My Word for 2018*

I have made New Years Resolutions since before I could remember. I’m the best at thinking hard about  them, writing them all out, and going full-out to achieve them… for about three weeks. Then they tend to be pushed aside or forgotten until it’s time to make new resolutions the following year and I resolve to be even better at the resolutions I failed at.

(vicious, vicious cycle.)

Last year I went a different route and tried something new. Instead of making a list of resolutions, I chose one word that would be my goal for the year… and I tried to incorporate it into my daily life.

My word for 2017 was Brave.

For the first time, I really feel like I achieved most of the things I wanted to accomplish surrounding this word. In the last year, I:

–stepped out of my comfort zone and met new people by joining a new book club
–joined a community choir
–completed my History Specialist course
–opened up and shared my experiences with Post Partum Anxiety
–intervened in a dispute outside my home and helped a young girl get to safety
–sang a solo at church
–stopped eating (most) sugar
–started my own Lipsense business
–spoke at Stake Conference in front of a large audience

…and a bunch of other things I’m sure I’m not remembering. Having one word as my goal for the year made me feel so much more focused… it was always there at the back of my mind, and that helped me try a few things I might not have otherwise been “brave” enough to do.

I’ve been thinking hard about my word for 2018… and after much deliberation (seriously), this word popped into my mind and just felt right.

My word for 2018 is Strengthen.

For me, this encompasses some of the things I would really like to work on in the next year. I want to strengthen…

—my body. I’ve struggled with back / hip issues for the last 18 months, and I am finally, finally seeing some progress. Now that the constant discomfort is gone, I want to strengthen my body and not feel so broken anymore. I feel ready to run again!
—my talents. More than anything, I miss writing and the piano.
—my confidence.
—my health. I just passed the one month mark of no sugar, and I’ve already lost 7.5lbs. I want to keep eating better and get this body back on track!
—my friendships.
—my skills as a teacher. (My English Specialist starts on January 22nd!)
—my faith.
—my relationships with my siblings.
—my family and marriage. <3

I think I’m going to keep Brave as a second word, as there is still one or two things I want to do that I keep chickening out of. I’m going to make myself do them before my next birthday!

Have you thought about what your word for 2018 will be? I would love to hear it!