Pick a Word for 2023.
We are in the second week of 2023. Have you reflected on 2022 and thought about how you would like 2023 to unfold?
In the past, if I hadn’t performed my usual ritual of reflecting and intending by January 2nd, I figured it was too late and wouldn’t do it at all. It always felt rushed. Now, I take a few weeks and deliberately take my time and this year worked through the WADING THROUGH 2022 Workbook that I provided in my December 28th blog. This year I’ve also included a forgotten practice.
I gathered with some family for our big holiday feast on December 29th and had an inspiring discussion about our plans for 2023, and someone mentioned how much they liked the idea of choosing one word for their intention for the New Year. I love this simple practice, but haven’t done it for a few years. I remember my word for both 2018 and 2019 was FREEDOM. Back then, as much as I enjoyed my job at the legal clinic and the vital work we were doing, I felt bogged down and stressed by many 10-hour days and working on the weekends. I was burnt out and craved a schedule with flexibility and needed to be spending my time on the things that were important to me. Freedom became my anchor during those years, and if I found myself doing things that took me away from my intention, I regrouped and refocused. We moved to Picton in 2019, and I feel that my intention of Freedom did manifest itself. I now have flexibility in my schedule, I’m teaching yoga and will be teaching meditation workshops soon, and I started a part-time job yesterday that 100% aligns with my values and how I want to spend my time.
I finished Wading Through 2022 Workbook a few days ago and have been pondering my word for 2023. I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in November (more on this in a future blog) and luckily it was caught early. I’m receiving treatment, and I’m managing it, but I have had many challenging symptoms that I might be dealing with for the rest of 2023.
Because of this, I felt my word had to pertain to my health. I first thought my word should be health, but it didn’t feel right. Health is a big, general word that encompasses; physical, mental, and emotional health. I wanted my word to focus on more than my current health status
My word for 2023.
I sat with this for a few days and decided my word for 2023 is WELLNESS. It resonates with me more than health. Wellness is more of an active pursuit. My health status informs me of where my health is at, and wellness represents the actions I need to take to get where I want to be.
I will review my intentions for 2023 every few months, and WELLNESS will be something that I connect to every day. I need constant reminders, so I taped the word to my bathroom mirror and it’s on my computer and iPhone screens. If I get derailed, seeing WELLNESS will bring me back on track.
If I don’t feel like getting up in the morning and going to the gym; WELLNESS.
If I want to eat a pint of ice cream (something I thoroughly enjoyed and was disgusted with on New Year’s Day) I remind myself; WELLNESS.
If I find that it’s past 10 pm, and I’ve been glued to my computer screen for hours, and know that I should be sleeping; WELLNESS.
Choosing a word can seem daunting, but once you do, commit to it. Here are a few suggestions to help:
1) I highly recommend completing the Wading Through 2022 Workbook first. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself when you take some time to reflect.
2) If choosing a word is not coming easily, take your time. Review the list of words in the above pic to get inspired. Start with a list of 10 words that resonate the most, and put them aside for a day. Revisit the list, and keep editing down to 5, 4, 3, and 2 words until you find the 1 that connects to what you yearn most for yourself in 2023.
3) Place this word in places that ensure you see it a few times a day.
I first learned about this practice from a life coach named Kimberly Carrol. She is offering an online Word of the Year Workshop. These workshops are 3 hours long and cost $50. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed as Kimberly is a gifted coach. The first two workshops are sold-out and she just added a third one- REGISTER HERE - Jan. 18 - 7-10 pm
Choosing a word for your intentions in 2023 will give you deliberate clarity. Let me know in the comments below your word for 2023.
Be well
Anita
Resources
1) Oma Chiropractic & Wellness Centre They created the Wading Through 2022 Workbook.
