One Little Word
Christmas and Hanukkah are now over and another new year is looming. I don't know about you, but I've always liked this in-between time. The big holiday push is over and done, but things aren't back to normal yet. I find myself being really reflective these days. The holidays and all of the traditions serve as markers in time; we remember the holidays of our youth, we watch our kids grow up and change with each year, and we think about how much we miss those who are no longer with us. It can be an emotional time.
This is also a time when we start looking forward to the new year ahead. There's something so enticing about a clean slate! Anything seems possible when you're planning and list-making and it's all still ahead of you. I used to make so many New Year's Resolutions during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Usually the list looked something like this:
lose weight
exercise more
lose weight
stop eating cookies for breakfast
lose weight
So unoriginal. I'd have other things on my list, too, and I'd be so gung-ho! But like most people, my enthusiasm would wane by early March at the latest. If I thought about any of it after March, it was with guilt and shame. And then I'd push it all out of my mind until the last week of December. Can you guess what my new year's resolutions for the next year would be?
But for the last few years, I've taken a different approach. I've followed designer/blogger/memory keeper Ali Edwards online for years, and she leads an on-line class called One Little Word. She suggests that instead of making resolutions, try choosing a word. Just one little word that represents what you want to focus on in the new year. It can be emotional, motivational, spiritual...whatever speaks to you at this point in your life.
New Year's Resolutions tend to be nothing more than self-improvement lists. This leads to sitting down with pen and paper and itemizing all the areas in which you suck. It's a real self-esteem booster. And if you believe every article ever written on the subject, they don't work. In my experience, choosing one word to focus and reflect on as you go about your daily life is much more meaningful.
In 2013, I chose the word "balance". I had visions of achieving the elusive balance that we all seek in our lives. Problem was, about halfway through the year, I realized I picked a bogus word (for me, anyway. It could work for you!) The problem was that instead of reflecting on and moving toward balance, I had basically made a bunch of self-improvement lists in the quest for balance. Old habits die hard. I realized that I envisioned a Pinterest-perfect existence where I managed all the different areas in my life while never feeling overwhelmed.
Yeah, for the first year, I kinda did it wrong.
In 2014, I chose the word "nourish". I had a better idea of how to approach things last year, and now that I'm at the end of 2014, I see that it was a really powerful experience. I lost my dad in 2013 and had some personal health issues around the same time, and it led to me feeling pretty tapped out by the end of 2013. I went into 2014 with the intention of nourishing my relationships, my faith, my little business, and myself.
I think the key is intention, not resolution.
If you google "One Little Word" you'll find a whole world of people who do this practice every year. If this idea intrigues you but you don't know what your word would be, here are some examples to get you thinking:
open
thrive
brave
aware
breathe
create
celebrate
courage
light
embrace
do
faith
grateful
intention
joy
mindful
perspective
reconnect
resilience
restore
seek
simplicity
transform
up
wonder
yes
It might take a while for a word to resonate with you. Try not to overthink it.
I mentioned that Ali Edwards leads an on-line class. You can register by clicking here: <aliedwards one little word> Each month she emails you a private link with a video and handouts and a creative prompt to document where you are with your word. But honestly, you don't need to take the class. If prompts are helpful and having a creative outlet is your thing, then I definitely recommend it. She also has a closed Facebook group and private online message boards where you can connect with other people taking the class. But if that's just one more thing clogging your inbox and you aren't the scrapbooking type, then you can certainly just keep a basic journal. Heck, you can just set an intention to reflect on where you are with your word on a regular basis! There are no rules to this! This process should serve you, not add to your never-ending to-do list.
My word for 2015 is choose. This word keeps coming up for me, so I'm going with it. Maybe I'll post about it at some point this year to let you know where I am in the process. I'm hoping it turns out to be as meaningful for me as "nourish" was in 2014.
I'd love to hear if you pick a word for yourself, too!
Enjoy this last week of 2014, and Happy New Year!
