Word of the Week: Better

Lately, everywhere I turn, I'm told to do life better.

Eat better. Parent better. Lead better. Rest better.

Even at MDW, we offer suggestions to “live better.”

But when every scroll, podcast, and headline tells us how we’re getting it wrong, “better” starts to feel like an impossible finish line. And if we’re not careful, the pursuit of better can drown out the things that matter.

Reframing Better: Return to Your Values

Instead of trying to do everything better, what if we focused on doing what aligns with our values? If you’ve never explored your values (or feel like you’ve lost sight of them), here are a few ways to begin:

Reflection Prompts:

• When was the last time I felt proud of how I handled a situation? What value was I honoring?

• Whose life or work inspires me — and why?

• When do I feel most like myself?

• What do I want people to feel when they’re around me?

• What do I want to make space for in this season of life?

Start with just one word or theme that rises to the top. Peace, connection, growth, creativity, joy - whatever feels alive for you.

When Living Your Values Feels Hard

Sometimes living in alignment with our values feels impossible. Work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, financial stress, or even just the state of the world can leave us feeling weary and beaten down.

If your value is peace but your life feels chaotic, or your value is freedom but you feel trapped by obligations, it can feel discouraging, like you’re failing at the very things that matter to you most.

But you’re not failing. It means you’re human, living in a very real tension between your values and your circumstances.

This is where we offer ourselves grace and look for small, doable ways to honor our values, even if it’s just for five minutes at a time.

Screen Boundaries to Support Your Values

Your phone can be a huge driver of the “do it better” spiral. Try one or two of these guardrails this week:

• Mute or unfollow accounts that feel like constant critique.

• Create a values-based screen rule: Before opening an app, ask “Does this connect with what I care about right now?”

• Time-block your scroll: Give yourself intentional windows (morning coffee or lunch break) instead of all-day background noise.

• Replace 15 minutes of scrolling with something that supports your values, like journaling, stretching, sitting quietly, doodling, or walking outside.

Grounded Self-Talk

• “I am allowed to live by my own priorities.”

• “I can’t do everything, but I can do what matters most to me today.”

• “I choose presence over perfection.”

• “Doing something aligned with my values is always better than chasing ‘better.’”

Values Word Bank

Not sure where to start? Here are some words to get you thinking below. Circle or jot down the ones that stand out and then choose one to guide you this week.

Authenticity • Belonging • Bravery • Clarity • Compassion • Curiosity • Delight • Faithfulness • Freedom • Generosity • Integrity • Presence • Resilience • Rootedness • Sanctuary • Service • Tenderness • Whimsy

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago is a storyteller, strategist, and community builder who’s equally at home writing compelling content or navigating teenage chaos with tea in hand.

A seasoned writer with 20+ years of experience across industries—from mental health and design to insurance and advocacy—she’s also the founder of MDW (The Modern Domestic Woman), a no-fluff resource hub for women in transition.

Whether she’s ghostwriting for execs or spotlighting small-town gems, Elizabeth brings heart, humor, and a fierce belief in the power of connection. Learn more at MDWcares.com or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.