Choosing a word of the year for 2021 isn’t required but highly recommended. Here’s how and why you should set a positive intention for this year in the form of one positive word of affirmation.
When I became a health coach last year, I was introduced to the concept of setting a Word of the Year instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions.
I immediately embraced the concept, especially since I have a habit of making very long resolution lists and promptly breaking every one (usually within one week). Plus, sticking to one word is a more user-friendly approach to setting an intention for the year, and it allows us to take a moment and think about what we want and the power of words.
You know that old cliche sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you? Yeah, well, I never bought into that.
You see, I know from experience that words are powerful weapons.
Out of anger, frustration, anxiety, and fear, words can cause long term pain. (Just ask any kid who has ever been bullied, any girl who has ever been teased or ridiculed because of the size of her body or the color of her skin, or any boy who has ever been labeled a sissy for crying when he was experiencing pain.) Those moments stick, y’all. Hateful words cut deep, create emotional battle scars, and unfortunately, some cause a lifetime of hurt.
On the other hand, words from genuine human compassion, care, and kindness have tremendous healing power.
One word of encouragement from a friend, a family member, or even a stranger can serve as a miracle.
Words of understanding – words of support – and words of motivation can move mountains.
This year has been trying for all of us. I have been fortunate, no, blessed, to have had the opportunity to do a lot of soul searching and reflecting in 2020. The time I’ve spent has allowed me to come to a deeper understanding of what I genuinely want to be and do in the years to come, which brings me to my Word of the Year: love.
There are only two ways to respond to any situation: fear or love when you think about it.
With fear comes anger, anxiety, jealousy, judgment, and hate – combined, these emotions are toxic poisons that eat away at our souls, our families, and our world.
Love, however – well, you know that feeling when your heart fills so full you want to burst> Well, that’s the only real remedy there is – for any problem.
How To Choose Your Word Of The Year
Grab a piece of paper or one of those extra-long receipts from CVS and make two columns. Then write down everything that went well over the past year on one side. On the other side, write what you would like to change.
Now take a look at the side that lists what went well. How do these things make you feel? What do you want more of?
Then, choose one to five words that really speak to how you want your year to feel. Nouns, verbs, anything goes—use words that feel good to you. (And remember, no one is reviewing your work, so no worrying about spelling or grammar!)
Review them all together, then narrow it down to one that you know in your heart you need more of.
When you have your word, write it on a pretty card or piece of stationery and place it on your bathroom mirror, fridge, office wall or make it your screensaver on your computer desktop or phone.
Here are a few ideas to get you inspired to find your word.
2021 Word of the Year Ideas
Amazing
Authentic
Abundant
Adventurous
Blissful
Brave
Brilliant
Charming
Compassionate
Consistent
Creative
Confident
Free
Friendly
Fun
Fabulous
Generous
Joyful
Energized
Encouraging
Healing
Healthy
Magnificent
Mindful
Nurturing
Spirited
Keep in mind these are all suggestions to get your ideas flowing. My first instinct was to go the power route when choosing my word – I have been psyching myself up since my first book will be coming out later this month. Not going to lie, that’s a little scary for me, but at the end of the day, as much as I want it to be successful, it means more to me to focus on the reasons why I wrote the book – to help people more than myself, and that comes from love, not fear.
I hope this finds you well and enjoying a great beginning to what I know in my heart will be an epic new beginning for all of us. Happy New Year!
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