my 2013 word of the year
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I love the idea of having a one word goal for the year- a sort of goal and priority labeling for 2013.
My word of the year last year was ‘balance.’ My main goal was to give up some of the items on the never-ending list of ‘good things’ in order to pursue the things that are truly the ‘best things.’ I aimed for less productivity, prioritizing sleep and exercise, and more playtime with my family.
Sometimes that went great (our five week family trip was great for extended ‘hang out time’).
And sometimes I totally botched it (I seem to be an expert at stretching myself too thin).
Honestly, the chance to start over, try again, put new things in place in effort to do better is my favorite part of the new year (paired with the reminder to reevaluate- love the built in chance to reflect).
And so my word of the year for 2013 is…
I want our home to be a comfy, cozy, warm, safe haven for my family and for other people. I want to spend time here, more time than we spent at home last year. I want to celebrate here, to play here, to grow here.
In order to make that happen, I’m going to try to-
1. Say “no” more. I mentioned above that I am great at stretching myself too thin, and that’s true. I think that will always be a struggle for me, but I want to actively work on growing in this area this year. You’ve probably noticed that I’ve scaled back my blog schedule from posting every day to only posting three or four times a week. I am going to continue this schedule in order to add more ‘margin’ into our family schedule. Adam and I are also going to have a little State of the Family meeting this month where we’re going to scrutinize our commitments and look for ways to scale back. I am really excited about the potential for a less crazy schedule (and home life)!
2. Finish up the projects we’ve started. A chaotic, under-construction space is not cozy nor haven-like. I am going to try to make a dent in the unfinished-ness by tackling a project a week for the whole year. Slow and steady, right?
3. Stay home more. Instead of following my busy-bee tendencies, always flitting here and there, I am trying to leave at least one day (M-F) each week where we don’t have any commitments. In my head, this translates into Lego marathons in the winter and family gardening in the summer- anything to be together, really. I only have a couple more years of ‘daytime hours’ with the Smooches and I hope to really take advantage of those in 2013.
It’s funny- I think that many times the “Word of the Year” exercise inspires lofty goals and motivation. And I feel like I am striving for just the opposite- less doing, less pursuing, less productivity, less projects. But I also feel like a focus on HOME is just the thing we need this year, and so I’m going to go with it.
Several of my sweet friends are also blogging their Words of the Year today- go check them out-
The Sewing Rabbit Word of the Year
If Only They Would Nap Word of the Year
What about you? Have you ever done this before? Do you have a ‘word of the year’ for 2013?
I love your word! Home. I feel all warm and fuzzy just saying it. Well put!
I do!
I first read about “Word of the year” from Ali Edwards’ blog two years ago.
She does a scrapbook and journal type online clas also to help one focus on their word every month of the year! I’ve never done the class before but am going to this year:)
My word this year is : BE.
Be me. Be more. Be who I am meant to be. Be thankful! Be kind. Be patient:) etc… I really want to focuses on being the best me I can be for my family and friends!:)
Krystal, I love your word and I love your explanation of what you’re hoping to do with it!
Great word. And what a wonderful idea to have a state of the family meeting. We need one of those or maybe an intervention for me. 😉
Thanks friend. And YES to the State of the Family Meeting- so good. It is kind of intervention, really, self imposed intervention. 🙂
I LOVE this idea! Patrick and I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I think I can handle coming up with a theme word for the year. And I like that choosing one word helps you to focus in on ONE thing, instead of resolving to conquer the world in a year. When I have a long list of resolutions, I can barely keep them through the month of January and end up feeling like a failure. Who wants to start out the new year that way??
Nicole, totally with you. 🙂 One thing seems doable, too much more doesn’t. One of my ‘blog friends,’ Annalea (annaleahart.com, I think- also, she lives in ABQ!!!) had a ‘one small change’ challenge where she’d do one thing, like drinking more water, until it was actually habit. I always think about what a great idea that is. 🙂
After several years of seeing my favorite bloggers choose words to focus on during the year, I’ve chosen to do so this year. I chose the word “intention”, with the hope that I will make more deliberate choices, about our home, about my activities, about the food I eat, and the purchases I make.
Rachael, what a great word. I love that, I love the ‘label’ to give direction. Cheers to an intentional year. 🙂
My word for the year is “patience”. My hope is to be more patient with myself, my kids, and life in general. I’m trying not to get too caught up in the “busyness” of modern life; but to just be patient and let things happen when they should.
Aww, Jennifer, I love that one. What a great reminder!
Ah, great word. Excited to see more of your home as you pull it together. And I hear ya on the overscheduling – it’s just that our blogger pals think of such fun events and it’s hard to pass them up!! 😉
Thanks Kristin!
And YES on the fun events- so hard to pass up. 😉
My word for 2013 is expectant. I believe there are big things on the horizon, but I’m not sure what yet (except for the “we’re having a baby” part!).
I love that Jen!
So fun to see you Saturday, by the way! 🙂