This will be my second time jumping on the “word for the year” bandwagon, as it was such a positive experience in 2018.

(You can find out about my word for 2018, here.)

The idea is that  your word for the year becomes your guide, something you can focus on to help build a life you love.

Choosing just one word can be a serious challenge – there are so many words in the English language to choose from! Some people create mood boards, others brainstorm onto a piece of butcher’s paper, or you can even do a quiz or a workshop online. Me? I just let the one word idea simmer in my subconscious throughout late December and early January, confident that the right one will reveal itself when it’s ready.

And sure enough it did … but would you believe, once again my initial reaction was resistance. Maybe that’s one way we can become aware of the “right” word for us?!

Introducing my one little word for 2019 (apologies to American readers, we spell it a little differently here in Australia):

COLOUR

At first it seemed like a very strange choice.

But once again, the more I mulled it over, the more excited I became about the potential for more colour in my life in 2019!

Random Thoughts About Colour

Perhaps this word rose up in my consciousness, because our “camping at home” situation means that we are currently living with the basics only – and one of the things that I am missing the most, is colour. We’ve had the house repainted (pale grey) and re-carpeted (in charcoal) so it’s a blank canvas waiting for those personal touches – and I can’t tell you how much I’m longing to welcome some colour into our home!

Fact is, colour makes my heart sing 🙂 . I’m a very visual person.

Something that’s colourful is lively, interesting, fresh and fun, whether we are talking about personalities, ice cream, writing, fashion or hairstyles. It’s memorable, it stands out and attracts attention. It’s imaginative and playful.

Colour thumbs its nose at drab and boring. Colour has joy, an eagerness and zest for life, and seizes the moment. It’s about taking risks, and is not afraid to turn its back on the safe, standard or expected. No, colour is ready to try out new things and experiment a little. It’s expressive and enthusiastic, contagious and cheery – I’d love to spread it around!

When we colour a picture, it can be a very mindful activity: a way to exist in the moment with openness, curiosity and flexibly focused attention.

Having been through the grey fog of living with depression, colour is also very symbolic of mental health and wellbeing to me.

A final thought: colours don’t exist in the dark. In order to see and appreciate colour, there needs to be light (I think there’s something in that for all of us, don’t you?!)!

I’m not sure how “colour” will manifest in my life in 2019. It could be something as simple as a new lipstick … or maybe I’ll go dramatic and dye my hair an unusual colour … whatever it is, I have a feeling it will surprise me!

What are your thoughts on my word for the year? And if you’ve jumped on the bandwagon as well, tell me what word you’ve chosen or are leaning towards!