembered once I arted it my Book of Yearly Words. The words always impact my life in some memorable way. One year I did choose an imperative D. I. N. Do It Now very helpful!
2024 was Mend—the first year since my husband of 30 years died. It was comforting. 2025 is Untangle—one of those abstract words.
Omg, Pamela, I have OFTEN considered "Do It Now" as one of my options for the year! I'm a terrible procrastinator and have felt my life would be soooo much easier if I just did small tasks right away.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. I love how "Mend" and "Untangle" are both technically imperatives but so gentle and open to your needs. ❤️
I still looking back at the declaration for this year and the year before, basically imperatives, and definitely helpful. But your shortened, focused practice of saying everyday, I bet often multiple times, is a good addition which I'll incorporate now. Have long used affirmations, and will always continue that. But for 2025: a specific one I'll make just for me. Excellent! Thanks.
Thanks, Jay! I’ve realized that as an indecisive person, the imperative helps with the “paradox of choice.” Instead of wondering whether I should take a certain action or mindset, I just do it.
I don't do resolutions, but I some years I like a word, and one has been surfacing for me — vibrant. Maybe I'll pair that with imperatives: Play. Explore. Thinking about it.
I hear you. I started this in response to resolutions, which always feel like a prelude to failure. "Vibrant" is a high energy word that may not need an imperative! But "Be Vibrant" could be a consideration. Or yes: Play/Explore/Create Vibrantly.
I think I want vibrant coloring all the aspects of my life. And I know play and explore will help me create vibrantly (and get out of other ruts and boxes that I create for myself).
Kelcey, I love this! For the last 6 months or so, I've been thinking of the phrase "spend it all" from The Writing Life, but that's not quite the energy I want for 2025. I'll have to think about my new imperative!
Thanks, Nancy! “Spend it all” is so rich, but I appreciate your intuitive sense of channeling a different energy next year. Would love to know what you choose!
I am employed at one of California’s 52 officially designated county Arts Councils. I plan on making our aspiring and professional creatives aware of your work in the coming year. Thank you for all the joy you bring to the world. Not just the arts world!
Yep. Imperatives are imperative. And I give myself the grace of allowing them to morph…but only into something bigger or more meaningful.
So smart, Becky! There were a few times that I chose a phrase only to change it mid-way through January when it didn’t feel right!
I love hearing your yearly imperatives and what has come from them! 💛 I’ve chosen a word of the year for the past few years, and it has changed my life, too! It’s been much more effective than choosing resolutions or unattainable goals. Some of my past words have been: organized, consistency, intentional, and 2024’s word was radiant. It’s fun to see how those words have guided my decisions and focus for the year.
Thanks, Kimber! I have actually always called them my "non-resolutions," but imperative seemed more accurate here. I'm glad that the word of the year has worked for you. I tend to need something more, well, imperative. But the most important part is if you follow through, which it sounds like you do! Here's to a radiant end to your year!
I love radiant! Vibrant keeps rising to the top for me for a word for 2025
Ooh, I love that! ☀️
Wonderful, inspiring and amazing as always, Kelcey. I do something similar to you, that started in 2013 for me. This is the first year I chose a word: POSSIBILITY.
I've done quite a few things this year that I was always too shy or resistant to try. I'm a behind the scenes kind of girl. I've received so much support from the people here on Substack, including you. I thank you for that.
Here's to an amazing, adventurous, fulfilling, successful and ridiculously happy 2025.
So fun that we've been on parallel-ish journeys, Renee! I'm a behind-the-scenes person too, so that's why some of my phrases are just about being bolder. I'm so grateful for you and our fellow Substackers too. Onward!
Make "50 pounds of art" - my imperative for 2025.
Thinking metaphorically about how to "measure" 50 pounds of poems, collages, memoir...
Yes! Cheering you on!
(In my post linked here, I write about how my 50 metaphorical pounds turned into 50 literal pounds!)
Your post is where I got the idea of "measuring" the experimentations and learning of a full year.
Oh ha! and duh! 🤦♀️
This is a total cliffhanger—you haven't revealed your 2025 imperative. Or did I miss it? Is it "Have a great day?" :)
Hahaha, you'll have to tune in for the next installment! (Still working on it! 😂)
I love a cliffhanger!
❤️🙏😁
I was just coloring the two words I selected for 2025… however I like what you wrote.
Going to have to give it some more thought. 😁
I love that you were coloring the words to connect with them more, Connie! Even though I'm making an "imperative" claim to choose an imperative, I totally think you should do what feels right to you! As I said, I don't like to be told what to do! 😂
dear kelcey,
thank you for this imperative idea!
i love it.
i just finished "the way of integrity" by martha beck (super recommended!) and so my initial thoughts for new year's daily imperatives from me to me will include "tell the truth" and "walk outside."
i've always done my best to do those things, but codifying them in this way seems even more meaningful.
thank you for sharing, as always!
love
myq
Ooh, I'm going to check out that book asap! "Tell the truth" and "walk outside" are two very excellent imperatives. Thank you so much, Myq!
