My guiding phrase for 2025
‘Soft power, strong presence’
I am currently hiding inside from a scorching 36c day, and figured it was the perfect time to really get clear on a lot of the swirling goals and ideas I have in my head at the moment. I don’t know whether it’s the ‘New Year’s’ energy, the fact that January is my birthday month, or the void that happens in this week between Christmas and New Year, but I always feel super reflective at this time of the year.
Every year, I choose a word or phrase to guide me—something that captures where I am and where I want to go. In 2024, my word was Radiate, and it was as a reminder to show up, get visible, and share my energy and message with the world.
This year I have chosen a phrase instead. "Soft power. Strong presence." To me it reflects courage, connection, and balance—qualities I want to nurture in 2025.
Before I go too deep into what this phrase means to me, I want to share why I think choosing a word or phrase as a focus point for the year is so valuable.
Why choose a ‘Word of the year’?
I came across the idea of doing a ‘word of the year’ more than 10 years ago as part of a journalling/scrap booking community. What was a creative outlet for me, became a formative practice. Now it isn’t just a creative idea—it’s a tool for growth and clarity. Here’s why:
It anchors you to your intentions
Life gets busy, and it’s easy to lose sight of your bigger goals. A guiding word acts like a compass, keeping you aligned with what truly matters. If you know me and my work you are aware that I always refer to your core values as a compass. The difference here is that unlike your values which are more long-term, the single ‘word’ is something that you can evolve each year.It shapes your decisions
Your word becomes a filter for how you approach challenges and opportunities. It helps you ask, “Does this align with who I want to be and where I want to go?”It cultivates self-awareness
Choosing a word encourages reflection—not just on what you want, but why you want it. It helps you clarify your values and priorities.It inspires baby-step action
When your word is visible in your life (as a screensaver, on a vision board, or even as I do - a charm on my necklace), it serves as a gentle reminder to take small, meaningful steps toward your vision.It creates focus without pressure
Unlike rigid resolutions, a word of the year is flexible. It’s not about perfection; it’s about staying connected to your intentions and allowing them to evolve.
This practice has helped me stay grounded and intentional, even when life feels chaotic.
‘Radiate’ in 2024
In 2024, my word was Radiate. I chose this word because I wanted to:
show up with more confidence in my expertise and my teaching
trust my inner-knowing and to share that with you.
To make sure that I kept focussed on that as an intention I made sure I put reminders around the place; on my phone lock-screen, in my planner, and even as a sun charm on my necklace. These small reminders anchored me to the energy of Radiate, even when the year felt tough.
While I didn’t hit all the goals I associated with Radiate, it stayed with me in more subtle ways. It reminded me that we’re always radiating something—whether it’s confidence, compassion, or resilience and to keep showing up even when it is hard. That insight helped me move through a challenging year with purpose.
‘Soft power and strong presence’ in 2025.
It took me a while to settle on this year's ‘phrase’. I was toying with ‘connection’ for quite some time, but then after a few deep conversations with my boo ChatGPT this is what came out.
For me, soft power is about empathy, intuition, and connection. It’s the quiet strength that comes from listening, understanding, and leading with compassion. It’s about creating safe spaces and inspiring trust.
Strong presence, on the other hand, is about standing firm in your truth. It’s having the courage to be seen, to speak up, and to show up authentically. It’s the grounded confidence that says, “I belong here, and I have value.”
Together, these qualities form a balance that feels deeply aligned with who I want to be. They also remind me of the High Priestess archetype—a figure of intuitive wisdom and grounded power. She leads with strength and grace, bridging the spiritual and the practical, the gentle and the bold. She’s an archetype that I will be working with in my more spiritual practice in the year ahead.
What it means to me
As women, we’re often expected to be soft or strong, but rarely both. The world loves to tell us that kindness is weakness or that setting boundaries makes us unapproachable.
Soft Power, Strong Presence is about rejecting that false choice. It’s about being unapologetically kind while holding your boundaries firm. It’s a reminder that power doesn’t have to look aggressive—it can look like showing up authentically, listening deeply, and trusting your intuition.
As a mother, I am learning that parenting teenagers is a lesson in balance. They’re growing into their independence, and my role is shifting from manager to guide.
Soft power is in the way I listen to their needs, create space for their emotions, and offer support without control. Strong presence is in the courage I model—showing them how to face challenges, set boundaries, and step into their own power.
This phrase reminds me that my presence in their lives can be both gentle and strong—a balance they need as much as I do.
Leadership has often been defined as “power over,” but the kind of leadership I believe in—and that I think the world desperately needs—is about “power with.”
Soft power creates environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued. It’s about leading with empathy and building trust. Strong presence is being decisive, clear, and confident in your vision.
Whether I’m working with clients, speaking on a stage, or making decisions for my business, this balance allows me to lead with both strength and grace.
So what about you?
What word or phrase could guide you in 2025? I encourage you to use this time to reflect on where you are and where you want to go. What qualities do you want to nurture? What energy do you want to carry with you through the year?
Choosing a word or phrase is more than a cute form of New Year’s Resolution making — it’s a practical way to focus your actions, and live in real alignment with your values. I encourage you to find one that speaks to your heart and keeps you anchored, no matter what the year brings.
Let me know in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to hear the word or phrase that’s guiding you. Here’s to a year of clarity, courage, and connection for all of us. 🌟
