Instead of setting resolutions for the New Year for the last 11 years I’ve chosen one guiding word to set intentions for the 12 months to come. I first started doing this is in 2007 when I was heavy into crafting and scrapbooking. I first saw the one word concept on Ali Edwards blog and immediately connected with it. My guiding word over the years have included:
- Focus – 2007
- Change – 2008
- Adapt – 2009
- Balance – 2010
- Achieve – 2011
- Grow – 2012
- Challenge – 2013
- Thrive – 2014
- Light – 2015
- Aloha – 2016
- Do – 2017
In my experience the words take on a their own energy and what you envision initially, isn’t always where you end up at the year’s end. They tend to guide you where you NEED to go and grow towards, rather than necessarily where you’d WANT to be.
How do I choose one guiding word for the year ahead?
Since my first year doing this in 2007, only once have I consciously chosen the word. Usually the word finds me. Personally I find that around mid-November something will be stirring, as for me that’s naturally a time when I’m in transition. My birthday is in December and usually by then I’ve settled on a new word for the forthcoming year. In fact, due to my December birthday I often find myself beginning my year at my birthday rather than January 1st. Tip: Starting your year on your birthday is also an option if the whole “New Year” part doesn’t resonate with you.
At the end of fall I will typically have a few words I’m tossing around in my head. For 2017, the year of ‘do‘ other contenders were open and practice. If you find a word calls but isn’t quite right then I suggest looking in the dictionary for synonyms. These synonyms can even become companion words, that add different and unique aspects to the original word. This is something I am doing this year.
My guiding word for 2018 – Explore
Sometimes a word just jumps out and grabs you, sometimes it might whisper softly but consistently. For me, this years word was definitely the former. “Explore” began to make an appearance around September/October which is earlier than usual for me. I don’t even remember where I first heard or saw it, but it popped up and I immediately gravitated towards it.
2017 was a year of doing things I kept putting off. Like revisiting Florida, starting the RYT 300 and having my wisdom teeth surgery. It was a year of losing family members, gaining new friends, and learning a lot about myself in the process. During the year my career shifted from group fitness, personal training and yoga teacher to just: Yoga Teacher. For 20+ years in the fitness industry I’d taught many formats and now I have decided to dedicate my career to yoga and only yoga. I always felt like I spread myself too thinly, and now it feels like a time when I can go deep. Very deep.
What does it mean to EXPLORE?
When I initially heard the word explore it made me think of unchartered territory, new beginnings, a fresh start. That’s where I feel I’m at, a beginning. I taught my last non-yoga class in October and just having yoga to focus on has been incredibly freeing. Not only does it allow me to focus my business purely on one niche, but it gives me freedom to pursue other interests. Whether that’s rekindling old passions or trying new and exciting things, I’m eager to see where my one guiding word leads me in 2018.
Companion words
I mentioned that using synonyms can be a good way to find a word but it also allows you to open up a word and discover new meanings or nuances to a word. I haven’t done this in previous years so I figure what better way to explore than add some companion words for 2018? Synonyms and companion words for explore include: Analyze; Examine; research; hunt; discover; journey; travel; enquire; investigate; study; question; There is a lot of room for play, creativity and reflection with one guiding word.
How I’m connecting to my word this year
In contrast to previous years words, I’m letting go of perfection and allowing myself to freestyle it through the year with a vision board and junk journal. If you haven’t heard of junk journaling before I’ll be sharing more details on that in another post soon. Vision boards can be a powerful way to change your life regardless. I’ve already made my vision board and hung it on my office wall, the junk journal will be a work in progress for the whole of the year.
I’ll be sharing more on my One Guiding Word for 2018 as we progress through the year.
Questions
If you could choose one guiding word for 2018 what would it be?
How do you explore in your life?
What changes do you want to make in 2018?
One word – what did I DO in 2017?
Lynnette Joselly
I actually saw this on the talk show The Real, maybe I should give it a try but idk what word to pick.
