Hello, ladies! Welcome back to Momming, Surviving, and Thriving—the space where we encourage all women to live their best lives by focusing on our four pillars: being happy, healthy, wealthy, and thriving.
I’m happy and optimistic as we kick off 2025. But I also know this year hasn’t started the way we all hoped. With the devastation of the New Orleans terrorist attacks and wildfires impacting so many communities, 2025 is already testing us. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreak, the fear, and the uncertainty. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained, you’re not alone.
Even in challenging times, I believe in our courage and our commitment to keep going. Now, I know that the word resilient can feel heavy—it’s exhausting to keep bouncing back. We all deserve peace and ease. That’s why the focus this year is on you. Control what you can control. And that’s why today’s blog post is so important. I’m sharing my word for 2025.
If you’ve followed me for the past few years, you know my new year starts the same way each time—with intention. I set my goals, organize my planners and agendas, grab my favorite pens and highlighters, and choose the books I’ll read throughout the year. But one of the most meaningful parts of my new year ritual is selecting my word of the year—a word that aligns with my intentions and supports my personal mission and vision.
This year’s word is Ascend.
But before I dive into why I chose Ascend, I want to reflect on the past few years and how my previous words shaped my journey.
Reflecting on Past Words
In 2023, my word was Elevate. That year, I focused on raising the bar in my career, health, and how I balanced my time. I made bold moves and embraced stepping into bigger spaces—even when it scared me.
In 2024, my word was Thrive. I chose it because I was ready to move beyond survival mode. I wanted joy and fulfillment to be at the heart of everything I did. And while I didn’t always feel like I nailed it perfectly, I grew in ways that surprised me.
Reflecting on those years helped me choose Ascend for 2025. This year, I’m not just looking to grow—I’m focused on rising above, even when the weight of the world feels like too much. Ascend is a reminder that we can elevate ourselves—our dreams, our peace, and our joy—even when circumstances try to pull us down.
Starting the Year on a Strong Foot
One of the ways I set myself up for a great year is by being intentional about my habits from day one. Here are a few things I do to start my year on the right note:
1. Reflect and Release: I take time to journal about the previous year—the wins, the lessons, and even the hard moments. I reflect on what I need to let go of so I can move forward lighter.
2. Vision Boarding: Whether physical or digital (I’ve done both!), I create a vision board that excites and motivates me. It helps me visualize my goals and reminds me what I’m working toward. I place my vision board in multiple places—in my office, in my closet—and I take a picture of it so I can reflect on it throughout the day.
3. Organizing My Space: I declutter my home office and set up systems that make my daily life feel more organized and intentional. It’s a huge task, but it’s necessary. Every year, I wonder how I’ve accumulated so much stuff, but clearing it out makes room for new energy and possibilities.
4. Health Reset: I do what I call a “body audit”—taking note of where I am today so I can look back at the end of the year and see how far I’ve come. It’s not just about checking my weight and measurements (though I do that). It’s about prioritizing healthy eating, tracking my water intake, and staying consistent with my vitamins and supplements.
5. Word of the Year: Finally, I choose a word to guide my focus and decisions throughout the year.
These habits help me feel grounded and ready to take on the new year. And speaking of my word for the year, let’s dive deeper into why Ascend feels right for this season of life.
Relating to Our Journey
Choosing a word of the year is more than just a trend—it’s about setting a foundation for everything we do. As Black women, many of us are navigating careers, entrepreneurship, family responsibilities, and dreams that sometimes feel too big to carry all at once. We’re often the backbone of everything and everyone around us. But 2025? It’s about our elevation.
For me, Ascend represents expansion. Not just in business or finances, but in mindset, in peace, and in how I show up for myself. I want to live a life that feels like ease and excellence—a life where I’m not just surviving but thriving in every sense.
A Lesson from the Climb
Let me tell you a quick story. When I first started my coaching business while juggling being a mom, a leader, and so much more, there were days when I doubted whether I could do it all. One particular week, everything felt like it was falling apart. The kids had endless activities, a major deadline was looming, and I felt completely overwhelmed.
Then, the news was full of hard headlines—it felt like the world was unraveling. But I reminded myself that growth doesn’t happen without some struggle. As my uncle always says, “There is no testimony without a test.” I leaned into my word at the time—Elevate—and took one step at a time. I made a list, reached out to my support circle, and took time to breathe. By the end of the week, I’d met my goals and learned that setbacks are often setups for something bigger.
That’s why Ascend is so special to me for 2025—it’s a reminder that when we trust the process and take intentional steps, we’ll reach higher ground.
Quote for Inspiration
“She remembered who she was and the game changed.”
This quote resonates deeply because Ascend is about remembering that you’re built for greatness and rising in your power, no matter what tries to hold you down.
More Examples of Living Out Your Word
In Career: If your goal is to ascend professionally, look for opportunities that challenge you. Take on leadership roles, even if they feel intimidating. Apply for that promotion or submit that bold proposal.
In Wellness: Maybe ascending means prioritizing your health. Commit to workouts that you enjoy, schedule that therapy session, or invest in your self-care without guilt.
In Relationships: Ascending can also mean improving how you communicate or stepping back from relationships that drain your energy. Choose connections that nurture and uplift you.
In Finances: Set goals to ascend financially by tackling debt or building a new income stream. Maybe you’ll finally launch that side hustle or increase your investment knowledge.
For me, ascending financially this year means building generational wealth by scaling my businesses and making smarter investment moves.
Action Steps to Live Out Your Word
Here’s how we can ascend together in 2025:
1. Choose Your Word with Purpose:
Think about how you want to feel, not just what you want to accomplish.
What word excites you, grounds you, or scares you just a little? That’s probably the one.
2. Create Visual Reminders:
Put your word where you can see it every day—on your mirror, planner, or phone screensaver.
3. Set Goals that Align with Your Word:
If your word is "Ascend," ask yourself: What does ascending look like in my career? In my relationships? In my self-care?
4. Find Your Circle:
Surround yourself with people who inspire and hold you accountable.
5. Give Yourself Grace:
Every journey has setbacks. Don’t let a stumble make you feel like you’re starting over.
My Personal Vision for 2025
For me, ascending means building the life I dream of—expanding my businesses, pouring into my family, growing spiritually, and prioritizing my peace. I want to live lighter, love deeper, and lead boldly.
Call to Action
MST family, let’s commit to making 2025 the year we rise. Drop a comment or DM me with your word of the year—I want to cheer you on! And if you’re still thinking about it, take your time. Reflect and choose a word that makes your heart race.
Remember: We’re not just surviving this year. We’re thriving. We’re ascending.
Stay encouraged, stay motivated, and keep climbing. Until next time, take care of yourselves and always give yourself grace.
Comments