One Little Word?

[Sherri Tierney]

Does anyone still do this? I don't necessarily mean do the OLW workshop or anything, I just mean choose a word for the year to focus on instead of a list of resolutions for the New Year.

I chose my first word in 2010. I've picked on every year since and while not every year is earth shattering, some years I find I am really shocked at how well it works for me to have just ONE thing to focus on, even if that one word is overarching and can umbrella across several categories. My previous words are below.

For 2023, I am thinking about the word consistent (or some version of it). Does anyone have an idea of a kit that would work to scrap this word? It will be one of those overarching words for me. I need to be consistent in so many areas. I try great things that I love but don't stick with them and then I don't see the results I would like.


Previous Years' Words - (to see if I could remember them all!)
2010 - Change
2011 - Simplify
2012 - Achieve
2013 - Intention
2014 - Balance
2015 - Nurture
2016 - Adventure
2017 - Shine
2018 - Today
2019 - Transform
2020 - Fearless
2021 - Strong
2022 - Focus

[bienejen]

It's not perfect but maybe this would work:

[LJSDesigns]

I pick a word every year and just like you, I do better with some than with others. I am thinking about "focus" for this year. I've noticed that I am more scattered and distracted than ever, so improving my focus in all areas would be very helpful.

[Stefanie]

I am leaning towards JOY this year.
To be intentional about finding the good and sparking delight.

[Kiana]

I don't pick a word ...I think I tried one year.

I think consistent is a good word.
I'd think any of the "Note to Self" collabs from KCB and Studio Basic would allow you to scrap that in some form.

[knittingbec]

I have probably chosen a word or two over the years but never really stuck to focusing on it.

After reading your post, the first word that came to me was “embrace” and I’m still thinking about it today, so maybe that’s my word!
2023 will bring a lot of changes- either “small” like moving to a new base, or big like my husband might retire from the military and we’ll move and start a new and unfamiliar chapter. After months of emotionally exhausting discussions, debates & speculation, shifting my focus to “accepting or supporting willingly and enthusiastically” would probably be healthy and I think it would be a beneficial word to focus on in everyday life as well.

[craftytam]

I've picked a word off and on since 2014, I think. But, I've never really put much emphasis on it. This year I decided that I'm going to use my word to organize my goals around. I tend to be a thinker and less of a doer because I get overwhelmed.

My word this year is steps. So taking steps to reach my goals.

[LeeAndra]

I lost one of my best friends in a tragic car accident 3 weeks ago and so my word --- yield --- will honor her.

2023 is going to be filled with lots of big changes & events -- my fiance & his children moving in with me & mine and working on being a blended family, my fiance starting a new job, our two oldest starting high school, our wedding & our honeymoon -- and I am an anxiety-riddled control freak, to put it nicely, who spent most of her adult life trying to hold things together and keep things moving. It would be so nice & healthy & mature for me to allow my fiance, as well as others and circumstances in general, to make decisions and to recognize that my choices and my decisions are not always the best (or only) ones.

I don't like the implications of "surrender" which, to me, feels like allowing everyone and everything control. "Yield" feels more like I still retain my autonomy even when I make space for other things. My friend was the one who would have talked me down if I found myself panicking a few months from now over a wedding "crisis" or a blended family issue so since she can't, I am going to try to do it myself in a way.

[jaye]

I have picked words but then never did anything with them. I really want to do something with one this year and am debating on ‘change’, ‘focus’ and ‘challenge’

[Sherri Tierney]

Originally Posted by LJSDesigns

I pick a word every year and just like you, I do better with some than with others. I am thinking about "focus" for this year. I've noticed that I am more scattered and distracted than ever, so improving my focus in all areas would be very helpful.

The word was super helpful for me this year. I chose it because I needed to buckle down, finish my last semester of college, pass my Praxis exams, find a teaching position, and then focus on how I can do my best for my students. I can't say I'm less distracted, but I do prioritize things a lot better.

Originally Posted by Stefanie

I am leaning towards JOY this year.
To be intentional about finding the good and sparking delight.

I like JOY. I have considered it for my word nearly every year (and I have a canvas I made hanging up in my hallway that says joy) but I always go a different direction. It's kind of like my honorary secondary word.

Originally Posted by Kiana

I don't pick a word ...I think I tried one year.

I think consistent is a good word.
I'd think any of the "Note to Self" collabs from KCB and Studio Basic would allow you to scrap that in some form.

