Words of The Year

Image via Hidden Garden

It all started in late December of 2019. I had just gone through a breakup, and wanted to show up as a better version of myself in my next relationship. Somehow Susannah Conway’s Unravel Your Year landed in my inbox, so I spent my New Year’s Eve and Day reflecting, and setting some intentions. Unlike other tries with goal setting, Susannah focused on a Word of the Year, which is a way you want to feel, instead of goals you might achieve, but not enjoy in the process. By choosing a word to embody your year, you plant seeds for what’s to come, in such an empowering way.

My 2020 word was “Expansion”, which showed up in my life as big shifts in career and my life path, including coming out of the cocoon I had been healing in for years. To take action in expanding, I started my days with a big, open arm, face to the sky stretch, say yes to things outside my comfort zone, and left a city I loved when I felt the intuitive call (scary!).

In 2021, I chose “Radiant” as my word, but to be honest, the only action steps I thought to take were wearing jewelry, white and bright clothing, and continuing with my 1000 days of a radiance meditation. This taught me the importance of really feeling a connection, sense of drive, and purpose with the word I choose, so for 2022, I took some extra time to reflect. You want your word to really hit you, and inspire you, as it will shape the next year and help guide you on your path.

This year’s word was powerful, and man, did it bring the transformation! I felt more powerful in all areas of my life, including relationships, money, physical health, and work. I could achieve feeling powerful at any moment, by letting my decision be guided by which outcome would make me feel more powerful, and taking action. The word powerful also changed the way I ate (adding meat and more consistency), started weightlifting (loved the way this felt and shaped my body), and started practicing boundaries with other people.

We are inspired to take action through feelings, or emotions in the body. If we’re hungry, we eat. Tired, we sleep. Instead of trying to force yourself to get a new job, or lose ten pounds, drop into the why. Why do you want to feel that way, and then chase that feeling instead? It not only gives you more control in the outcome, but you’ll enjoy the process on the way. So often when we get these things we really want, they make us happy for a moment, and then we still feel unfulfilled.

This year, why not set yourself for more success and joy, by letting your emotions be your guide? To start, listen to my short talk on how to choose your Word of The Year, and then follow the step-by-step guide here! You can also join our event on Dec. 23, 2022, where we’ll unite as a community to discover our words of 2023.