I can’t remember ever making actual New Year’s resolutions. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made plenty of resolutions in my life (“My diet starts Monday!”), just never on the occasion of the new year. Resolutions in general tend to have a very short life – think of the crowded gym that gets progressively less crowded over the course of January. Resolutions in my particular life have been a mixed bag. I’m currently on a daily flossing streak that is unbroken since my last dentist appointment in October. I can’t wait until I sit in the hygienist’s chair and when she asks me if I floss I’ll respond, “Does it look like I floss?” I’m viewing it as a science experiment with the hypothesis, “Does daily flossing really make a difference?” But I digress.
As successful as my current flossing resolution has been, I’ve had many failed resolutions, mostly involving things that I will do “every day, no matter what!” Those types of resolutions fail, of course, because all you have to do is miss one day and then the temptation is to say, “Well, there goes that resolution (like all the others I’ve ever made). I may as well have this entire sleeve of Thin Mints.” Then you wave goodbye to the wagon as it rolls off into the sunset.
When 2020 appeared on the horizon I had no interest in making any resolutions, but a couple resolution alternatives presented themselves that I decided to try. The first is creating a one word theme for the year that encapsulates the direction in which I want my life to move during the year. This concept of choosing a yearly one word theme has been around for several years, but seems to be gaining more traction lately. The idea is that this theme will be like a mantra that will remind me of how I want to live, and create a mindset in which action toward that goal is more likely.
It didn’t take me long to come up with my theme for 2020. My word this year is “Create.”
“Create” has two different meanings for me. The first is the most obvious – I want to engage in some creative pursuits that I have been intending to start for a while. This blog! I’ve been wanting to start a blog for many years, probably since I first knew what a blog was. I would read all the most popular “mommy blogs” circa 2005 onward, during which time I was also a mommy of a young child. I loved the idea of sharing my writing within the mommy blogging community, but there was one sticking point – nearly all of those bloggers were also knitting sweaters for the whole family, growing their own organic produce, and living in either Portland, Maine or Portland, Oregon. I didn’t think I would quite fit in with that crafty crowd, but I did admire them. After that the idea of writing a blog sort of simmered on the back burner, mostly but not entirely forgotten.
In 2016 I started a Facebook group called “Nourish and Flourish.” There were about 40 members, all friends or friends-of-friends, and we all had a common interest in living a healthy, mindful life. Many of us were cancer survivors with a new perspective on how we wanted to live our lives. Others were just interested in bringing some healthy balance to their stressful lives. We shared recipes, meditation apps, podcasts, scientific articles – anything that we felt promoted the idea of nourishing our minds, bodies, or spirits. I began writing little mini-essays on my experience as a breast cancer survivor, my battle with anxiety, my thoughts on life in general. At this point the blogging idea came back to the forefront of my mind, and there it stayed.
In addition to the traditional meaning of “Create” I also want to work this year on creating a life that works best for me. A life that reflects my priorities – keeping in touch with family and friends, reading and learning, nourishing myself, being strong – in tangible ways, such as writing four snail mail letters or cards a month, calling my mother every day, keeping track of the books I read in my bullet journal, keeping track of my healthy habits, etc.
Do you have a one word theme for 2020? Even if you don’t want to formally choose a word, what word appeals to you as a theme for the year? I would love to hear what words others come up with.
So wonderful to hear from you! I too, am now a cancer survivor. My journey with Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma started in September. 6 cycles of 4 very strong chemos and I’m now in remission! I’ve been home from school since and am returning on Monday. I know I’ll be exhausted, but I can’t wait!
Gosh, Suzanne! So sorry you joined “the club”, but thrilled that you are now in remission. Being back at school will be good medicine, I’m sure.
My go to words this year are going to be “Just do it” like Nike says! Things that I have put off for one reason or another in the past year. Love your blog, the ocean has such a calming effect!
I love your words! I love sunrises and sunsets above the ocean.
Love the blog! I also have back burnered creative pursuits and they call to regularly. One day.
For this year my one word would have to be Relax.
My job sucks and is about to end…again. My elderly mother’s trajectory is changing and uncertain. My financial situation is who-the-heck-knows.
RELAX PAULA, the future is unknown and unknowable.
That reminds me of a meme I’ve seen before that says, “Relax. Nothing is under control.”
I have a card with the word “Trust” that I have carried in my wallet for years. But maybe my 2020 word will be “believe” as in believe in miracles, believe in myself, believe I am worthy, etc.
Yes! I love the word believe. I certainly believe in you, Vicki. <3
Michelle,
Wow. I love, love, love that you are doing this. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful words.
“Create” is such a magical word and one that is at the top of my list as well. It reminds me of the happy feeling I love so much when I am inspired and engaged in the present moment, connected with something unseen and moving with confidence into the unknown. I love this word, Create. To me, it represents inspiration, mystery, movement, life, joy, giving, and receiving. It always, always results in something magical and unexpected. Your blog reminds me of how much I need to bring this word “Create” back into my life. I shall do that starting this weekend….Thank you, Michelle!
I chose a word this year as well: Authentic. This has been my word for some time now. To be Authentic means so many things to me: Truth, courage, generosity, love, connection. The people I most admire in the world are those that give to the world by authentically sharing their hearts- especially, and most importantly, when it is difficult. Doing so opens a portal, shifting energy to a beautiful place that is otherwise unavailable. It is the key to meaningful connection. And to growing and evolving. This is what is important to me. So this is the word I chose. Authentic. Because I seek to be as courageous, true, generous and loving as the people I most admire.
I think I have been making progress in this regard but there is more work to be done, for sure. To Create from your heart and share it with the world is the ultimate expression of Authenticity. Thank you for this reminder. And thank you for authentically sharing your heart. 🙂
Sending you lots of Love, Michelle.
Wow, Elizabeth – thank you so much for such a thoughtful, lovely comment. It’s these types of interactions that to me represented the very best of social media, but so often were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of nonsense. Hence my departure. I hope you’ll visit here often!