I’m not really a “what’s your word for the year?” kind of person when it comes to making resolutions. I like the gist, but it feels limiting to just have a single word that encompasses everything. Rather, I’m a proponent of journaling, loose planning, and reading between the lines of my own behavior — basically, “taking inventory” as I’ve enjoyed calling it.

One theme that I’m discovering is important to me moving forward, which will likely be a guiding principle for what I choose to work on:

Less, but better.

Having a kid has made the pain points pointier, and the rough edges rougher. What I might have been able to get away with before in terms of time, energy, and resources now feels woefully difficult — and that’s okay! I’m so happy to relinquish more of myself to be a father to my son. But, that means making smarter, more conscious choices about what I’m able to do, given the limitations. I want to be 100% dialed in on a few things, rather than 50% on many (as this year has been).

Here’s to finding peace in subtraction in 2024.