A few years ago I began choosing a “word of the year” instead of a New Years resolution. I did this for a few reasons. A New Years resolution is very narrow and often within the first few weeks or months, I had forgotten about it and fell off the wagon towards my goals. When I shifted my focus on a more broad word that was geared towards many areas of my life I was able to hold true to this throughout the year. It has really worked well for me and a few of my friends have began doing this with me and it is so much fun and we hold each other accountable.
choosing your word
When choosing your word, be sure to reflect on the previous year. Think back on the past few years and what you have already achieved. Think of what you have wanted to achieve and what has been holding you back.
Try and think about a word that encompasses multiple areas of your life. It can cross over your personal/work life or your relationships/home life- but it does not have to.
Words can have many meanings and that is perfectly fine. The definitions of words can mean many things to many people. So many words can have multiple meanings and that can actually be really neat. My word for this year can be interpreted in a multitude of different ways.
Do not feel like you HAVE to share your word with the world. Just because I choose to share my life with the world, does not mean that you have to as well haha. It can be a very personal thing.
Some people choose a different word every couple months, but I need a complete year to work on my word. I personally think it takes a whole year to really get the full effect.
You can choose two if you want. I have had some people ask me about this and that is fine. This is your journey – and it is yours to do what you want with it!
There are many lists of words of the year on Pinterest if you want to google them, I do not own rights to any of the lists.
In 2016, my goal was to be intentional and follow through with what I said I was going to do. If I said I was going to do something, I made sure I was going to do it. After all, words are just words. Actions speak way louder than words. My biggest pet peeve in the entire world is people not following through with what they say. I would term this as a “flakey” person so I wanted to be the opposite of this. I had always said I was going to lose weight and I began praying about what I could do. This led me to gastric bypass. In 2017, honestly I did not pick a word. I was so focused on my surgery. In 2018, my word was CONFIDENCE and let me tell you- I think I mastered that word. I am so conformable in my very own, imperfect skin. For this past year, my word has been INSPIRE. I hope that I have inspired at least one of you throughout this past year.
For 2020, I have chose the word BLOOM. At the beginning of 2019, I was in my 6th year of being a nurse, in very good physical shape and very comfortable in my life. Suddenly things changed and I had to adjust many things in my life. Therefore, many things had to begin again. I launched my blog and am essentially an entrepreneur full time, I am a part time hospice nurse now, I am learning the ins and outs of navigating a chronic illness that I will live with the rest of my life and I feel that this will be a year of growing gracefully and blooming.
When a flower blooms, it does not compare itself to the flowers next to it; it just blooms. When a flower or plant is in bloom it also shows the world the absolute BEST it has to offer and that is exactly what I intend to do. I want to give you all my very best- every single day.
Nothing in nature blooms all year. So I am trying to be patient with myself. Knowing that my journey is a marathon and not a sprint.
If you would like, please share your word of the year with me for 2020. I would love to hear! You can contact me on Instagram @Maddie5088 or on my business Facebook page – Mornings with Maddie. As always, thank you for being here and reading! I love you all. I hope you have an extra special New Year!
Xoxo, ♥ Maddie
Loving your blog! Just realized you are on Facebook.
Aww, Lori I am so so so glad!!!! I am so happy you are here!!!
I am in the process of being approved from insurance. I meet with the nutrition nurse next week. I’m excited, yet scared at the same time.
I am so happy for you! I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!! I am cheering you on!
Consistency
I ran across your blog and Facebook. The first thing I notice was your beautiful blooming smile
Oh my gosh, you are so kind!!!! I am so glad that you are here!!!! Thank you so much!!!!
Thanks for sending me the link to your website and blog. I have a question? My ring pulled through and I have gained back 75 lbs. No dr will operate to fix it and the dr that did the surgery is retired. Do you think the reset would help me lose the weight I have gained? Thanks.
Of course! I honestly have no idea. I am not a doctor and I can not give any medical advice. I am also not able to give any nutritional advice, only what has worked for me and my journey. I am not familiar with the “pouch reset.” I can tell you that I will be thinking of you and praying for you on this journey that you are on. You are more than welcome to utilize my recipes during your program if they fit into your plan!! I am so sorry that you are having difficulties and I hope that things begin to go smoothly for you!! Sending you positive vibes!!! xoxo
Confidence & Love.. I had my surgery on Oct. 2nd, Today I made it to 199 I truly don’t remember the last time I was here.. my high weight was 263.. I know I have to be Confident and Love Myself.. It’s going to be a process of Steps..
Donna!!!! I am so so so happy for you!!!!! Congrats!!! You made it to “ONEDERLAND” ( I THINK THEY CALL IT!) haha – the 100s. I am so so happy for you. Although that is just a number on the scale and it does not define you, it is so happy to hit that milestone in your journey. Be confident and be so happy with how far you have come. I am so proud of you!
I am 7 weeks gastric sleeve and I have lost 26 pounds. My hi weight was 201 and now 175. I seem to have stalked in my weight loss. Is this typical? I’ve been 175 for 5 days. I have not had this much time in between losing a pound.
Hi Cindy. I did not have the sleeve, I had the gastric bypass. I am not a nutritionist or a doctor. I am a nurse, but I am not able to give any medical advice. Everyone has such a different journey. But I do know that stalls are super super common, sometimes up to a month or more at a time. What I can tell you is to KEEP GOING. Never give up. I had a three to four month stall before I suddenly lost 10 pounds and ended up at my goal weight. While it can be super frustrating, you have to keep going! Congrats on your surgery and your weight loss! You are awesome!
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.
thanks for this article. I look forward to choosing my first word for 2021.