One Little Word® | Nourish

Hi! It’s Jennifer here. Today I’m sharing a little about my One Little Word® for 2015 and how the January prompt of the One Little Word® workshop from Ali Edwards came together. I’m excited to be sharing this here, and it’s my intention to share my work for the prompts with you each month. Again, it’s that accountability thing. It works wonders for me!

In 2011, I chose my first One Little Word. Every year since then I’ve repeated the process, and I’ve always participated in Ali’s corresponding workshop. So far my words have been action, release, open, and connect.  Some words have been great and still show up in my mind once in a while, and some words, well, they’ve fallen flat.

Discovering my one word for the new year usually happens in December, but October is typically when I begin to notice words more and think about my intentions for the coming year. I guess I’m a planner that way.

This year I knew my intentions LONG before I knew the word that I’d choose. I thought my word would be “Start.” There were so many things I knew I wanted to work on…exercising, eating well, getting projects done around the house, scrapbooking projects, quilts made, etc. All of those things could get done simply by starting.

I also considered the word “Alive” because I’ve become aware recently that I really need to be putting more spontaneity, fun, playfulness, silliness, and belly laughs in my life. I need to do more things that make me feel less serious and alive!

As December was coming to an end, however, I just wasn’t 100% sold on either of these words. I knew there was a better choice. I thought more about what I wanted for the new year and what I need to work on.

I thought about how tired I’ve become of constantly feeling like I’m banging my head against the wall trying to figure out “what’s next” in my life.

I thought about how good it would feel to let go of all those expectations I put on myself of trying to be “something more” than a mom and a wife.

I thought about how good it would feel to NOT try to do (or feel like I should do) every scrapbooking project that’s talked about in the online community I follow. (That’s pressure I put on myself, by the way. I totally own that.)

I thought about how I already know exactly what I need in the new year and how it’s been whispering to me since summer.

I thought about how I already know if I could focus on this one thing as my personal goal, then everything else will fall into place.

I thought about how I already know that I need to stop fighting against what is, accept it, and begin to NOURISH my body into good health. I’m not in poor health and have not had a health crisis, thank goodness. I am, however,  becoming more aware of my age and how much harder it will be to stay in good health in the future if I don’t reach a healthy weight and make regular exercise a part of my life now. I’ve put it off for long enough.

I know that 2015 needs to be the year of only doing things that NOURISH my mind, body, and soul. Period.

Yes, I’m making ‘goals’ for myself around the blog, crafting, family time, weight loss, exercise, eating well, relationships…all of it. All those things NOURISH me in some way or other. It’s funny how our words really do sometimes choose us if we’re quiet enough to hear them.

I’m so excited for 2015! Let the fun begin! What’s your One Little Word® this year?