If you’ve been keeping up with my various oversharing writing outlets for a while now, you will know that a new year is a big thing for me. Whilst I’m not a huge fan of making dramatic resolutions (I tend to go all out initially, petering out rather pathetically about 2 months in) I do love a fresh start.
I know some people find January a bit depressing but I relish the feeling of a slate being wiped clean, a whole fresh set of opportunities. Of course in reality it’s just another day rolling on from the past 16520 days I’ve been on the planet (you can decide whether that’s accurate or not) but don’t spoil my moment.
With each new year, I look to choose one word to kind of shape the next 365 days. Being a Christian, I usually discuss this with God and some of my church buddies before making a decision that I think is fitting for my current season.
I also go through a workbook called ‘Unravelled’ written by Susannah Conway. When I discovered this three years ago, it was like all my Christmases had come at once! If you can relate to my first paragraph then I highly recommend this workbook for you. It can be worked through at your own leisure, but encourages reflection on the past year as well as making some plans/changes for the one ahead.
Last Year’s Word
The first part of the workbook is spent considering your ‘One Word’ for the year. Last year mine was Trust.
I picked the word ‘Trust‘ because I felt that I was lacking this in my life. I was far too self-sufficient (*cough* control freak) and reluctant to give my total trust to anyone, least of all God. Well what do you know? He had a funny way of challenging me with this word! So yeah, when my eldest daughter had a mental breakdown and I realised that I could not control any aspect of what was happening to her, I had to put my trust in Him.
Boy was it a steep learning curve! It was not a straight forward journey by any means and I did seek out counselling to try to help me reconcile what had happened to her and to let go of that big, bad, ugly demon – Mum Guilt. You know the one. Vicious little monster isn’t it?
Nine months later and I feel much lighter in my spirit and having experienced various occasions when God did come through for us as a family, I now know that He can be trusted.
What about this year – 2017?
I picked out a Word almost immediately, something which I already felt I was beginning to implement into my life during the latter part of 2016. That Word is Release.
I mulled it over for a while, mainly because it felt too passive. I’m a ‘doer’ by nature; always looking for a new hobby, the next challenge, something to get my teeth into. Rush, rush, rush. Busy, busy, busy. Then I realised that this is the exact reason why this Word is perfect for me right now.
And the more I consider this Word, the more it means to me. I’m not just talking about releasing the ‘Mum Guilt’ (although that in itself is a great goal to have) it goes deeper than that. I have a strong tendency to be driven by the words ‘should‘ ‘ought to‘ and ‘must‘. I use them a lot in my everyday vocabulary – something my therapist picked up on during our first session – and they aren’t particularly helpful. They inevitably lead to resentment, exhaustion and a lack of joy.
Don’t get me wrong, I do seek out some time for myself (my kids would tell you that’s all I do!) and my life is far from ‘doom and gloom’ but when the scales are weighed too heavily on the ‘should‘ side, this is what happens.
How will this Word shape my year?
One of the questions in the ‘Unravelled’ booklet is this:
‘If you lived and breathed your Word every day in 2017, what would be different for you?’
I think this is key to working out whether the Word you’ve chosen is the right one. If you like the sound of the life you might end up with, then you’re on the right track!
For me, if I truly embraced the Word ‘Release‘, I think that I would feel considerably lighter. Less striving and more opportunity for spontaneity. Less expectations on myself and others, more freedom and acceptance. Less disappointment and general frustration, more respect for imperfection. As a result of all that? I would like to think that there would be more laughter in my life – something that I adore and my soul has ached for this last year.
How will I live out this new Word?
I think initially you need to work out how you are going to embody this new Word or phrase in your every day life. The act of writing down what that looks like for you as an individual, is powerful. It can be small things like having no big expectations for the year ahead – that in itself is a huge release for me. Or bigger more challenging things, like letting myself off the hook when I make mistakes, or choosing to see the good in someone when I feel they’ve let me down (releasing those high expectations).
The first thing I’m doing, is reading the book ‘Present over Perfect’ by Shauna Niequist. Shauna seems to be living and breathing my Word for 2017, which is making it a challenging and exciting read. One that I would highly recommend.
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Have you got a Word for 2017? I would love you to share it in the comments below. Perhaps picking One Word is not something you’ve considered before, why not experiment and jot down some ideas on a piece of paper? Other people I know have chosen a phrase – a kind of headline for the year. There are no rules, just have some fun with it!
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14 COMMENTS
Michelle twin mum
8 years agoThis is an amazing inspirational and empowering post Suzanne. You making me think through a whole new depth to my word ‘trust’. Bless you, Mich X
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORThank you for reading Mich. I do think it’s worth thinking about your word at a deeper level – how will it affect you, change your life, what can you do to embrace it fully? I’m beginning to realise that ‘release’ also relates to letting go of what went on last year. I’m excited about this year ahead. Hope you are too. xx
Sarah MumofThree World
8 years agoThis is something I’ve never thought of – probably because I don’t have the same kind of personality as you. I tend to just let things happen and don’t worry about controlling them!
I’m so glad it works for you though and really hope ‘release’ proves to be the right word for you for 2017. x
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORYep, definitely a personality thing. It ticks all the boxes for me because I’m someone who loves to organise, plan and set goals. I think this is part of the reason why 2016 hit me so damn hard! Something else I need to ‘release’;) xx
Plutonium Sox
8 years agoGreat post and a brilliant word, I bet you need a release after the year you had last year! I signed up for that workbook on your recommendation but haven’t had time to look at it sadly. Sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe next year 😉
Nat.x
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORI’m still working through mine! I don’t think it matters how long it takes you – every a whole month 🙂
Reneé @ Mummy Tries
8 years agoLoved reading this Suzanne. Glad you were able to start trusting, and your word this year is just perfect. I think any mum agonising over doing right by her kids needs to release themselves from the guilt! But it goes deeper than even that, letting go is a life changing experience… my word this year is kindness, because we need more of it in the world xx
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORKindness. I love that Renee! We definitely need more of it and it’s really on my radar too. Just a little bit goes such a long way doesn’t it? That Mum Guilt has a lot to answer for! xx
Fiona Cambouropoulos
8 years agoRelease is a great word for a doer, I could do with adopting this too, best of luck, it will free up time and space for you. #SharetheJoy
Lizzie Roles
8 years agoLove this Suzanne, how strange as my word for 2017 is TRUST! And your word for last year was the same, I have a feeling God is trying to tell me something! Will definitely look up those books.
Thank you for linking up to #sharethejoy it’s an absolute joy to have you! Lizzie xoxo
Shelly
8 years agoBeautiful post Suzanne, thanks so much for sharing. Has certainly given me some things to think about #sharethejoy
Morgana
8 years agoI loved reading this Suzanne. You’ve definitely inspired me to reflect on what my word for 2017 could be xx
Helena
8 years agoIt’s interesting to read how the same person that has inspired me has also inspired you and others. My words for the year are ‘ignite’ and ‘excite’. These were cemented more by Michelle. #sharethejoylinky
Suzanne W
8 years ago AUTHORYour words for the year sound far more exciting and adventurous than mine. Looking forward to seeing how they pan out for you 🙂