Find Your Word 2017
I was introduced to Susannah Conway's "Find Your Word" by my dear friend Stephanie, and was so in love with the process that I just had to share it with you all.
It's a practice followed by many (not just Susannah Conway). Instead of setting resolutions for the year (which, let's be honest, most of us break within the first couple weeks into January), you are encouraged to choose one word to guide your year. It can be anything, from "grace" to "brave" to "delight". Instead of a long list of unattainable and unsustainable to-do's, this process takes all of your intentions and goals and brings them down to a single focus, making it not only easier to remember but easier to follow through on. Susannah of course, describes it best:
"Get fit" sounds like a sensible goal to have, but it doesn't feel very inspiring. Even the more specific “Go to the gym twice a week” has failure built in. I either go to the gym twice a week or I don’t — there’s no room for any other outcome (and that's when we beat ourselves up for "failing"). On the other hand, choosing a word like ENERGISED or even STRONG affects me in a completely different way. They encourage me to make better choices. They empower rather than order, inspire rather than judge. You can't "break" a word like you can break a resolution. The word (or words!) you choose is there to inspire you whenever you need it.
So I signed up and received an email a day over the course of 5 days containing prompts to help me narrow in on a word. At first I was nervous, because a part of me was certain that I would be that one person who would somehow NEVER be able to find a word (and my mother thinks I'm dramatic... pft). But as I went through the course and allowed myself to reflect back on 2016 and examine the areas of my life that needed the most support and attention, I found myself coming back to the same word again and again.
This year was a pretty big one, at least for me personally. Getting to marry Eric meant this year was full of celebration, joy, change and excitement. I also was able to meet and photograph a ton of amazing couples, who in turn became friends. However, as I reflected back on the goals that I set at the beginning of the year for my business, I found that a lot of them got left behind. Which, don't get me wrong, were placed on the back burner for obvious good reasons - I have loved being in this season of my life and I wouldn't have changed a single thing. But moving into 2017, I'm finding myself eager to dive in and really propel my business forward. I am choosing to believe that by opening myself up to change, opportunity and excitement, that big things are going to come this year.
And so, as I made my way through the course, I was being drawn to one word: engage. And the more I sat with it, the more I fell in love with it. When I think of engage, I get excited at all of the areas of my life this word can apply to: engaging with my business, working on new projects that not only serves my couples but projects that bring me joy and excitement; engaging with my community, offering up my talents to serve those around me; engaging my relationships, both opening myself up to new ones and deepening current ones; and lastly, engaging my overall wellbeing, whether it's establishing a mindful morning routine or simply getting outside more.
Again, this is the first time I've done this sort of thing, so I can't exactly tell you how it's going to go. But from what my friends who have participated in this practice have told me about how it shaped their year, whether in small, subtle ways or big, exciting ways, I'm ready to give it a go. It's been a week since I chose my word and already, I have seen it start to make its way into my daily routines, which is so cool. And really, I'm up for anything that gets me away from promising to work out more (it's just not going to happen).
For those of you whose interest has been peaked, click here to be taken to Susannah Conway's blog where you can sign up for this free 5 day course on finding your word for 2017. And once you find a word, don't forget to come back here and let me know what your word is!
May your coming year be full of love, magic and many adventures! Here's to 2017!