Last year my friend Lauren asked me to choose a word of the year for 2016.
I had one foot in the past and one foot in the future and had no idea where my life was headed, so I chose the word PRESENT. My goal for 2016 was to stop worrying / thinking / analyzing about what would happen in 3 months, a year, or 5 years. To let go of all of the planning I had done my whole life and to just be. Reflecting on that word choice, it worked out well. I truly did embrace living in the present.
Here we are stepping into crisp, pure January, and it’s time to choose my word of the year.
I considered: Efficient. Focused. Driven. Kindness. Outrageous. Spirited. Motivated.
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After quite a bit of thought my word is:
I wanted something I could apply to many areas of my life, and intentional seemed to fit the bill. When I think about the past two years, they just sort of floated by with more reaction than action.
I want to be intentional with my….
Blog. I want to write about things that excite me and that I hope will inspire or excite you and let go of the business focus a bit.
Relationships. I need to cherish those relationships that are most important to me and deliberately spend time with those people.
Health. I hope to plan meals, workouts, sleep, and de-stressors that are purposeful rather than reactionary. I want to put more time into preparing plant-based, nutrient-rich meals.
Spending. I will buy things or experiences with purpose, thinking in advance the how and why they will enhance my life.
Home. Gradually the stuff builds up, and I wish for everything in my home to be considered and have space to breathe.
Have you guys ever chosen a word of the year? What’s yours?!
My two words for last year kind of relate to yours – “linger” and “embrace”.
Love those!
These are awesome goals!
I think this year I am going to go by the word Activism. With the incoming president and his viewpoints being diametrically opposed to everything I hold dear, I am going to spend my time acting in accordance with my values and pushing back against change that threatens the earth, women’s rights and human rights. I generally don’t make New Year’s resolutions and, because I work in advocacy, most of my day is about paying attention to injustices, but right now I think everyone needs to be more outwardly focused as much as possible.
I hope you and Mazen have a great year!!
Love it!
Re: spending/things – have you read The Magical Art of Tidying up? That definitely helped me be more intentional with how I purchase and treat my things. I’m stealing the Nike logo for my intention – just do it! I often hold back on doing something or doing it the right way (like just scrambling eggs instead of being patient and trying to make an omelet, ha!) so I want to spend more time doing things the right way!
YES! Loved it. Post here!
And I love the Nike logo. I saw someone on Facebook say that they only “resolution” was to say YES.
I believe that is also Oprah’s way of life….she has used that phrase “leading an intentional life” ever since I can remember. Maybe we can all learn something from that.
I love it! Short and sweet!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Intentional is such a great word because I feel that by consequence it encourages being present and mindful at the same time. My word has to be contentment – choosing to live and create moments that bring me contentment.
I am writing a post about contentment : )
My word for this year is efficient!
I’m looking forward to automating more and organizing for efficiency purposes!
For example, my recipe binder has been a disaster for several years. If I didn’t make it in 2016 (and it’s not an heirloom recipe), it went in the recycling bin yesterday. I’m also printing successful Pinterest recipes that I want to make again instead of searching for them every few weeks. I hope that helps with meal planning as well as I often get distracted when trying to meal plan from Pinterest .;)
Happy New Year!
This was almost mine 😉
that exactly the word i choose this year and for many of the same reasons! this is my first year ever choosing a word of the year.
I love the word intentional, especially when it comes to food, health, relationships, and money! Last year, my words were brave and fearless. This year, I want to have a little more ease, rest, and recovery. But no one word chosen yet for 2017!
Great word! I did this also this year and picked focused. I need to work on getting my to do lists done and pass my CDE exam.
love your choice of intentional! The word “simplify” is mine for 2017. let go of the things that don’t serve you and simplify. For me, this looks like not saying yes all the time and being ok if I choose to say no to things that ultimately bring more stress.
Mine is contentment- after a crazy year of change, I’m ready to slow down and just enjoy. I’ll probably make a few small goals but no BIG goals in 2017. 🙂
i love your word!!!
I think if I had a word it would be listen. or wait. I tend to to jump ahead and worry or just go go go with my thoughts and actions.
I have practiced with abbi, and listening is a huge deal for her. She is more of a processor, a thinker, a deep feeler which i LOVE but i takes patience to really hear her voice and her thoughts. It takes waiting and being available and open without talking in the mean time. Anyways, listening goes along INTENTIONALLY waiting. Love that! I think that I might steal that! 🙂
Thank you for another sweet year of good things on this blog! I can’t wait for more fun family and just life posts about whatever your heart desires! XOXO
Listening is so important for us talkers 😉 xoxo
My word is -pause- pause to enjoy, pause to react w love and justice. Pause to do whatever it is I am constantly rushing thru. Maybe I’ll be able to look back on my reactions to things throughout the day and think “yes! That was true, affirming and kind.” Here we go!
I like it!
I love this! My word this year is Intention!
I love the word intentional, and doing things with a purpose. I love the word trust – to trust in the process and the plan, and that hard work pays off. I would also like to just say yes more 🙂
Me too!
I love intentional!!! My word this year is meaningful. I want to create meaningful relationships and choices.
My word is “Confidence”! I left my job as a corporate attorney to start my own business and, although I’m terrified, I know it will work out somehow. I am also working on building confidence in relationships, friendships, and business interactions. I want to have the confidence to put content out there that inspires me & that I hope inspires others, instead of worrying about what people will think of it/me.
Thanks for posting!
I love it!
Loved this post and idea. After two days of thought, I have decided; simplify. Home, closet, relationships, work, everything.
I am reading an interesting book on fighting resistance. So if I can have two words, I’d pick: Fight resistance.
Embrace.
Good one
I didn’t chose words specifically, but if I had to chose a word for 2015 it would have been “Celebrate” – I celebrated big things, little things … all the things. My husband and I made a conscious decision to celebrate life, often even on a random Tuesday evening. In 2016, my word would have been “Invest”. I invested a lot of time with the people that matter the most to me, including aging parents. I also invested time in myself, a lot of time with my husband, and quality time with girl friends in the summer. This year, I haven’t figured out what my word will be … something to think about 🙂
Great choices