That's how I was with resolutions. I tried a time or two and gave up. The word helps me hone in on things. Thanks for the suggestion!

Originally Posted by knittingbec

I have probably chosen a word or two over the years but never really stuck to focusing on it.

After reading your post, the first word that came to me was “embrace” and I’m still thinking about it today, so maybe that’s my word!
2023 will bring a lot of changes- either “small” like moving to a new base, or big like my husband might retire from the military and we’ll move and start a new and unfamiliar chapter. After months of emotionally exhausting discussions, debates & speculation, shifting my focus to “accepting or supporting willingly and enthusiastically” would probably be healthy and I think it would be a beneficial word to focus on in everyday life as well.

Sounds like a lot of changes to embrace!

Originally Posted by craftytam

I've picked a word off and on since 2014, I think. But, I've never really put much emphasis on it. This year I decided that I'm going to use my word to organize my goals around. I tend to be a thinker and less of a doer because I get overwhelmed.

My word this year is steps. So taking steps to reach my goals.

I am also more a thinker and less a doer. I have great ideas and I start things and then lose sight of them. That is why I've chosen consistent (or consistency) for myself this year. I need to stick with those things I start. Steps is a great word too, and I considered 'baby steps' but I want to stick to a word instead of a phrase.

Originally Posted by LeeAndra

I lost one of my best friends in a tragic car accident 3 weeks ago and so my word --- yield --- will honor her.

2023 is going to be filled with lots of big changes & events -- my fiance & his children moving in with me & mine and working on being a blended family, my fiance starting a new job, our two oldest starting high school, our wedding & our honeymoon -- and I am an anxiety-riddled control freak, to put it nicely, who spent most of her adult life trying to hold things together and keep things moving. It would be so nice & healthy & mature for me to allow my fiance, as well as others and circumstances in general, to make decisions and to recognize that my choices and my decisions are not always the best (or only) ones.

I don't like the implications of "surrender" which, to me, feels like allowing everyone and everything control. "Yield" feels more like I still retain my autonomy even when I make space for other things. My friend was the one who would have talked me down if I found myself panicking a few months from now over a wedding "crisis" or a blended family issue so since she can't, I am going to try to do it myself in a way.

What a great way to honor your friend. You definitely have a lot of changes coming your way. I agree with yield over surrender. I like that control as well.

Originally Posted by jaye

I have picked words but then never did anything with them. I really want to do something with one this year and am debating on ‘change’, ‘focus’ and ‘challenge’

Challenge is another good one! Change was the most powerful one for me to date, with Strong being a close second!

[Sherri Tierney]

One thing I've done to really put emphasis on my word each year is to either make or buy something for my home, or for me personally, that has to do with my word of the year.

The first year I made a mouse pad. I used my computer a LOT and having a mousepad that said "Change" on it kept me focused on my goals of not only accepting change but learning to welcome and embrace it. As the year progressed, I put my word up on a chalkboard that hung on my office door, and I made a calendar with the word incorporated into every page.

Each year it has been something different that I've done. For simplify I had a red, wooden house figure with a willow tree that said simplify. We lived in a red house on Willow and it was perfect for the year. For achieve I have metal letters that spell out the word (found them on eBay that year). I've also made a Facebook cover photo most years. When I started I made a photo for the side of my feed, since Facebook didn't have cover photos then. The year that my word was STRONG, I plastered that word everywhere. I bought a shirt that says 'Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow'. I also got a bracelet that says the same. Then I found a 'Stronger than Yesterday' bracelet and bought that too. Last year I bought a desk plaque that says "FOCUS" off of Amazon. Then I bought an embracelets bracelet that says "focused on family".

I am looking for something to purchase with my word for this year. I am thinking of making some art and buying a custom necklace. I already have this great plaque that says "This month's choices are next month's results" and I think that plays well into consistency too!

[angiekey]

Sherri, I have a few kit suggestions that might work for chronicling your word this year. They're not specifically themed on the word "consistent" or "consistency", but I think they might work:

[angiekey]

I am a huge fan of choosing a word for the year rather than making resolutions. Resolutions always made me feel like I was making a list of all the ways I sucked and the things I needed to fix. When I failed to achieve them, it only made me feel worse about myself.

Having a word feels more like I'm choosing a theme for my year. It's something positive, and even if it is going to result in me changing things in my life, it fees like it's being driven from a place of self-love rather than self-hatred.

