What's new

One Little Word for 2018?

This year was the first year I tried to do OLW and I failed miserably LOL!! My word was "no", no excess spending, things etc...

I haven't decided if I'll do one for 2018 or not, maybe I should use "yes" since I did the 180 of a no?
 
LeeAndra said:
So I'm a hardcore OLWer and put way too much thought into choosing my word each year... and I am breaking those rules for 2018 with the word I have chosen. :)

2017 was a good year for my family after many years of survival and hanging on and just barely making it. It ended with me getting a good job that I really enjoy that we are just starting to see the benefits of now after a few weeks there. We are finally going to thrive vs. survive in 2018, and I can't wait!

I normally choose a verb so that I can focus on doing vs. being but next year's word is going to be #extra (yes, with the hashtag) which is a fun/hip/cutesy way of saying 'self-care' (but where's the fun in that?!). I am finally going to focus on me and do things for me that I've been putting off or choosing not to do because I thought people would judge me/we couldn't afford it/I didn't think I was brave enough --- nice makeup, a nose piercing, matching tats with my bestie, massages, trips by myself to visit friends/family, all the leopard print & floral & glitter/sparkle & pink I can find, singing or dancing lessons, Bible study/women's group/some other way to meet people & make friends, etc.

I'm going to be all in, all the time which, to me, is the very definition of #extra.
Click to expand...
LeeAndra - I think that's FANTASTIC, and I'm so, so happy for you! Enjoy your well-earned 2018 joys!!!
:funfun
 
I did OLW a couple of years ago but never really embraced it. Pretty much all my words had to do with less which was really where I've been for most of these years. I wanted less in my life in all areas. One year I did pick relax which kind of addressed my Virgo need for perfection!

This year I think I will pick Ali's word of Space. It's kind of the same as less but looking at it from another angle, a more positive angle. I really like the idea of space as the white space in my life. I REALLY need it now as all the Christmas stuff is out, bins included, plus the stuff that is waiting to go to the charity shops in 2018 because we are getting a new roof (whenever the roofers show up...) and so our attic eaves had to be emptied. Thank god my dh has a high tolerance for mess/clutter since his office is in the attic. He just doesn't even see the stuff he climbs over!

Yes, Space is it for me and I may even do the class.
 
This year's word is Joy(full) for me.

In the past I've done enjoy, steadfast, dare, create, and simplify. They've all been meaningful in different ways. I'm doing the class this year to get the most out of it.
 
I love having one word to sort of ‘anchor’ my year.. I used to do ‘family’ & ‘slow’ in previous years.. 2018, I think I’m going with ‘Purposeful’. This is because I’d like to be more purposeful in how I live. I think it’ll help me practice being mindful & prioritize as well because whatever I’d choose to do, it’ll need to fulfil my bigger purpose in life. God willing.
 
I would like to do OLW, as many have said... I like it as sort of my New Year's Resolution. I like @zakirahzakaria's description of it being an "anchor" for the year.

So, I know the general description of my focus for this year, but I'm not sure of a word. Something that I've been struggling with the past year is figuring out who I am beyond "mom". I'm not one of those moms who lives vicariously through her kids, but I'm finding that my day to day activities were more kid dependent than I thought. Now that they're 16 and 17 (and one will be off to college in the fall), I need to figure out what I'm going to do. Everything takes more effort now, and I need to make that effort. Like when Clara was in grammar school (up to 8th grade) we walked to school with other families and the moms chatted after the kids went into school. I'm still friends with those moms, but our get togethers have to be more planned now, rather than spontaneous chats and I find myself not planning them. Also finding out that many of my activities centered around her school (or dance) as well... need to find more outlets for getting out of the house.
 
LeeAndra said:
#extra
Click to expand...
I love the hashtag!

tkradtke said:
Something that I've been struggling with the past year is figuring out who I am beyond "mom". I
Click to expand...
Why not "Me"? It's not a selfish word unless you make it that way. But "Me" encompasses everything about who you are - your interests, your story, your desires, your goals. It can even be "Me - as I relate to the world".
 
My word last year was "Develop". I paid for the class, but ended up going my own direction. It worked well for me! I developed a lot of good habits, and processes.

This year, I haven't decided. Nothing has called to me. I know I want to continue my habits I developed last year, and work on more routines. Especially with homeschool and my school.
 
I've never done the official OLW stuff, but I do pick a word every year.

The last two years my word has been "Surrender" for lots of various reasons. A lot of people see that word as negative or giving up but I very much see it differently and it has helped me in so many ways, surrender and "feel" my feelings, surrender and allow God's will, surrender to peace. This year through, a friend (I'm looking at you @lmccandless) helped me see that I may have surrendered a little too much to one past experience in particular. A few years ago I was bullied in the most humiliating, hurtful way, this person openly defamed the most sacred truths I hold about myself. The shame of it all kept me silent and afraid, without even realizing I was doing it until recently.

