Word of the Week: Ethos

This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about values. What I hold dear, what I’ve outgrown, and how those quiet inner shifts show up in the smallest corners of life.

It started in my basement, surrounded by bins of Halloween decorations.

While unboxing them, I realized how many things I’d bought over the years just to fill space. Glittery pumpkins, random clearance finds, impulse buys that once felt “festive” but now just felt… heavy. So, I donated a whole box of them.

As I sorted, I caught myself thinking:

If I had just paused before buying, would I have even wanted them? 

That pause felt like my ethos speaking. That inner current reminds me to choose what aligns with who I am now, not who I used to be.

But lately, my reflections on ethos have stretched beyond my home. With everything happening in the world, the headlines, the hurt, the intensity of things I cannot control, I’ve found myself questioning my values on a much deeper level.

What do I truly stand for?

What kind of energy am I contributing to my community, to the conversations I’m having, to the way I show up in my life every day?

Defining our values has never felt more important. In times of uncertainty, your ethos becomes an anchor. The thing that keeps you steady when everything else feels like it’s spinning.

When we take time to define what truly matters, we start to recognize the moments when we’re living in alignment - and when we’ve drifted from it. Reflection is where that awareness begins.

Journal Prompts

1. What feels “off” in your space, habits, or routines lately? What might your ethos be trying to tell you?

2. Think about a time you said no to something and felt instant relief. What value were you protecting?

3. How has your personal ethos shifted in light of what’s happening in the world right now?

Positive Self-Talk

• “It’s okay for my values to evolve as I do.”

• “Even when the world feels chaotic, I can live in alignment with what’s true for me.”

• “Every pause is an act of integrity.”

• “My choices (big or small) can reflect the kind of world I want to help create.”

Want to explore this more?

Join us this Saturday, October 18th, for our Values & Vision Workshop, led by our Mental Health Advisor, Carrie Summers.

We’ll spend the morning unpacking what truly matters to us, how our values shape our decisions, our relationships, and even what we choose to keep in our homes. And then, we’ll create a custom bracelet as a tangible reminder of those values. Something you can wear when life feels loud, to quietly ground you back in your truth.

Expect cozy coffee cups, real conversation, a little laughter, and that deep exhale that comes when you realize: you’re not the only one figuring it out as you go.

Your ethos already lives within you. Let’s help you hear it more clearly.

Sign up here!

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago is a storyteller, media 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.