A 2012 recap will be forthcoming, but first, let's look forward to 2013!
Last year, we kind of made resolutions, which I did find useful even if I was only somewhat successful with them. Last year, I also came upon another resolution-ish concept I quite liked- the Word of the Year approach, which I found out about from Erin Bowman and Katy Upperman.
Jessica Cora had the original idea, and basically, instead of making numbered resolutions, you pick ONE WORD to guide you throughout the year. It is your attitude, your goals, your touchstone for your life.
So in honor of the change a New Year may bring, I'm going to pick a Word of the Year instead of making resolutions. My word for 2013 is PRESENT.
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| Took this pic of a puddle in a parking lot! |
I found a lot of 2012 exhausting despite it also being a lot of fun. But I think I ran myself a little dry. I used my downtime to schedule and plan and worry about ALL THE THINGS, and even when I was enjoying the moment, there were things fluttering around in the back of my mind. And as I settled into my mid-20s, the Quarterlife Crisis became less funny and more crisis-y.
It was hard for me to just be in the now and enjoy and appreciate things as they were. It was hard for me to be present.
On Dec. 31, as I was vaguely pondering what my first blog post for 2013 would be, I had a conversation with Sophia that had nothing to do with blogging, writing, or even reading, but she talked about being present and about being present with yourself and with other people. And it didn't really sink in at the time (since I was munching on cookies & freezing on the couch), but I realized afterward that presence was what I'd been missing. Talk about the universe sending me a sign, right?
And I often think of Loki, whom I dedicate time to every night for walks and playing, even though it cuts into my own relaxation time. Sometimes, I'm so tired I want to skip this routine, but then when I go out there, he is present for me and enjoys the time we spend together. This is a lesson I could learn.
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| He is really good at the "shake hands" trick. |
Here's to having a mindful, present 2013!
Q4U: What is your Word of the Year?
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10 comments:
That is such a fantastic idea! A one word resolution? Brilliant.
And as I struggle with being present too, I may have to borrow your word this year :)
Good luck and Happy New Year!
I really like your word: Present.
It can mean so many things at once and all of them equally powerful.
If I had to choose a word for 2013 it would be : Patience
I ran out and can seriously use more.
I wish you all the best. :)
~Akoss
I've always suffered from "it'll be better when" syndrome and always looking to what might happen, or what I want to happen down the road. I think your focus word is such a good one. :)
I think my word is Breathe. I work myself up a lot about the goals I have or the tasks in front of me. I have to remember to slow down and breathe through them.
I love the concept of one word resolutions!
I think this year mine is going to be: courage.
Because I want to write the things that scare me, and I think that takes courage to do. Also trying new things and self-expression.
Onwards!
I love your word for 2013. Being present is definitely something I need to be more mindful of.
I don't have a word, as such, for 2013. But I'd have to say it's HABIT. There's a quote that goes along the line of: "We are what we repeatedly do." So I'm hoping to adopt one habit a month. For January, it's to write everyday. :)
I love the one word resolution. Being present is definitely something I could do better at. This year my resolution is commitment - commitment to being a writer and commitment to finishing projects. Happy new year! :)
I love your word, and I especially love the accompanying images. PRESENT is a fantastic word, and one I try to keep in mind especially when it comes to my family. I don't want to be distracted when I'm spending time with them; I want to be present and able to cherish each little moment. Happy New Year!
Love this idea! Can I steal Present? Because I did kinda mention that on my blog post too.
Happy New Year!
Wow. I was so touched and moved and in disbelief that something I said in passing stuck with you so deeply. I'm really really happy to hear that and I was actually on the phone with the person I was talking about when I read your post and I read it out loud. A was also really glad to be a part of this concept and we exclaimed over how this philosophy just takes over and makes its way around.
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