This will be the 10th year I've chosen One Little Word since 2008. My previous words have been:
2008 - balance
2009 - invest
2010 - health
2011 - listen
2012 - resolve
2013 - vital
2014 - motion
2015 - cultivate
2019 - awake

I've had the most success when the word I've chosen manifests itself in my life in multiple ways - invest, for example, was about investing time in my relationships, being better about saving money so I could invest in my future, investing both time and money to improve my skills in photography, and investing time and thought into caring for my body. It truly became a theme for my year.

This year, I think I might go with the word present. It's about being present, both physically and mentally. Giving presents, like a gift or a donation. What presents in my physical self, from a medical standpoint. Focusing on how I'm presenting myself appearance-wise.

Unfortunately, "present" doesn't encapsulate everything I'm wanting for this year, so I'm not completely sold on it yet. What I really want is an antonym for the word inertia. Inertia is my #1 challenge in every area of my life; but I can't find an antonym I really like. Action, activity, animation, life, liveliness, moving, vitality, vigor ... none of them are completely the opposite of "inertness, especially with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness; the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force."

Consistency is such a great word, Sherri - it's been one of my top contenders for years. And I completely agree with what you said about having your word visible in your environment - it makes such a difference! In the past, I've bought a ring with my word engraved on the top so I could see it all the time, I've made artwork and hung it within my eyeline at the office, and the year I chose CULTIVATE I made a 16x20 piece of art that read "what will you CULTIVATE today?" and hung it on my bedroom wall so it was the first thing I saw each morning. Those years I was much more successful in keeping my word in mind and allowing it to be the theme of my year.

I would love to see what you wind up creating for your word this year! Please be sure to come back and share it with us.

[jaye]

Originally Posted by Sherri Tierney

One thing I've done to really put emphasis on my word each year is to either make or buy something for my home, or for me personally, that has to do with my word of the year.

The first year I made a mouse pad. I used my computer a LOT and having a mousepad that said "Change" on it kept me focused on my goals of not only accepting change but learning to welcome and embrace it. As the year progressed, I put my word up on a chalkboard that hung on my office door, and I made a calendar with the word incorporated into every page.

Each year it has been something different that I've done. For simplify I had a red, wooden house figure with a willow tree that said simplify. We lived in a red house on Willow and it was perfect for the year. For achieve I have metal letters that spell out the word (found them on eBay that year). I've also made a Facebook cover photo most years. When I started I made a photo for the side of my feed, since Facebook didn't have cover photos then. The year that my word was STRONG, I plastered that word everywhere. I bought a shirt that says 'Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow'. I also got a bracelet that says the same. Then I found a 'Stronger than Yesterday' bracelet and bought that too. Last year I bought a desk plaque that says "FOCUS" off of Amazon. Then I bought an embracelets bracelet that says "focused on family".

I am looking for something to purchase with my word for this year. I am thinking of making some art and buying a custom necklace. I already have this great plaque that says "This month's choices are next month's results" and I think that plays well into consistency too!

Sherri I love those ideas and how you made your word yours by incorporating it physically into your daily life!

Interestingly I made a cell phone case for myself that says focus and has a camera that covers the apple logo. . . .maybe my word has picked me after all?

[lovely1m]

I am going with "grace" this year. I tend to be a perfectionist and I want to try to give myself and my loved ones some grace this year and not be perfect to understand more and allow us to be human.

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by LeeAndra

I lost one of my best friends in a tragic car accident 3 weeks ago and so my word --- yield --- will honor her.

I'm so sorry, LeeAndra!

Originally Posted by angiekey

Unfortunately, "present" doesn't encapsulate everything I'm wanting for this year, so I'm not completely sold on it yet. What I really want is an antonym for the word inertia. Inertia is my #1 challenge in every area of my life; but I can't find an antonym I really like. Action, activity, animation, life, liveliness, moving, vitality, vigor ... none of them are completely the opposite of "inertness, especially with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness; the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force."

I don't know if this captures what you want either, but I think of momentum as the opposite of inertia.

[LJSDesigns]

Originally Posted by angiekey

Unfortunately, "present" doesn't encapsulate everything I'm wanting for this year, so I'm not completely sold on it yet. What I really want is an antonym for the word inertia. Inertia is my #1 challenge in every area of my life; but I can't find an antonym I really like. Action, activity, animation, life, liveliness, moving, vitality, vigor ... none of them are completely the opposite of "inertness, especially with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness; the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force."

