Create a word + a Question for the Year (plus my word for the year)

Have you heard of this word for the year concept? I love it, but it’s kind of abstract.

Last year was the first year I created a word for the year and actually thought about it more than twice.

Last year my word for the year was “THRIVE.” I had all of these ideas in my head of how I would thrive for the new year. I mostly wanted to thrive in my stay at home mom life. What I thought that would look like? Schedule all the things for Gemma. Join a moms group. Do all the crafts.

What I learned it looked like? Taking care of myself. Doing creative work in the margins. Simplifying our day together. Just BEING together because that’s what she loves most. Create space for learning, independent play, and involve her in everything like cleaning, dishes, cooking, etc.

I’m surely thriving more than I was, but mostly because I let go of the picture of the perfect mom I was holding tight to in my head.

ANYWAYS…

My word for the year this year? Authenticity.

As I decide to show up a little more authentically this year in everything I do, I’ll be expanding what I talk about online. Which means I’ll talk to you about living a little more minimalish because I love it, but also about work at home mom life. And podcasting. And probably other things, too.

I’m not here for JUST my podcast. If you are, then cool! I’ll be talking about all of that A LOT here (online, on instagram, on this blog). But I’m here for other things. For example: I’m building a community for creative moms in 2020 because I’m so sick and tired of creative work at home mom life feeling so isolating (anyone else?) and I’m ready to do something about it.

If you are a minimalish mom, stay tuned. If you want to love your life a little more by opening your eyes to the good, stay tuned. If you are a work at home mom, stay tuned. If you want to start a podcast, stay tuned. I’m here to talk about all of that and I’m pretty excited about it. 

But let’s talk about your word for the year, shall we? Like, how do you create one?

I have a podcast episode where I take you through a lot of reflection and questions to ask yourself to create goals that are from a purposeful, lasting place. Listen here.

But one thing we talk about is this word for the year concept.

Some questions to ask yourself for this?

What has been lacking in your life? What do you want more of? What do you want less of? What word keeps coming up for you?

For me- I’ve lacked confidence. I’ve wanted to hide as my following grows. I want more bravery and less worrying about what others think.

In comes my word for the year: Authenticity.

So what’s yours? Remember, that podcast episode I told you about can help if you’re still drawing a blank.

Now for the most important part: How can you take this word with you all year instead of forgetting about it in January?

My answer: Ask yourself better questions.

Create a question for the year based off of your word for the year.

My questions: How can I show up better in this situation? How can I be authentic right now? How can I show up real here? How can I be more “me” in what I’m creating at the moment?

You can use those as templates or create your own.

Why does this matter?

This is a question I challenge you to take with you daily. Use it so often it becomes habit. Start with writing it down and reflecting on it each morning (you can do that in this journal.)

Last year, I took my word with me through monthly goals. I didn’t follow through all year. But it worked for some of the year.

This year I’m taking a little step back and just asking these questions.

Honestly, either way helps. But I just want you to actually utilize the word you took time to choose for yourself. I want you to see real, lasting change. I’ve learned that reflecting and asking myself better questions DAILY helps me make lasting change.

So, will you do it? Do it in the morning. In the evening. Whenever works for you. But believe you’re important enough to take a few minutes and reflect on what matters to you and what change you want to make this year.

I’d love to hear your word for the year. Comment or come tell me on instagram!

I’ve also got a freebie for you to help you reflect on the year and decide what’s most important as we move forward. It even has a space to do this word for the year work- grab it here!