Every January, I see a spate of posts on blogs, Facebook and the like, about choosing a word for the year.
In case you’re not familiar with the concept, the idea is to choose just “one word” as your intention for the new year.
It’s meant to help with focus – like a New Year’s Resolution, minimalist style. It aims to provide the individual with inspiration, motivation, and encouragement for the next 12 months.
Although choosing just one word might seem all too easy, the reality is somewhat different. Have you ever tried to encapsulate all your hopes, dreams and desires for the year ahead, in just one word?
My First Attempt at a Word for the Year
There are even websites with guides to help you choose your word, or connect with others who have chosen the same word this year.
I’ve never done it before, but was so intrigued that over the Christmas break I mulled it over to see if a word – any word – leapt out at me.
And guess what? I *did* have a word come to mind. But at first I was hesitant to embrace it because here’s the thing: I didn’t really like it!
It just seemed a bit, well, boring!
So what is my word for the year?
BREATHE.
Really? Is that the best I could do?!
Breathing. It’s something we all do, thousands of time every day, without even thinking about it.
But as I wrestled with my word for the year, the more meaningful the word “Breathe” seemed to be for me personally.
I’m going to breathe through 2018.
Why? Because when I focus on breathing:
- It reminds me I am alive. What a precious gift life is!
- It has benefits for my physical health – such as lowering my heart rate.
- It will help me find peace, calm, strength and patience, those times when I am flustered, stressed, overworked or annoyed.
- It will help me through any physical pain (after all, isn’t that what we women are encouraged to do when we are in labour?). Not that pain is part of my plan for 2018, but I do need to have a BCC removed, and to visit the dentist!
- It will help me to be more mindful – noticing my body and the world around it, living in the present moment, appreciating the little things.
Random Thoughts on Breathing
Think about the process of breathing. We inhale; and then we exhale.
This year, I want to breathe in what is good and nurturing; and then I want to breathe the same, on those around me.
Breathing reminds me that if I want to give out to others (exhale), first I must “take in” myself (inhale).
When we open a bottle of wine, we let it “breathe” – expose it to the open air. I need more of that in my life (the open air that is, not the wine 😉 ).
Perhaps I could take a yoga class, as a way of improving the way I breathe.
Breathe – it’s essential for life.
Maybe it’s not such a bad word for the year after all.
Have you ever joined the “word for the year” bandwagon – and how did it go?
Vanessa says
This year I don’t feel like I want to be defined by a word at all! In the past they’ve worked for me in varying degrees of success.
Ness says
I like your word and take on it. I chose compassion, because I need to be kinder to myself. And that way if I fail I can still be compassionate about my failure… Or something…
Anyway at least I didn’t choose the word cake! ?
Leanne says
I’m a great believer in word of the year – I gave up on new year’s resolutions a long time ago because they just set me up to fail. A word is easy – it reminds me occasionally to look back at why I chose it and to see if I’m tracking along in the direction I intended to be going in. I also like the fact they’re fairly vague so I can adapt it as I go along without having to throw it in the bin. BTW my word was RISE for 2018 (mine was RISE – and I’m using it as inspiration to have a great 2018 after a fairly ordinary 2017. (http://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2018/01/my-word-for-2018-rise.html)
Donna says
Hi, Janet – I think that ‘breathe’ is an excellent word. I love the definition that you provided.
I also definitely recommend that yoga class. Yoga is all about breathing, being mindful and nourishing ourselves from the inside out.
Janet Camilleri says
I know I really MUST do it. I noticed there is a Tuesday evening class being held in a community hall near me that looks like my kind of yoga. Will Google it now!
Christine says
Janet – breathe is a good word, I think. I’ve been guilty of holding my breath, which is not a good thing. As well, in meditation practice you are supposed to focus on your breath as a means to calm your mind.
I’ve done this before and the words I can remember are, ‘brave’ and in 2016, ‘freedom’. That was the year I quit my job and retired from my first career. So that was a big one!
Cheers,
-CW at DailyCreatives
Janet Camilleri says
Love it! I like that you can still remember your previous words because they were obviously very meaningful for you!