I have a love/hate relationship with the “One Word” tradition. I usually don’t chose the words, they just “come to me”. I know that sounds weird. But I usually think of a word and dismiss it for various reasons, only to find out that it actually was a really good word for that year. Like “relax” for 2018, which was such a stressful year, “home” for 2019, when we moved to Curaçao and struggled to settle down. In 2020 my word was “accept” and I knew from the start that there would be a lot accepting to do, because my mom was dying from cancer. But little did I know there would be so much more to accept that year.
The word I can’t shake off this time is “heal”. And yes, that is very fitting. I have a lot of healing to do. Physically, mentally and emotionally.
I know the next step is to come up with a complete list of tangible goals related to the word, but I have a really hard time doing that. Is it even possible to really grasp what it means to be healed? And how do I turn that vague idea into actions and steps I can take to reach that state? Also, I don’t think that’s how the One Word thing works for me. It’s just a reminder of something I need to focus on.
So, I tossed the list I started (that is an ongoing theme in my life – I love making lists, but sometimes it’s way better to toss them) and just try to stop and wonder if something I’m doing or want to do is actually helping me to heal or the opposite.
So, here we are. I wanted to share my word, but I don’t really have anything to say about it. Yet. Maybe I’ll share more later in the year.
Do you have a word for 2023?
NOT A STATION 
Having that word in mind will hopefully help you slow down and remember what’s important this year. I didn’t have a word last year, but it turned out “heal” was it. This year I’ve chosen “voice”. It’s my way of reminding myself to look inward to find my own voice.
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I hope it will. “Voice” is a wonderful word too.
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I don’t really understand the One Word thing. I’m seeing a lot of bloggers apparently do it though. I did try the Ali Edwards ‘One Little Word’ program several years ago but never managed to do anything with it because I just didn’t understand the whole idea.
I’m curious about all you folks who do this and how it works for you, but I don’t think it’s something I could get into.
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Oh, I don’t think there’s actually a right way to do it, but for me it’s a more mindful way to start the new year than making the same resolutions over and over. So this year is “heal”. That still means I want to eat right, lose weight, move more, have less screentime etc. But knowing I want to do this because I want to heal helps me to stay focused.
I started doing this with the workbook Susanna Conway publishes on her website for free each year, maybe you want to look into that (susannaconway.com). It is helpful and therapeutical to work through it. It’s also a whole lot of work to fill that in though, so I don’t do that anymore.
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I will check that out. Thanks!
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I never pick a word for the year but this year the word abundance has been speaking to me so I am going with it!
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Oh, that’s a good one too!
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