Mid-Year Check-In: Embracing Resilience, Growth, and Intentionality
- Time Captured Moments
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 19
“Behind every cloud is a silver lining.”
That's a quote that one of my university roommates shared with me long ago, and to this day, I still refer to it. Its message feels especially fitting as we pause for a mid-year check-in on your 2025 word of the year.
Each year, as the new year rings in, so do our goals, promises, and plans. Yet, according to a 2013 Forbes article, only 8% of people actually achieve them.
We start off strong, but over time we often forget, get frustrated, or become distracted as life takes over.
So, how can stroke warriors, or anyone for that matter, approach a new year—or any new season—with more grace, sustainability, and joy, so that we feel less stress, more hopeful and more willing to try again? That’s where the magic of choosing a guiding word or theme comes in.
Why Goals Often Fall Short
Traditionally, goal-setting is seen as outcome-driven, rigid, and high-pressure.
We tend to tie our success to the finish line, which can lead to burnout, guilt, or apathy when things don’t go as planned. This can be very discouraging, especially in the early stages of stroke-recovery where sensitivity is at an all-time high.
Goals tend to focus on doing—actions that are performance-based. In contrast, guiding words emphasize being and the process of becoming, rather than achieving a specific outcome.
To elaborate, a guiding word is a touchstone, a flexible guide, a filter for decision-making, or a mindset anchor. In a nutshell, guiding words help us return to what matters when life gets loud, or busy, and I'm a fan!
Goals vs. Guiding Words: What It All Means
Lets start small. Say, for example you have a goal to walk every day. Sounds all well and good at the start, but then, life gets in the way and you lose focus, get distracted, and go off course from your intended goal. This initial action can lead to discouragement and disappointment.
However, if the aim is to focus on the process of consistency, you might do thirty minutes of yoga one day, then walking the next day, and weights another day.
The point is, you're still moving. Maybe not in the way you initially planned, but you're still moving and that's a win!
Keeping your eye on 'consistency' broadens your possibilities. It allows room to go with the flow, rather than forcing yourself into a rigid schedule.
See how this works?
The idea of becoming a more consistent person becomes more appealing and possible, as opposed to a dream — it’s a value that you can embody everyday. It also allows you to celebrate the small wins by motivating you to keep on going, as opposed to trying to achieve one big lofty goal.
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I've been doing some research into some beautiful guiding words that you might consider taking on for the next season, quarter, month, or whatever suits you.
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The first word I looked up was Resilience.
So often misunderstood, resilience is not just the ability to “bounce back.” It’s the strength to move forward with tenderness, courage, and hard-won wisdom.
I researched and found some keywords related to resilience:
Adaptability
Tenacity
Endurance
Fortitude
Recovery
That’s the quiet strength resilience offers—it becomes a steady companion, especially during recovery.
For anyone navigating unexpected life shifts—like a health challenge, caregiving role, or personal reinvention—resilience isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
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The second was Growth.
We often associate growth with big wins or outward success. But real, lasting growth is subtle. It looks like:
Patience
Healing
Letting go
Learning again
Flourishing
Blossoming
Development
Expansion
Open-mindedness
By choosing growth as a guiding word, we allow ourselves to evolve gently, even when change feels slow.
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Next, was Optimism.
In difficult times, optimism may seem naive. But I believe it’s a profound practice—a decision to believe in light, goodness, and possibility even amid pain.
Optimism isn’t blind hope—it’s brave hope.
It’s about asking: "What might go right today?”
Some of the word related to optimism include:
Hopefulness
Belief
Confidence
Courage
Joy
Optimism fuels our capacity to dream, to start again, and to see silver linings behind those clouds.
Guiding words offer a softer, more sustainable approach to personal growth. They help us tune into our inner voice and stay aligned with what truly matters.
How to Choose Your Word
Need help picking your word? Try journaling on these prompts:
What do I need most right now?
What did I struggle with last year?
How do I want to feel in the coming months?
What do I want to welcome into my life?
Don’t rush it. Your word might whisper rather than shout.
Either way, remember to let your word rise naturally through reflection, prayer, journaling, or even quiet conversation.
Ways to Live/Act As If...
Once you’ve chosen a word, make it part of your daily rhythm:
📓 Journal about it weekly
🎨 Create art or photography inspired by it
🔁 Set reminders in your phone
💬 Use it as a mantra or affirmation
💍 Wear it on a bracelet, pendant, or stone
📸 Reflect through images—how do you see your word?
Your word is your companion, not your taskmaster. Take it on so that your chosen word becomes a part of who you are or how you would describe yourself.
You Don’t Need to Do More—Just Be More You
Choosing a guiding word is an invitation to becoming more of who you wan to be—not an obligation.
It asks:
How do I want to feel?
Who do I want to become?
What do I want to practice?
This practice reminds us that we are more than our productivity. We are souls in progress. These words don't expire in a single year—they evolve with us, offering comfort, direction, and reflection over time.
Whatever word you choose—resilience, growth, peace, or something uniquely your own—let it anchor you. Also, let it remind you that you are already enough just as you are.
Remember, even behind the clouds, a silver lining awaits—you don’t need to do more. Just be more you.
Now You...
Have you chosen your word of the year?
Share it in the comments or send me a message. I’d love to hear what it means to you and how it’s guiding your journey.
Let’s grow together—and here's to celebrating one small win at a time!
With resilience and gratitude,
Bree xo
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That's awesome, Milissa! Also, thank you for reading my post. Let me know how things go with the journal prompts. 💞
Love the guiding questions and the suggested ways of making the chosen word a part of daily life. Looking forward to trying some of these great ideas :)