Word of the Year
Happy New Year! You guys, 2017 is going to be our best year yet and I’m so excited about that for us!
We had a big fish fry with family at my Granny’s yesterday and it was a lot of fun. I don’t know if it’s a Southern thing or a superstitious thing but they’re all really big on the notion, “Whatever you’re doing on New Year’s Day you’ll be doing all year.” So, my mom has this non-negotiable rule if you’re not in a different state or traveling, you’re celebrating the New Year with family. We’ve never wavered from this idea the entire time I’ve been on the planet and I can honestly say I speak to my parents, aunts, sisters, uncles and cousins all the time.
Last week, I mentioned for the past few years I’ve chosen a “word of the year.” It’s a one-word reminder of the goals that I’m working towards and the values I want to live by. When I first started the blog I chose “BELIEVE” because at the time I was a therapist with no idea what it was like to run a blog. I just knew in the deepest part of my soul I needed a creative outlet.
The very next year I chose “COMMITTED” because I found out how much time, effort, resources and energy it takes to run a blog and a be a vendor. it.was.so.hard. I don’t know what I was thinking having 3 different booth spaces in 3 different cities none of which were in the city that I actually lived, PLUS, run a blog full time. It was totally chaotic and I wanted to give up every quarter!
Last year, I chose “INTENTION” because I knew I needed to be more intentional about how I ran the business, the amount of time I spent with my family and the “best gifts” I chose to put out into the world. It was the year that changed me the most.
It was just a few weeks before we were leaving for the cabin last Fall when I chose a word of the year for 2017. This year is a milestone birthday year and at the time I was seriously struggling with it. Read: a daily deluge of thoughts like, “this is not where I thought I would be” and “I thought by the time I was this age, I would be XXXXX” and “I swear I’m getting a muffin top, wrinkles and the other day I saw the tiniest streak of silver in the midst of all these auburn curls!”
It was bananas. No wonder I was struggling with ridiculous self-talk like that!
Anyway, we were all sitting around talking about what we wanted to accomplish for the rest of 2016 and into 2017. I had the calendar open, twiddling a pencil through my fingers when I said, “I’m open.”
The reaction from my bestie S was pretty priceless. “You are?” followed by a quick pause and a, “I’ve never even heard you say that before.”
It was true. I’m a big, big, big time planner, almost always organized in everything I do and just thinking about change gives me sweaty palms sometimes. Looking back, I can see how this idea would have her thrown her off a bit.
As we continued to discuss future goals and plans, I knew I had found my word of the year for 2017. These are my two favorite definitions of the word open…
”move or adjust (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and view.”
”unfold or be unfolded; spread out.”
It took a few weeks I’m not even going to lie but I’ve finally embraced this milestone birthday year. I’ve realized over the past few months, I can be a planner AND open to change because they’re not mutually exclusive. I’ve also realized after talking to many generous women of all ages no one is where they thought they would be at XX age. And yet, they’re all still learning new things, trying to better themselves and loving the people in their lives without conditions.
As we embark on 2017, I hope you’ll find a word of the year, phrase, scripture, vision board or journal to help you fully embrace your heart’s desire this year. By giving yourself a visual reminder or verbal cue whether you’re in the midst of victory celebrations or in the valleys of doubt that “one word” can quietly offer the courage to fully live out the adventures of 2017.
It’s going to be our best year yet, I feel it!
You with me?
See you guys back here tomorrow. Hurricane Matthew derailed a few of our end of the year projects in 2016 so we’re even more ready to tackle our home goals for 2017! I’ll share them with you tomorrow. Until then, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Great post, CoCo! I chose “practice being patient” for my words of the year. I’m hoping it makes me a little gentler so we’ll see how that works out. Happy New Year1
Yes, Bonnie, that is a great sentiment! I need to make that into a little sign and hang it in my office 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
These photos are stunning! I chose confident for my word of the year because being a mom, having friends and making time for my husband is overwhelming. I don’t want to be perfect by any means but more confident would definitely be nice. I’m excited about 2017 too, Sarah
Sarah, that is a fabulous word for 2017! I know you have a lot on your plate. I believe in you too! Cheers to all that 2017 has to offer. Hugs, CoCo
Hey CoCo – we too are embracing 2017 and all that this New Year has to offer. We know that you are “open” and we can’t wait to see where your inspiration takes you. PS – you’re magnificent…no matter your age! Cheers to this being our best year yet. We love you dear friend. Happy New Year!
You guys are the best, thanks ladies! I’m so pumped for 2017 too. We are going to R-O-C-K in the U-S-A 🙂 Love you back SO much, CoCo
Open is a great word! Don’t let those milestone birthdays slow you down. I’m 53 and have learned that it’s all in how you look at it and in how you live. 🙂
I really appreciate you, Stacey! I was definitely struggling there for a hot minute in October but I’m just a few weeks away from 4-0 and I feel ready to tackle whatever comes my way. You are right, it’s all in how you live and we are going to have so much fun in 2017 sweet friend 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I really like the idea of a “word for the year!” I like the other words you chose as well. I have a perpetual calendar with some lovely sayings for each day, but a word for the year is something I really want to consider. Thanks so much for the idea!
Thank you, Linda! It’s been fun to choose a different word over the past few years and to see the progress made from January to December. I know 2017 is going to be a fun adventure and I can’t wait to hear what word you choose. Hope your day is a happy one. Big hugs, CoCo
I picked the word “flourish” after reading an article sent to me about just that!
In case anyone else might want to read it: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/31/choose-flourish-as-your-word-for-2017.html
Hope it is allowed to publish links!
This is a fabulous article, Linda, thanks so much for sharing it with us. I would have never even thought to use the word “flourish” but after reading this post I’m so excited for you now. Big hugs, CoCo