It was eye-opening to see how much power I had given this experience and that I had started to own the terrible lies she told me. So today I celebrate my final day with my 2017 word "surrender" by sharing this experience for the first time ever and shouting to the world that I'm here, I'm not afraid and I belong. I am excited to make The Lilypad my home, excited to get to know each of you and of course excited to share that my word for 2018 is BELIEVE. Because I believe that the world is good and most of the people in it are even better and that life should be lived to the fullest without being held hostage by the past.
 
@Tangie Baxter - You brought tears to my eyes, my friend. I am so proud of you and so happy that you are reclaiming your truths and your story! Believe is such a beautiful word for you. I hope that 2018 is full of the creativity, peace and belonging that you deserve. You are such an amazing woman and I consider it privilege to share our TLP home with you. {{hugs}}
 
This is funny. I was having this same conversation with a friend this morning. She said that instead of making resolutions she's picked a word/concept to apply to her life for that year, and I liked that (I don't do resolutions at all!).

I've decided that my word would be "Breathe." I have a habit of holding my breath and/or not taking deep enough breaths, which in turn makes me even more tense. Last year was a stressful one and unfortunately it has effected my health in a not-too-good way. So breathing would not only help me to relax and de-stress, but to remember to stop and be thankful for what I have and all those around me, and to reassess those things I need to purge from my life that are negative (like my silly job!).
 
I've done them in teh past- nothing crazy, but something that I try to keep in mind throughout the year. Last year was simplify. I did pretty well with that one. This year- NOPE is my word. I'm a yes girl. So much so- that it affects my sanity & then my family. I am going to say YES less this year! ;)
 
QuiltyMom said:
I've decided that my word would be "Breathe." I have a habit of holding my breath and/or not taking deep enough breaths, which in turn makes me even more tense.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that does this (though I'm sorry you have to deal with it too). I also clench my jaw a lot, which had triggered TMJ for a month or so (almost completely resolved now after PT).

I'm so Type A that I tend to stress myself out. I'm trying to teach myself that constantly seeking perfection can be a joy stealer. "Breathe" is an excellent choice!!
 
Tangie Baxter said:
Because I believe that the world is good and most of the people in it are even better and that life should be lived to the fullest without being held hostage by the past.
Click to expand...
Amen, Tangie! What a beautiful and inspiring post. I'm so proud to be in a community that you're a part of. May 2018 be full of light, love and utter joy. Big hugs from Texas!! :grouphug:heartlub
 
@Tangie Baxter I have really relied on the word surrender for the last few months. Let go and let God. It's helped me so much. Your post is so lovely. I'm sorry for the negative that you have dealt with, but I'm so happy you are here and I really look forward to getting to know you better! Wishing you joy and peace in the new year!
 
Oh my goodness, I haven't even had the chance to think about whether I want to do the OLW much less come up with that OLW! Best of luck to all of you....hopefully this week when the kids are back in school and I can hear myself think, I'll come to some kind of decision!
 
Tangie Baxter said:
I've never done the official OLW stuff, but I do pick a word every year.

The last two years my word has been "Surrender" for lots of various reasons. A lot of people see that word as negative or giving up but I very much see it differently and it has helped me in so many ways, surrender and "feel" my feelings, surrender and allow God's will, surrender to peace. This year though, a friend (I'm looking at you @lmccandless) helped me see that I may have surrendered a little too much to one past experience in particular. A few years ago I was bullied in the most humiliating, hurtful way, this person openly defamed the most sacred truths I hold about myself. The shame of it all kept me silent and afraid, without even realizing I was doing it until recently.

It was eye-opening to see how much power I had given this experience and that I had started to own the terrible lies she told me. So today I celebrate my final day with my 2017 word "surrender" by sharing this experience for the first time ever and shouting to the world that I'm here, I'm not afraid and I belong. I am excited to make The Lilypad my home, excited to get to know each of you and of course excited to share that my word for 2018 is BELIEVE. Because I believe that the world is good and most of the people in it are even better and that life should be lived to the fullest without being held hostage by the past.
Click to expand...

@Tangie Baxter , I am so sorry for what you went through and it hurts my heart to read these opening words. Then it is a balm to my heart to read your revelation that there is so much good in people. And more importantly that God is good (you may not have explicitly said that but I'm adding it). Because He is. And He is sovereign. And He is healing you. And you are here in this community at this time for a reason. Big hugs to you, sweet lady! You are a special and talented and gifted and awesome woman. And you are loved.
 
Back
Top