Inhabit, v.

Transitive verb:

1. To occupy as a place of settled residence or habitat: live in
2. To be present in or occupy in any manner or form

Intransitive verb:

archaic: to have residence in a place: DWELL

Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary

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The essence that I want my year to have is one of becoming comfortable in my own skin and owning the territories that I am hanging out in.

With territories I am referring to my art business, my artistic style, my body and generally, how I show up in this world.

There are times when I feel like an imposter. I know this is a very common feeling. But I also know that with enough work and perseverance to get to know that particular arena, I also start living in it like I belong. 

I want to start feeling the same way in making my business work. Not because of money or fame, which are great, but also because being an entrepreneur and growing as one is also a spiritual growth. That is a controversial idea, I understand, but I have recognized that I am always stretching myself to grow a little bit more. And the most stretching is felt in the areas I am most uncomfortable or immature in. Showing up in public, having people comment on my work, and me having to talk about it and sound intelligent, marketing, learning how to make a website, or learning the ins and outs of video making- these and a whole lot more have been hard for me. 

But hard also has made it exciting. It has made me realize that I can stretch myself, I can learn new skills. It has given me confidence that I am able to show up how I need to in that moment. Yes, it will take discomfort, it will take learning, but I can get there.

And now, with all the facing of the discomfort and growing, I want to own it. I want to live in this entrepreneurial world like I belong.

And the same goes with being an artist. Just putting that label on myself has been activating my imposter alarm with gusto! I want to be an artist, I make art, but can I really call myself that? Do I have the right? These questions, if not verbal, exist in their essence in my mind. Another area of my life that I would love to own and hold pride and comfort in belonging. Because I do put in the work.

And finally my body. I have been working on getting healthy and strong over the past two plus years. My body is constantly changing, both with age, and with my developing strength and shape. I love that I found the resources to make the change that I do have control over, aka- getting strong, exercising, eating well- seeing it come to fruition slowly and steadily. To own this new way of being in my body, and keep an eye on transition into peri-menopause and ultimately into menopause is something I want to get comfortable with. To accept that things are changing, to love that I am already taking action, to own the space I take up in a room…that is the place I want to get to. With both my strength and muscle growth and my vulnerable and aging body.

Having confidence and ownership of who I am, and who I am becoming, and who I want to be. 

Without being apologetic. Without feeling shy. 

Yes, I am an artist. Yes, I do go to the gym and spend hours each week. Yes, I am putting myself out there to get good at marketing and growing my business.

For helping me on this journey through 2025, I have chosen INHABIT as my word.

To remind me of all the stretching I need to do. To help me get over my insecurities. To help my vulnerabilities with crossing over to the side of belonging. 

To grow and live my potential.