I had 2 words this year: Brave and Authentic. Brave because after being a full time stay at home mum for 16 years I decided to return to the work force. Authentic because the older you get you realize the importance of all things (including relationships) being what they truly are.🌷

My word has been Home... Having to leave my home last year, I was striving to find the feeling of home inside myself, my family and daily routines, that bring comfort... and hopefully, a place to call home. I haven't found the place, though I might be on my way there. I was thinking of carrying the word into the following year, but ended up deciding to let go of it and submitting to the unknown.

2023 Word: Authentic. I have let go of that which no longer serves me and made room for that which does serve me. I am a recovering people pleaser. I relinquished the habit this year. It is a journey. What a ride!

“Truth”. I contemplate the word during the year and see where I wind up with it. Ultimately, it meant to stop looking the other way-what do I need to deal with head on in my life. I took on my relationship with alcohol. Now I am pretty much alcohol free and feel so incredibly fantastic I can’t explain it. I would never have imagined how it has given me the clarity, focus, energy and joy I had kept searching for. Life is not perfect, but I am so much better to handle it. Loving your vlogmas!

My favorite Vlogmas 🌺🌲

I didn't have the opportunity to have a word... My mom is dying from cancer, if i had to resume i would say : survive, loss and forget yourself. She is just 55 years. I'm sorry, it's not inspirational but it's true. I love her. Thank you for your chanel, it's so comforting.

"Nourish" was my word this year. Last year I had a lot of changes in my life and I felt like this year I needed to get my bearings, take care of myself (more sleep, good food, time outdoors, spiritual growth, etc.), and settle into a routine.

My word for 2023 was progress. It has helped me the whole year through. Beautiful vlog Jess x

I don’t have a word for this year but I will think of something for the next year 🤔 I feel lonely most of the time but I don’t trust people so I’ve learned to live by myself. Love your vlogs dear 💌

I think I was 9 or 10 when a child psychologist told my mother I was 'insecurely attached'. I've had a lot of therapy since then and am still actively working on issues with shame and anxiety (I'm 57) - I've never directly focused on attachment though because for me it's the shame which has shaped everything else and working with that is both the most challenging area of all and where I can make changes. It's been slow work though and there are times when I've just been sick of it all and felt like the legacy of my childhood just never ends. Sorry if that sounds negative, I'm not saying 'woe is me, it's so awful and hard', just that this work can be hard as you say. It's worth it, but it's certainly the hardest thing I've ever done. On a lighter note, what a beautiful Park and a lovely way to enjoy a Sunday- I have no desire to live in Paris but I really enjoy having a little peek into your life!

My word for next year is going to be cherish. It takes courage to openly love and cherish people. I often try to protect myself by being distant and end up hurting myself more in the process. I thought about gratitude as my word, but that didnt seem sufficient for the depth of engagement I want to push for.

My word for 2024 is Health!!!! 2023 word was forgiveness!

I stumbled upon your vlog just this week. Here I thought, oh another young, beautiful girl living in Paris and showing everyone what a fabulous lifestyle as she goes shopping. Uh…I was wrong. Not wrong about the beauty blah blah but so wrong about my initial Judgement. And it just goes to show how much I need to unpack around that. So I’m really sorry for bringing that energy into it at first. I have to say, your words and energy is resonating with me at a very deep and vulnerable part of me. Your words are like a soothing balm for my raw nerves and loneliness. I came to France at the age of 50, Seven years ago. I came with hope, curiosity and love. Got married to a long lost love and now? Well I’m different now. What is becoming very evident and what struck me the most is what you said about people connecting and when you truly connect with someone you are able to see one another without judgement. Sitting in acceptance and solidarity and really, truly, listening with your heart and soul. And what you said about really seeing the other person. That it’s not all about me. That balance between taking care of myself and being present for another person is so hard when the other person is not capable of, or is disinterested in personal growth. Your words make me Feel sad because the other person in my life has no interest in truly listening. So life is changing. I am changing. And that’s the trick, right? People grow in different directions and nothing ever stays the same. I know. Long comment but you’ve touched something within me that needs tenderness and I thank you for that gift. Be well. Sending you love and friendship from Normandie. Dana

