One Little Word

Friday, January 23, 2015

I found the One Little Word project over at Entomology of a Bookworm (who found it here at Sophisticated Dorkiness). This is a project that focuses on picking one word to define your year. You can pick anything that might speak to you. Something that is a goal or inspires you. 

The more I thought about it the more I love the idea. This is the first year in as long as I can remember that I haven't made a list of New Year's resolutions for myself. This goes hand-in-hand with a lot of the changes in my life over the last year. I started a new job last January, which I love but it is also a lot more challenging and time-consuming.

This year I struggled a lot with balancing things in my life. Family, friends, work, this blog, my weekly theater reviews, and so much more. I've just felt very overwhelmed with a lot of different things and I'm not used to feeling that way. I tend to like having a lot of things going at once, so this is a bit new to me.

2014 was an incredible adventure. I celebrated my five year wedding anniversary, 30th birthday, took a dream vacation, started a new job… but all of that was a lot. It was all piled on top of everything that happens in a normal year and it was enough to make me lose my breath. 

In 2015 I want to refocus my energy, not just on the things I have to do but on the things I love to do. I also want to make sure that I'm doing things that I truly want to be doing and not just things that I've been doing for a long time out of obligation, if that makes sense. So my word, the word that just kept coming back to me over and over again is... simplify

What I truly want is to simplify my life. I want to find my balance again and let go of the things that are distracting me from what's really important. I don't know all that might need to change to get myself there, but that's ok. Right now I just want to focus on simplifying things and see where that takes me. 

If you were to pick one word for your year, what would it be?

Image from here.

14 comments:

o said...

Love this! I'm going to have a think :)

annieb said...

Enjoy--and I mean everything.

Belle Wong said...

I loved reading all of this. I know what you mean, about loving the things you do rather than things being an obligation.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

o - I had to as well :)

annieb - That's a wonderful word!

Belle - It's such a bad habit to fall into.

Amy said...

Health

Sandy Nawrot said...

Last year my word was strength. This year it is chill. Not sure I am every completely true to my word, but it is a good focus point when you are rattled. You did have one heck of a 2014, really an amazing one.

Brona said...

Wonderful!

I always seem to pop over to your blog at just the right time Melissa to see the review, pic or, in this case, word that I need to.

Good luck with simplifying your life:-)

Over the years I've had many words to focus my energies, but I haven't had one for a while now.

Thank you for the prompt.

Diane Challenor said...

My word for 2015 is "THINK". I wrote about it recently in my blog, Artuccino. Last year my word was COMPELLED. It's an excellent idea, and for me, it works better than a New Year's resolution.Artuccino - One Little Word for 2015

Suey said...

Everyone is doing this one word thing! And I can't think of anything! :) Good luck with simplifying. It's an awesome goal.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Amy - A great word to remind us of what we often take for granted!

Sandy - I like Strength! I'm sure I won't hold to this all year long, but even if it's a reminder at times, I think that's good.

Brona - You have perfect timing! I felt like when I saw this prompt it was just what I needed as well.

Diane - Think, I love that one!

Suey - I've only seen a few, but I do love the idea.

Jillian said...

Such a great word, with a great meaning behind it too. I don't know what my word would be for 2014, but maybe I'll have to think about it!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Jillian - It's a good thing to consider. I've found myself thinking about it ever since I decided.

thecuecard said...

De-Clutter ?

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

thecuecard - that's a good one!