I have found a few articles that might help answer that question, one of the most helpful was surprisingly from the AARP. I especially liked this reasoning: "Picking a word of the year can bring clarity and focus to who we want to become and what we want to accomplish in life. A carefully chosen word is a type of mental mentor — something to help us stay motivated as we move toward our goals in 2023." I could certainly use a "mental mentor" so I am beginning to see some reasons why choosing a word might be helpful.
I stumbled upon a book while browsing at the library, and even though it's pretty far from my usual literary fiction, I checked it out. Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber is the story of four different women who come together through a journal-writing class, and they each choose a word that helps them deal with the unexpected directions their lives are taking. It's chick-lit, but I don't absolutely hate it, and there's even some knitting in it. Oftentimes reading helps me get a better handle on things I'm questioning, so I'm going to see if this book helps me answer the question as to why I might want to choose a word.
If any of you have any basic ideas about why choosing a word might be a good thing, I'd love to hear them! I have read, enjoyed, and benefited from many of your One Little Word posts, so I don't doubt that it can be a valuable thing. I'm still a little on the fence if it can be a valuable thing for me, so I'll take any help I can get. Thanks in advance!
This is my 10th year choosing a word and at this point I can't imagine NOT doing it. It definitely helps me to focus on my intentions and even sometimes gives clarity as to why I behave the way I do or how I might change my behavior. I enjoy the process of journaling and creating each month and it helps me to check in and see if my word is resonating and actually helping me. That said, there's nothing at all wrong with not participating in this particular thing. There are all kinds of ways to enhance your life and it doesn't have to be about choosing a word.
ReplyDeleteOh... this is a topic I'd like to talk with you about!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a journaler... but I have never journaled about my "word" specifically. Oh, I might write down a sentence or two, a quote here and there, gather some poems to tuck in the pages, but I have not made scrapbooks to my word... ever. I am doing a specific journal for my word this year because I realized that I need some space to work out the ways I have chosen to not be authentic... to hide what I really feel, think, want to do. I think I need a space outside my head to let myself be myself... if that makes sense.
Rather, I have selected a word (or perhaps something in the universe nudges me towards the word... I don't know) and then began my Year Long Study of that word and what I can learn to apply to my life. And I love it. Every bit of it. I love the learning. The pondering. The reading. The thinking. The inner conversations with myself over it. And yes... I especially love how it broadens my perspective, sometimes changes my pathway or reveals a new trail!
It was Carole who initially inspired me to try a word... which was such a word flop, lol. However, that flop caused me to dig in and learn more, which helped me get on the journey I am on today. I am nodding along with Carole, I cannot imagine not having a word. It has been such an enlightening process!
I like the idea of picking a word that provides focus on some aspect of myself I want to work on or improve. I haven't been doing it for very long relative to some others in our little blogging circle, but so far it's been helpful to me.
ReplyDeleteNot what you asked for, but not everything is for everybody? The idea of picking a word that adds to my "to do" list just doesn't appeal. It would send me on a guilt trip every time I remembered "oh yeah...that word thing".
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am not a journal person and get hives thinking about someone stumbling upon it and reading my inner most thoughts. Nope....not for me.
I do keep lists of things I want to accomplish, and document things I have accomplished: books read, knitting, weaving, household projects, and gardening. But that's the extent of it.
I think Valerie sums things up very well -- not everything is for everybody. But . . . I will also throw this into the mix: When something is "niggling" at the back of your mind, it's usually just the tip of some sort of iceberg. Maybe . . . the word-thing is "niggling" for you back there because you need to look deeper? Maybe it means you need to choose a word . . . and then actually work to explore it? I don't think you need to buy products or suddenly become a journal-er or follow prompts to DO that. There are so many ways to use a word as a focal point for your year that have nothing to do with "products" or journals. Anyway . . . just my two cents worth. :-) (Also . . . you actually ARE a "documenter" . . . because, ummm, you're a blogger.) XO
ReplyDeleteI think whether this appeals to you or works for you is dependent on your personality. I don't need any assists in being introspective, so having a process that prompts me to engage in more of it feels like self-indulgence. At this point in my life, it is not my path. Everyone's path is different. You get to choose.
ReplyDeleteNo help from me! I chose a word once or twice, but was annoyed thinking that I had to think about it, learn from it, document it, etc. Not my cup of tea. And, it just seemed like such a chore! But, it certainly has appeal and value for some folks. I say do your own thing!
ReplyDeleteI totally thought that you were announcing WHY as your word! haha.
ReplyDeleteha! me too! (and that seemed perfectly in character!)
DeleteThat said, I am not a "word" person. I think it's sort of a cool idea, and I've tried but just can't get into it. I am not intentionally introspective, really. AND, there's just way too much on my plate to add one more thing to think about, worry about, ponder, whatever... I'm not intentionally looking for (more) things to feel guilty about not doing!
ReplyDeleteAs the other's have said .............maybe it's NOT important to you. I think at this point in our lives we should do the things that have meaning and not just add more to the "have to" list. I did pick a word. Will I do much with it? Probably not.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I have anything to add to the wise words of the comments before me ... but 2023 will be the 17th (!!!!) year I've chosen a word. Some have worked miracles on my life and some I've left on the shelf for 10 months. I enjoy the process ... the learning, the sharing, (the 12 blog posts), the focus. I love seeing how the word manifests in my life - I've learned a lot about myself (and grown in some good ways), and delighted in the surprising connections that I can make when I simply pay attention to something. Like others have said, this practice doesn't need to be for everyone. I'll be interested to hear more from you - and how/if our feedback informed how you might proceed.
ReplyDeleteI tried years ago after seeing it on Carole's blog. I picked Balance and bought the word Balance that now that I work from home I have hanging by the desk. I never did anything with it but it does remind me to work towards more balance in my life and it has been many years since I picked it.
ReplyDeleteEven an occasional reminder years later is worthwhile! A reminder to work towards balance is a good thing.
DeleteI have never chosen a word for the year and yet this year a theme revealed itself to me. go figure!! I love reading about other people's words though!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Valerie. Not every activity is for everyone. That being said, I enjoy words, word play, the history of words, and how they mean different things depending the context. This year, for the first time, I kept a journal related to my word because I had some photos and things I had either been given or saved that I wanted to use. I like to journal but for me it is about writing rather than about crafting. I blog about my word if I feel like sharing my thoughts but I feel no pressure to blog every month at a specific time. A word gives me a general direction as opposed to resolutions. So I suppose it makes me feel more successful. I also try to choose a word that will add something positive and happy to my days. I do think that the words I have chosen have enriched my life and I continue to carry them with me.
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