Word of the Year

I try to choose a guiding philosophy for the year. It's not a 'Woah, 1st of January need to select a word' kind of deal, but usually a word or phrase that's popped it's wee head up once or twice to say "Hi, how are ya, I'm here, take notice of me before I start yelling!'.

Over the most recent years it's looked like:

2019: 'I can do anything, not everything'

2020: 'I can do anything, not everything' (Yip, I needed to repeat this one)

2021: Family: Be a do-er, Personal: Boundaries

This year I've got a guide and a goal.

My guide is 'consistent, insistent, persistent'. This is actually a term from Reading Recovery but thought it transferred really well to life! If things are going a bit wonky do a check in -

1. Am I being consistent? If no, then do it. If yes, continue.

2. Am I being insistent? Am I actually going hard, am I putting my energy into it? If no, then do it. If yes, continue.

3. Be persistent - have patience and keep working.

My goal word for the foreseeable future is Courage. Courage for me might look like:

The courage to say no to something I don't have time or energy for, even if I think that will hurt someones feelings, or perception of me.

The courage to make the uncomfortable choice. (as above), but also for smaller moments like getting the washing in when it's raining (this isn't actually ever an issue, but I couldn't think of a good example haha!)

The courage to speak up when something isn't right, But also the courage to stay quiet if my voice is only adding to the din.

But most importantly, the courage to see my own light. To back myself, to trust my abilities and capabilities. To have the courage to unashamedly share myself with others - not just the finished product me, but the half-finished work-in-progress me, as well. To make mistakes and learn from them and NOT chastise myself because I should have known better.

The courage to say I am here for a reason.

And the courage to believe it.