For a long time, I thought the answer was more focus.
Focus harder.
Plan better.
Dial it in.
And for a while, that worked.
But at this stage of life, the issue isn’t distraction — it’s selection. Too many good ideas. Too many options that could work. Too many things competing for our time, money, and energy.
That’s why my word for the year ahead is Discernment.
Discernment is what comes after focus.
It’s the ability to tell the difference between what’s good… and what’s mine.
Why Discernment Matters in Midlife
When you’re younger, saying yes feels expansive.
In midlife, saying yes has a cost.
Every yes pulls from something else:
- your energy
- your attention
- your peace
Discernment isn’t about doing less for the sake of minimalism. It’s about choosing wisely — without second-guessing yourself into exhaustion.
It sounds like:
- This matters.
- This doesn’t.
- This can wait.
- This is a no, even if it looks good on paper.
How to Practice Discernment (Right Now)
You don’t need a new system. You need better questions:
- Does this support the life I’m building — or just fill space?
- Am I choosing this out of alignment or obligation?
- If nothing changed externally, would this still feel right?
Discernment is quiet.
But when you practice it, life gets clearer — fast.
Takeaway:
You don’t need permission to choose wisely. You already know more than you think.