Of course!
I think you'll love the book.
My friend Erin Judge recommended it to me and she is one the wisest, kindest people I know. (I also recommend all of Erin's work that is out there, including standup comedy albums and a novel and more!)
And after she recommended it to me, I didn't read it until two years later when she was like "hey did you read The Way of Integrity yet" and I hadn't and she RE-recommended it, so my even though you've already said you're going to check the book out, I am now RE-recommending it with the power of FOUR recommendations (two from me, two from Erin).
And now, to go walk outside!
Love
Myq
In between your first and second recommendations, I HAVE ALREADY ORDERED THE BOOK! To honor the compounding recommendations, I will now also check out Erin's work.
🤯 (I wish there was a corresponding emoji for the heart. Not just mind blown, HEART blown!)
A major oversight in the emoji department! ❤️😁
Mine for this year will be “TAKE THE LEAP!”
Oh heck yeah!
Thank you for this! I am going to use « Order » as my much needed guide word for 2025.
HIGHLY recommended! If you're interested, here's something I wrote when I was in the midst of "tidying up" and getting rid of half of my belongings so I could sell my old house and move to a new apartment: https://phdincreativewriting.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/the-life-edit-a-writers-metaphor-for-minimizing-decluttering-and-tidying-up/
Thx for the imperatives, Kelsey! My yearly admonition to myself is: Accept yourself more fully as you are. That excuse for stasis has carried me through dozens of resolutions seasons.
Haha and well played, Peter! 😁
I like the idea of an annual imperative. I'm going to give it some thought over the next couple of days, but might just steal one of yours. The Flaubert quotation is calling to me, I'm feeling the need for more order.
Thanks, Rebecca! The "Order" year was so transformative for me! I linked this to another comment, but if you're interested, here's a blog post I wrote about "tidying up" Marie-Kondo style: https://phdincreativewriting.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/the-life-edit-a-writers-metaphor-for-minimizing-decluttering-and-tidying-up/
Thank you! I enjoyed reading that post too. This might be the nudge I need. I did attempt the Marie Kondo tidy up a few years ago, but got stuck in the book category (I'm a librarian, and have developed my weeding skills since then, so maybe it's time to try again.)
I’ve chosen a word for the year for over 30 years. They range from pretty cliche—think Love and Health—to pretty abstract. One year was Pilgrimage which I never remembered once I arted it my Book of Yearly Words. The words always impact my life in some memorable way. One year I did choose an imperative D. I. N. Do It Now very helpful!
2024 was Mend—the first year since my husband of 30 years died. It was comforting. 2025 is Untangle—one of those abstract words.
Thanks for sharing!
Omg, Pamela, I have OFTEN considered "Do It Now" as one of my options for the year! I'm a terrible procrastinator and have felt my life would be soooo much easier if I just did small tasks right away.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. I love how "Mend" and "Untangle" are both technically imperatives but so gentle and open to your needs. ❤️
I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Pamela. I hope there was some mending for you.
I still looking back at the declaration for this year and the year before, basically imperatives, and definitely helpful. But your shortened, focused practice of saying everyday, I bet often multiple times, is a good addition which I'll incorporate now. Have long used affirmations, and will always continue that. But for 2025: a specific one I'll make just for me. Excellent! Thanks.
Thanks, Jay! I’ve realized that as an indecisive person, the imperative helps with the “paradox of choice.” Instead of wondering whether I should take a certain action or mindset, I just do it.
I don't do resolutions, but I some years I like a word, and one has been surfacing for me — vibrant. Maybe I'll pair that with imperatives: Play. Explore. Thinking about it.
I hear you. I started this in response to resolutions, which always feel like a prelude to failure. "Vibrant" is a high energy word that may not need an imperative! But "Be Vibrant" could be a consideration. Or yes: Play/Explore/Create Vibrantly.
I think I want vibrant coloring all the aspects of my life. And I know play and explore will help me create vibrantly (and get out of other ruts and boxes that I create for myself).
Love it, Sara!
Kelcey, I love this! For the last 6 months or so, I've been thinking of the phrase "spend it all" from The Writing Life, but that's not quite the energy I want for 2025. I'll have to think about my new imperative!
Thanks, Nancy! “Spend it all” is so rich, but I appreciate your intuitive sense of channeling a different energy next year. Would love to know what you choose!
I am employed at one of California’s 52 officially designated county Arts Councils. I plan on making our aspiring and professional creatives aware of your work in the coming year. Thank you for all the joy you bring to the world. Not just the arts world!
I really appreciate this, Mary Anne! Thank you so much! 🥰