If you could describe your year in one word, what word would you choose?
‘Cos let’s face it! It’s been a year! Again.
The invasion of Ukraine. A scorching summer of drought, fires and floods. Months (years?) of crazy political turmoil. We lost our much loved Queen. We gained a new King. Rapid inflation and rising energy costs. An unpredictable and controversial footie World Cup. A sub-zero start to winter. Strikes. NASA even flew a spacecraft into an asteroid, and sent another on a trip around the moon!
I think it’s safe to say that volatility and unpredictability are now just normal. We’re way past calling them the ‘new normal.’
When we reflect on all that’s happened around us, over which we have no control, it can feel pretty overwhelming.
So turning our attention to ourselves, and what we can control, is probably a better use of our time and energy.
As we start to slow down at this time of year, it’s worth reflecting on our own journey over the year (who we’ve been, what we’ve done and how we’ve done it), as it helps us to celebrate our successes, embrace our failures, acknowledge big changes or deep losses, consider our impact, learn, grow and set new or renewed intentions.
Be curious about your year.
❓What were your challenges and how did you respond?
❓What were your successes, big or small, and how did you celebrate?
❓What have you learned, how will you apply it, and what will you do differently if there’s a ‘next time’?
❓How did you support others in your family, your team, your community?
❓How have others supported you?
❓How kind have you been to yourself? And others?
If I were to pick a word for the year that was 2022, from my perspective, it would be ‘relentless’. At times shocking, at times saddening, at times amazing, at times baffling, at times infuriating, at times helplessness. It’s been a lot.
If I were to pick a word for MY year it would be ‘adventure’. Lots of unknowns, meeting new people, making new friends, sharing of ideas, learning new stuff, trying things out. It’s been a blast!
I feel a really distinct difference in energy between the two words: one feels heavy and smothering, and one feels like dancing in the sunlight.
And so I choose to focus on my word for my year, and how it sets me up with lightness and enthusiasm for another new journey into 2023.
What your word would be and why?
