I took the last two years off from choosing a word for the year. Looking back, it seems appropriately fitting. The last two years have been hard in numerous ways. I don’t know if I sensed that a hard time was coming in which I could only survive, but I didn’t have a word to focus my attention on for those years and I think that was good for me.
Now, I am ready to delve back in to growth by intentionally focusing on a word-based theme for the year ahead.
This word began to call out to me in big and small ways at the end of last year. Reading Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee definitely helped to solidify this word in my heart. After I decided on this word, I began to notice it all around me…in books, on television, in conversations with friends, in my Instagram feed, etc.
I am so very excited to focus my attention on Joy this year and see where it leads me.
When I initially chose this word, I had the idea that I would set an intention to only do the things that brought me joy this year. If it didn’t bring me joy, I just wouldn’t do it, I thought.
And then I realized just how unrealistic this is.
As an adult, sometimes we have to do things that don’t bring us joy. Sometimes (maybe even a lot of times) I have to do things that I don’t necessarily want to do. That’s the whole idea of adulting. And I can’t opt out just because a task doesn’t give me joy. I would never clean my house if that were the case.
So, I adjusted me intention. And now I have three intentions for this year of JOY.
In 2022, I intend to…
- Find Joy
2. Choose Joy
3. Live Joyfully
Looking back on previous years of choosing One Little Word for the year, I discovered that Joy is a recurring theme. I had totally forgotten that it was my word in 2018 (oops) and for my first year of choosing a word in 2012, I chose Enjoy.
Maybe this time it will stick…or not. Maybe Joy is a word, an idea, a theme that I continuously need to revisit.
As I interact with Joy this year, I plan to come back here to share my process. I am taking the One Little Word class that Ali Edwards offers to purposefully work with my word all year. I’ve also ordered a journal to write down my thoughts, learning and growth as I focus on Joy throughout the year. And I’m in the process of creating an inspiration/vision board on Pinterest. I’ll share that when it is completed.
Did you choose a word or theme to focus on this year? If so, I would love for you to share it below.
May we all find joy, choose joy and live joyfully each day of this new year!
Pat Hensley says
My Word of the Year is Delight. I like to reflect on what gives me delight that day and writing it down in my bullet journal.