Hello Jess a very lovely relaxing vlog! Glad you found a nice friend to go and spend some meaningful time with it always helps to have good people around....thank you for sharing your very chilled Sunday with us all ❤🙏🏻🙏🏻

My word this year was gratitude. 2021 and 2022 my family and I went through some extremely tough times and people stepped up for us. Family, friends and complete strangers. It was overwhelming. I made a point to feel grateful for every little thing this year. By nature I'm a grateful and positive person, but this took it to the next level. I've never felt so content and happy with life. Even when this year was filled with the loss of my father in law, Covid taking us down for nearly two weeks and our car crapping out on us, I was able to focus on the good and knew everything always works out for me/us. And you know what? It has. I'll have to give a lot of thought to my word for next year. Thanks for the reminder! I did take the attachment style quiz and got secure. I'll have to read up on it later. It was kind of surprising since I never had a close relationship with my dad growing up and haven't seen or spoken to him for 25 years. I guess my mom and husband have given me that sense of security he never could. Anyway, I've really been enjoying vlogmas with you Jess! I was wondering if you were going to pain that yellow wall. lol Can't wait to see what you've done! Have a great night! 😊

Absolutely loving your cosy, relaxing, thought-provoking and beautiful Christmas vlogs! Love from Derbyshire. ❤

Lovely, serene moment in my day. My Word for 2023 has been Wonder. It's been a bit elusive and I'm pursuing it more actively, as the year winds down. I may carry it over into next year. There is so much I could say on the subject of connection. As a self professed loner and the outlier in my family, I don't have many deep meaningful relationships. I hold some parts of myself back because I know we don't share a similar opinion about certain things. Outside of my marriage I don't think there's anyone who truly knows me.

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My word would be peace inside me and outside. Hope you show us those new roses tomorrow,after you have placed them in their vase. I will be alone this year for Christmas, as friends and family going out of town, parents both passed and no siblings, and of course an ex-husband; but I have decided I will get brave again, as I had done in the past and go to a magnificent Christmas dinner on Christmas eve first seating at 5 pm. And just reflect on the good things I have. I have a family story too and believe me, it is hard to get on with it. But each time we come out of our shell or safe zone and take a chance, I do feel better and I have achieved something. Don’t forget to show us those beautiful roses. Love to see when you go for walks with Hope;and the beautiful scenery.

My word this year was Honesty ( i started to do it because of you 🥰).To myself and other , to not hold back my feelings and telling when I not ok with things. The little things that we force ourselves because we fear to be annoying and people will think less of us but I’m done to do that and I let them think what they want and most of the time they’re ok with it! So don’t hold back when you feel like doing something you don’t want to ! Real friends will not judge you. And also to myself saying stop I need to rest more. I didn’t figure out yet my word for next year. Vincennes Park is lovely ☺️ I need to go back there 🌲

My word of the year was "anchor". I have had a tendency to lose grip with who I am both in social setting but also, and most difficult, when I am on my own. I desperately felt like I needed to find that sort of center in who I am and to find a way to keep that connection strong. I have made progress, but as with so many other things in life it has opened up for more revelations and new challenges. But - I don't know, I think the sense of anchor in myself has grown stronger this year. I have also found out how much RSD is a part of my being neurodivergent. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria makes connection of any kind so hard. However, I do think that learning about this will help me in the future. And as I am typing this out I am thinking about the word "balance". Balance in relation to fear and taking chances, balancing anxiety with hope, prioritizing keeping myself balanced - perhaps that is next year's word of the year for me.

