2025 - The Word

It’s that time again. As I have done each year since 2020, I have chosen my word of year for 2025. The intention is to set the tone and be present to it on a daily basis. Since 2021, I have posted a quote of the day with the word hashtagged in my Instagram stories as a daily reminder.

Previous words have included “present” in 2020, “forward” in 2021, “upward” in 2022, “time” in 2023 and “fly” in 2024. This past year, I was focused on flying both figuratively and literally and I feel like I did!

In thinking back over the past year, there were very notable highlights. I celebrated my 50th birthday with many of the people I love. I enjoyed concerts, including a few with my kids, and the Yankees’ run to the World Series. I also coached an amazing softball team that won the 12U Little League State Championship which allowed us to travel to Bristol, CT to represent New Jersey in the regional tournament which was broadcast on ESPN+. This was a truly special experience especially since it was my last year of coaching and I got to share it with my daughter, Dylan.

There was also a monumental low in 2024 which was the sudden loss of my cousin, Jared Forma. I always empathized with people who wished they could just have one more conversation with a loved one who passed. While I have lost people close to me before, I never really felt that I needed just one more conversation the way I felt when Jared died and I still feel that way today almost four months later.

In thinking of the year ahead, I really thought about the best of the best and the worst of the worst of 2024. What did I want more of and what did I want to avoid in the year ahead? It was simple.

I want more experiences with people who are important to me. I want to say all of the things that there are to say before it’s too late. I want to be there for the people who need me and I want to be open to needing others. I want the important relationships to continue to grow and invest time to ensure that happens.

What I want is CONNECTION and that is my word for 2025.

I want to be connected to the people that are important to me. More phone calls, fewer texts. More plans, fewer excuses. More hugs, fewer likes on social media. More meals with people, fewer eating in the car. And more concerts…because you can never stand shoulder to shoulder and sing at the top of your lungs enough.

Real connection. 

My happiest moments of 2024 were when I was connected to those around me. Sometimes, it involved hours in the car for a few minutes of time and other times it was “the thought that counts,” but genuine connection in good times, and bad, is crucial for me to have the kind of life that I want to have.

Everyone I know is busy, and people assume I am too. However, I am not too busy for my people. That said, I have been guilty of not asking for plans because I assume it’s a hassle unless it’s attached to a cool event. My goal this year is to ask more. Connect more. You never know when it will be too late. 

If you want to grab coffee, dinner, FaceTime…connect with me in any way…just ask. The answer will be yes.

Wishing you a 2025 of laughter, love, health, happiness and connection.

JN