Over the past few years, it’s become popular to choose a ‘word of the year’ as opposed to writing individual resolutions. Traditional New Year’s resolutions, while good, can be clunky and hard to remember. For the past few years, I created a few general goals each January and then broke those down into tasks that would help me attain them– that’s the ‘do-it’ list you can see in my sidebar. That’s been a great way to challenge myself, but focusing on a ‘word of the year’ simplifies everything. Things that are simple are more likely to get done, right? Having a mantra over the past year, just one word long, truly changed how I viewed things for the better.
Though I didn’t mention it on the blog, last year’s word was PAUSE. Stopping to appreciate each giggle, smile, pigtail, book, hug, and even each tear was amazing. Life moves so quickly, and pausing gave me time to savor many moments I would have forgotten or not fully appreciated.
My husband would say my word for 2013 should be NO. And while I agree one of my biggest problems is I say YES to just about everything (and therefore totally overextend myself), I think the word NO is a little too negative for my tastes. 😉 So the word that popped into my head for 2013 is NOW.
Why? I have a serious problem of not living in the NOW:
- I multitask. It’s ridiculous. I check Facebook (and also Twitter, email, and Instagram) while watching tv. Instead, I should focus on NOW and snuggle with my husband.
- I plan, plan, plan… and then, plan some more. Living spontaneously is really hard for me. I should live in the NOW and enjoy each moment instead of planning for the next one.
- I procrastinate, without purposely procrastinating. If I’m writing a card that needs an address, I’ll leave the card in a pile ‘to be addressed’. Instead, I need to get up NOW and check the freaking address. This scenario plays out dozens of times a day, in dozens of different situations. Imagine the time and energy I’d save by just doing it NOW!
What will living in the NOW earn me? I think it will help me (K)NOW. I’ll know more about my kids, my husband, my friends, myself. I’ll know more about living instead of planning for life. I’ll know more, because I’ll be able to get more done. Here’s hoping 2013 is a year full of NOW!
In case you’re wondering, one of the ways I’m blogging in the NOW is using Instagram more. I really fell in love with it over the past month because as the name implies it’s instant. Instead of snapping, uploading, browsing/deleting, editing, and inserting it to my post, taking photos with Instagram eliminates about 3 steps in that process. Proof of my commitment to NOW is using Instagram for the photos in this post. That’s right, I’m walkin’ the walk. And I promise it’s not a thinly veiled attempt to have you follow me on there, but if you do, I’d love you even more for it!
What’s your word of the year? And why?
PS- here’s a free ‘chalkboard’ background I made if you’d like to use it for your word of the year. Simply upload it to PicMonkey, write your word using the text feature, and crop if desired. Then you can even print it out to post somewhere as a reminder. If you create your word using it let me know, I’d love to see it!
I’m the same with the procrastinating…I hate that!!
I do love how you turned your *now* into *know* – awesome!
Not sure if I have a word this year…think I’m going with more of a slogan…”make it real, make it count” — along the lines of stop dreaming and start doing 🙂
FANTASTIC slogan! I’m a dreamer, too. You should see my list of things I want to do… and how many of I done? Nada!
My word is CALM!
Oh I love that! Especially with the exclamation point. It’s kind of like screaming SERENITY NOW, ha! I could really use some CALM in my life too, that’s for sure. Can I steal your word? 😉
Thanks for reminding me to do this. My word is faith.
You know, I need to have that as my word as well. Can I have two words? 😉
Great post, Carrie! I LOVE your word!!! I might just steal it…. 🙂
Oh Carrie, I love this!! You have such a great way of looking at things! And we are so much alike with the “to do” piles!the phrase that popped into my head this week is “Look for the good”. So my word for the year is “Good”. I’m thinking it means that I should stop worrying about what might go wrong down the road and focus on all that is good today. I think it also means to stop focusing on and waiting for “perfect” and start being happy with “good enough”!! 🙂
You and I both have paralyzing perfectionism in us, K. I agree, ‘good enough’ is the new perfect. So you can be GOOD and I’ll be NOW and we’ll really make 2013 a year of accomplishing things!
Hey Kelly, I’m trying to see if my new plugin works. Did this go to your email by any chance?
Steal away, friend! But not until I send you your birthday card, which I need to put in the mailbox NOW. (lol)
Love this post. My words for 2013 are ‘BLOG’ & ‘GO’!!
Goedele
Great words. Can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for you AND your blog!
I love this! I used the background to create a Facebook cover photo that way my commitment of losing 50lbs is there for me to see everyday! Thanks so much!
Leslie, that’s fantastic! So glad you were able to use the background. Wishing you lots of luck on your weight loss journey. I know you’ll do great!
That sounds like a great word for the new year Carrie. I wish you all the best in making it work for you and your family : )
Your kids are the cutest!
Thank you! As for the kids, I might have a teeny soft spot for those guys. 😉
Your blog is so refreshing and inspiring! I was on a blog break, but I am back with a new page. theheartofashley.blogspot.com. Have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks Ashley!! Can’t wait to check out your new blog!
I love your word. I’m a planner too. I don’t have a spontaneous bone in my body. I’m also a big procrastinator. 🙁
My word for 2013 is cherish. I want cherish my family, my friends and show love and kindness to others. Most of all cherish this difficult season of life because I know one day I’ll miss it like crazy.
Angee, I so agree about cherishing this season! As much as I’m looking forward to having them both in preschool 3 days a week next year I’m realizing that means they are getting bigger… and more independent… and gosh, I’m going to miss all these handprints and messes and sloppy kisses!!!
I think my word for the year will be space….a space & place for items in my home, the blog as a space to share musings & my children growing with family & friends afar, space between activities & events so we aren’t rushing through the day, week & year in a frenzy, space & special one on one time with each of my kids, husband as well as myself. Just space.
Space sounds very lovely right about now. Thanks for sharing, and I can’t wait to see how you find space in 2013!
I’ve got the same dilemmas about getting things taken care of too. One of my goals is to turn the computer and tv off each night and head upstairs to read and relax. I look forward to checking out your new 2013 to do list.
It is hard to turn off Facebook and Twitter at times, not to mention commenting on blog posts, as I sit here typing my comment in bed while watching the Beatles on BBC America.
Isn’t Instagram fun? I’m so happy they dropped the changes and listened to their users. I’m trying to use Instagram more to record the small daily moments in life, especially by following Steph’s challenges.
I choose a LOT of words for 2013: Release, Compassion, Dedication, and Discipline. I think I need to Instagram them!
ooohhhh I love your word.
My word for this year is “sponge”. I have very similar reasons for my words. I want to be a giant sponge this year and soak up as much time with my family as I can. I want to absorb every moment and retain it in my memory. I want to absorb as much knowledge as I can too. I want to learn all the things that I have been putting off. I am so pumped up about this year!
YES, Ginger, I totally get that feeling! Sponge is a perfect way to sum it up. Promise we’ll remind each other in, say, June?!
Now is a terrific word and I love all the reasons why it spoke to you. This is the first time I’ve had a word. Though it has only been a week, so far I have thought about my word and how it has fit in to every day.