Love your vlogs. All very relatable even though I’m 56 and with 2 children. I have a similar blonde Cockerpoo called Pip. It’s the importance of connection to myself, so I can then better connect to others, sensory sensitivity and the simplicity of a minimalist life that most resonates. ❤

The word of the year....solutions! So many are going through so much. And rather thenvbeingvtornbdown being sad it's good to look for solutions.. makes for happier days and times.vThank you for today's video. Very well done!;❤🎉

My word was revival and theme was old roots new fruit 🍇. I am a Christ follower but one can use this in all aspects of life ❤ I love Brene Brown. We say people need to be know, cared for connected. And as a community church we believe that people often belong before they believe ❤

This was lovely! I think so much about the same questions on connection and loneliness and how to get better in connecting with others. It’s lovely to hear your perspective. ❤ I look forward to tomorrow. Your videos are so peaceful. ❤

Beautiful vlog, very calming and some lovely words of advice. I tried for the first time this year thanks to you, a word for the year, it was 'CAN' as in 'I can' and I have to say it has been a very interesting experience. One of my main things was 'I Can' enjoy our eldest sons wedding, being an introvert and suffering with anxiety a wedding day fills me with dread but I kept my word of the year in my head and I did enjoy the day, I made sure I had moments of quite taking myself away for a few moments but it was the most magical day. I would say a word for the year has served me well and I am happy with the things I have achieved and learnt and I look forward to a new word for 2024.

I really want connection too, more than anything. I strive for freedom and connection and I believe the two are interlinked. It baffles me too Jess how we have so many ways of connecting now but yet we do not know how to truly connect. Its not that difficult either. We just need to listen to eachother and hear eachother and respect and understand eachother and basically do what the beautiful Brene Brown quote says and make eachother feel valued and it's not about this being a big effort, it should be quite a natural thing to do. Love how you set a word and intention for the year. That's a great idea. I did the attachment style quiz. I am avoidant dismissive. I feel like I am but I'm not at the same time. I really try to connect. No actually thats not true I could try harder to connect (realisation whilst typing this). I put all my efforts on one person. U r so inspiring and I love how u actually listen to yourself to learn about yourself. I have the same goals as you and am also very introspective and willing to learn. Cheers to us both being the best versions we can be and let's hope we can find those connections we yearn for ❤ listen and be curious is something I've learnt is essential for connection too and also it seems obvious but we can get into habits so easily of talking about our lives and our wants and its too easy to listen to respond. I've got into such a bad habit of that but I've noticed this and am working on listening and being more curious about the other person. Thanks for the reminder x

Hi Jessica, my word for this year was simplify, hasn’t been so simple to do but Thankyou for your vlog I’m inspired to have a simple and slow Christmas this year and connection is so important whatever age you are.

My word for 2023 was creativity. For most of the year, I did really well with it, but after August more or less I lost touch with my word, so much so that I could remember what it was and had to look at my vision board. I started picking a word for the past four years and this may have been the hardest to work on.

Love how you’re learning all the swear words Jess 😂 you seem so settled and happy ❤

such a beautiful vlogmas 💗 sending Hope & you some love from snowy Berlin

Heal- I mean completely… last year was humility. Trust, respect is primordial for me in any relationships. I was raised by a psychopathic mother…. Need I say more. ….. I had to learn to get to know myself and to love myself. Trust your journey….

Funny! As soon as vid started I was thinking that yellow wall was a bit bright, and figured you probably didn’t love it. I know it came that way and thought maybe you weren’t allowed to change it. I’m confident whatever you choose will be just lovely!

I’m actually thinking my word of next year will be disconnect, and I mean disconnecting from work, from my phone, from too many things in my head. Being autistic I struggle with disconnecting, my brain goes at 500mph and I need to switch off. I need to dedicate more time to doing stuff away from other people as I feel too much from work or my phone takes up a lot of space in my head!

A word of the year is something i want to do next year! I'm moving from Devon to the french countryside and with so many things changing as part of that, im struggling to pick one - any suggestions? ❤

I think I may have to choose connection for my word next year because I'm such a hermit.. it will be good for me.. gulp! How did you land on that word, or any word, do you have a formula to help you choose which word, or does your intuition flag one word up above the rest?

Such a relaxing vlog , the flowers are beautiful 🌷. Should I say this ….honestly the yellow wall does not seem to fit your style . Once you make it yours I think you’ll feel more settled . It will be a beautiful interest wall , I know wallpaper (not our parents wallpaper) but some very beautiful wallpapers are popular now . Self adhesive makes it the perfect DIY project . And it removes easily . Just a thought 🙂

My word this year was consistency - next year it is going to be discipline 🥰