Not sure it is helpful, but when I read what you wrote above, the first word that popped in my mind was "live." It sounds like the things you want to improve on mean living more fully, so "live" might cover the entire spectrum.

My last word I did well with was "mindful." I wanted to be more present, aware and connected to the things I was doing, the choices I was making, etc. To provide a daily reminder of that, I got this simple bracelet from esty.



I liked that it was simple, small and that the word was harder for others to see, because my little word is for me. Also, I liked the price. LOL

[hollyxann]

I was just thinking about OLW for 2023 and I keep coming back to "RENEW".
I feel like my life has kinda been chaos for a few years now and I've lost track of things I enjoy and even myself. So I'm thinking renew might be my word this year. I also keep thinking about balance and trying to find my balance again as well as grace. Giving myself grace to just be, and go with the flow and know that it will eventually even out. So I may need to choose 2. UGH I can never decide.

[angiekey]

Originally Posted by rach3975

I'm so sorry, LeeAndra!



I don't know if this captures what you want either, but I think of momentum as the opposite of inertia.

OMG - that’s it! Thank you thank you thank you!

[SweetChar]

A Bible study book I started reading about a week ago has a lot to say about the renewal of your mind. It got me thinking about "renew" for my 2023 word. There are a lot of aspects of my life that need renewing of focus, intention, commitment, enthusiasm, etc. I feel it all starts, though, with a daily renewing of my mind by spending time in God's Word.




I made a new siggy, too. (The last one was a Christmas one, anyway.) Now, I'll be reminded each time I post something. lol

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by angiekey

OMG - that’s it! Thank you thank you thank you!

Yeah! Glad I could help!

[Kimberly27]

I have never done this before but we have had a tough 2022 and 2023 doesn't look any better. God placed the word Magnify on my heart yesterday. Magnify God in all situations....I need to research and expand on the idea...

[craftytam]

Originally Posted by Kimberly27

I have never done this before but we have had a tough 2022 and 2023 doesn't look any better. God placed the word Magnify on my heart yesterday. Magnify God in all situations....I need to research and expand on the idea...

I'm so sorry last year was tough. I really hope that this year is much better!

[HavaDrPepper]

I've never done one little word but there is a word that is special to me this year. Faith.

My church has disaffiliated from the United Methodist Conference and is in a period of discernment to figure out the next steps for the congregation. Faith will be needed that we get through this.

[Lidia G]

My word this year is seize. Seize the day, the hour, the minute, the moment. It seems that the older I get, the faster time zooms by. I remember when I was a little girl and a day seemed so long. Now a day is gone in a flash!

[Sherri Tierney]

After choosing the word consistent for 2023, I've found it has come up SO many times in books, podcasts, and in a professional development workshop. Crazy! I still need to create a layout for my word this year.

[Kimberly27]

I have never done this BUT God put it on my heart to use the word magnify this year. We found out over Christmas that my mom has cancer. The dumb ER doc told her it was spread to her organs and was terminal...final stages. After seeing an oncologist and many, many prayers we found out it is only Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer. We are still worried but happier than what the ER doc said. She will have surgery to remove the ovaries and then chemo. I decided that I want to glorify and magnify God in every bit of this journey with her. As well as navigating 2 teenagers one who is 18 and graduated...oy!

[allyanne]

Originally Posted by Kimberly27

I have never done this BUT God put it on my heart to use the word magnify this year. We found out over Christmas that my mom has cancer. The dumb ER doc told her it was spread to her organs and was terminal...final stages. After seeing an oncologist and many, many prayers we found out it is only Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer. We are still worried but happier than what the ER doc said. She will have surgery to remove the ovaries and then chemo. I decided that I want to glorify and magnify God in every bit of this journey with her. As well as navigating 2 teenagers one who is 18 and graduated...oy!

Wow, Kimberly, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis, but I'm glad it's not as bad as the ER doctor made it sound! I will be praying for her and for you.

[craftytam]

Originally Posted by Kimberly27

I have never done this BUT God put it on my heart to use the word magnify this year. We found out over Christmas that my mom has cancer. The dumb ER doc told her it was spread to her organs and was terminal...final stages. After seeing an oncologist and many, many prayers we found out it is only Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer. We are still worried but happier than what the ER doc said. She will have surgery to remove the ovaries and then chemo. I decided that I want to glorify and magnify God in every bit of this journey with her. As well as navigating 2 teenagers one who is 18 and graduated...oy!

I'm so sorry that the ER doctor gave you a wrong diagnosis. Praying for your family!