Di Hickman
just pay attention to your surroundings, usually the word is out there just waiting
LESA JEFFERIES
My word found me this time instead of me searching for it….it’s “Discover”….looking forward to this word being my companion this year….I want to learn to paint….and discover things about the world….my Savior…..people around me and even myself! YAY 2018!!
Di Hickman
great word!
Melissa @primpandprimebeauty
I love this concept! My word for the year is consistency. I plan on being more consistent with my content and keeping my goals on track.
Di Hickman
I’ve been saying that about my website for years… maybe this year!
StylishGeek
My word this year is to de-clutter. This takes on a lot of meanings because it is not just to de-clutter in my household, but also in my mind and health.
Di Hickman
decluttering the mind is the tough one there!
Molly Kumar
That’s a great idea and to be honest, setting & sticking to new year resolutions are really hard. I’d love to choose a word or two and then keep the whole year around it.
Di Hickman
yep its easier to keep one word to your heart than 10 different resolutions
Christina
Explore is such a great word! I’ve only been setting words for the year since 2017 but I can’t wait to continue the tradition.
Di Hickman
it’s been life changing for me!
Rachel
I am so impressed that you have had a yearly word for so long. I have never picked one before.
Di Hickman
It’s second nature now, love this so much better than resolutions
Jessica Joachim
I think Explore is a perfect work for 2018! I have yet to pick a 2018 word, but I think this one is a top contender 🙂 I have been planning out my year goals though.
Di Hickman
goals are important for sure!
kimberly lewis
I am having so much fun reading about everybody’s word for the year. Explore is a fabulous word for the new year.
Di Hickman
Thanks, I’m definitely excited for it!
Shoshana Sue
I like that you are letting go of perfection while you explore because those two may have conflicted each other. I have seen many people using guiding words and I might jump on and pick a word for the month or so- kind of like taking baby steps into it.
Di Hickman
Yeah I struggle with perfection and it has held me back in the past. Here’s to letting that shiz go!
Cindy Ingalls
This one word thing is new to me but I like it. I think my word for 2018 will be Fear. I know what I need to do to take myself to the next level but find myself afraid of new things.
Di Hickman
Maybe instead choose FEARLESS or fierce!
LESA JEFFERIES
Then how about the word “Fearless” to try and overcome the Fear
Di Hickman
yes!!!
Amber Nelson
Those are all great words. I think for mine is going to be “painfree”. Does that count?
Di Hickman
definitely! It’s a good goal to have!
Krystal Butherus
If I were to choose my word for this year, it would be consistent, or consistency. I love how your word isn’t just defined to uncharted territory, but to look into other things that you’ve began to do.
Di Hickman
For me explore was more: here I am on a journey into unchartered territory, so it’s a good time to try new things, experiment, play and discover. It’s by exploring we discover new passions!
Maria Katsulos
I love your word of 2016 — aloha!! Love that it means both hello and goodbye, and of course, I’ve visited Hawaii once and I’m dying to go back!
Di Hickman
That was the reason I chose it, after a vacation to Hawaii the November 2015. We back in 2016 and itching to go back again!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I’ve read so many times over the past few years where people set intention words instead of resolutions. I really like this idea.
Di Hickman
Definitely better than resolutions that get broken. A word will stay with you and grow with you.
Angela Tolsma
Explore is a fantastic word. I love how you have it all figured out too. I choose two words this year – kindness and trust. But I have no idea what that looks like or really means. I hope to be kinder and I hope to trust more and that’s about it. Cheers to a great 2018!!
Di Hickman
Well every explorer has a map 😉
Shandy Kaye
I explore in real life by meeting one new person every day, write about what you did everyday or capture one photograph every day.
Di Hickman
All good ways to explore. Definitely explore is more than just travel. For me it’s exploring new places, new things, new people, opportunities, creative endeavours, and so much more!
kim
I love all your guided words throughout your life, especially GROW. But, I will be exploring this year b/c I started another blog called Adventures We Go!! Here’s to 2018!!
Di Hickman
Yay fellow explorer!
robin rue
Explore sounds like a most excellent word choice. I would love to do a bit of exploring this year, too!
Di Hickman
Definitely my plan! Both geographically and introspectively.