My word for 2019

I fell asleep last night with a smile on my face because of that special glow I saw outside the window - the one you get when everything is covered in snow, which makes the night brighter due to the light reflecting off all the beautiful, sparkling white. It finally snowed on Boxing Day, and the world looks enchanted!

But then I woke up with a grimace this morning because of cramping and a very unhappy and bloated tummy, due to the monthly "gift" we women are blessed cursed with. And if that isn't a perfect analogy for life, then I don't know what is. You win some, you lose some!

Today I want to share my word for 2019 with you. For the last five years I have chosen a word to live by, sort of like a compass to help me stay focused on my goals.

For 2014 my word was create. I wanted to create memories, blog posts, fun outfits, photos (I did a personal 365 project where I took a photo every day), meals and new relationships. It was a great year, and I declared my mission a success! Also, I'm seriously considering doing another photo challenge again - I just spent a happy half hour looking through all the photos and reminiscing, ahhh! 

  

For 2015 I didn't choose a word (which is a surprise, I could have sworn I did!), but focused on several specific goals, most of which I accomplished! If you want to see what they were, click on the next link below: ↓
My word for 2016 was brave. And what a fitting word it turned out to be! I wrote about bravery: "Making choices that scare you: Going after a job promotion, moving away, attempting something you have never tried before." Little did we know that these words would turn out to be prophetic, because that same year I quit my job and and we moved to our dream place. 

For 2017 I chose determination. I was determined to find a job again (I did in early February), to finish the book (I did that in August), and to create "a rich, full, satisfying life in our new home". Check, check and check!

That brings us to last year. The word I chose was joy, but I have to admit that I was less joyful than I hoped I would be. While we did a ton of fun stuff - finished my She Shed, I did Foam Fest with a bunch of co-workers, we hosted my sister (it was the best visit we've ever had!), went tubing, spent a week in Mexico, got a new puppy, and hung out at my front porch a lot - I felt off for most of the year. It was an emotionally draining year, and I'm looking forward to the fresh start that a new year always symbolizes for me. 

So what did I choose for 2019?
Like any good word, it chose me. I was sitting in my room here in Princeton a few weeks ago, journaling and starting to make plans for next year, when it came to me out of the blue:

Oh yes, I went there: I'm determined to do less worrying and more relaxing this upcoming year!  

Since writing stuff down works well for me and relaxing on my own doesn't seem to, I'm bringing out the big guns: the magic of goal-setting and intentions-announcing.

I don't know yet what will happen with my job next year, but instead of worrying about it, I am going to trust that it will work out (it always does).

I'm working on another book, and my go-to mode is to obsessively think about it, berating myself for being too slow, and to question my talent, dedication, and the point of it all. But no more! I will write for the fun of it, and it will take as long as it takes. 

I have set a few goals for next year (I can't not do that), you will find out all about that next week.   

Did you choose a word for the year? If so, what's yours for 2019?

xoxo Miriam

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life, words to live by