My Word for 2021

If you've read Upcycled Education through the years, you know I often choose a word or phrase to support me during the year ahead.

Probably my favorite word that served me deeply was BRAVE (in 2014). I wrote a blog post here about my biggest takeaways from showing up more bravely that year.  I'm laughing at the photo in that post; I still wear those cheetah print slippers every today.  In fact, I recently included those slippers (pair #5 of my lifetime) in my Jen's Favorite Gift Guide post here.

The biggest dud of a word for me was in 2016, Savor.  I literally can't remember doing anything with that word that year, but choosing it and then forgetting I had.

I recently heard someone say they were going to "audition" words for 2021.  I love that - auditions!  Here's what I am currently auditioning:

True:  Being true to my soul's purpose + in doing so, finding peace and happiness

Faith: Having confidence and trusting (no matter how coo-coo life gets and seems)

Wonder: Being open to beauty, signs, and synchronicities

The other day I asked on Instagram what words you all were considering.  Push, community, open to change, move, evolve....were shared.  Reading those words makes me so curious.  AND, since it's December 31st and I am in the audition phase, I'll have to circle back and let you know which word or phrase I choose.

Or better yet, which word chooses me.

Happy last bits of 2020, dear friends.  Here's to 2021 ahead!

With love,

Jen

My Word for 2017

You might remember, each year I choose a word to be my focus or intention for the year.

In 2016, my word was "savor."  I chose that word because I wanted to slow down, be more in the present moment, and savor what was around me.  In 2015, my word was "brave" - man, was that a great word for me.  I leaned into brave so much that year that 2015 was probably one of my biggest personal and professional growth years on record.   Brave, you ruled!

Jackie - my colleague, business partner, and friend - just texted me and asked what my word for 2017 was going to be.  Hmmmm, that's a great question.  What do I want my focus and intention to be?

What do I want to invite into my life for 2017?
Do you have any suggestions for me?   

Here's a great question...what do YOU want to invite into your life for 2017?  What is your word going to be?  Please share below or contact me (via email, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter).  I'd love to know what word or words you are considering; perhaps, they will inspire me.

So curious,
Jen

My word for 2016

For the past two years, I've been choosing a word of the year.  I have found having one word (versus a list of resolutions) is a meaningful guide to how I want to be and live for that year.  For 2014, my word was Brave.  In 2015, my word was FUN (which I was not public about, though FUN served me well).   This year, my word is....

Savor.

I first thought my word would be now.  Not now in that things have to happen immediately, but now like live in the present moment.  After a coaching session with Sue and discussing my word of the year, a new and better word came to mind.  Savor.  Savor the now.  Savor the moment.  Savor all the little and big things happening in my life.  Savor the people.  Savor my surroundings. Savor the struggles. Savor the opportunities.

Savor feels slow and delicious and spacious and unrushed, present, and delightful. Savor feels exactly right for how I want to be and live in 2016.

In fact, I've been savoring all of your email congratulations and social media high fives about our new website, ebook, decks of cards, and wooden nickels at Hello, Strategies.  I'm savoring it all. Thank you!

Do you have a word of the year?  If yes, what is it?  

Jen

Brave Lessons: The Wrap-Up

I would have totally forgotten the year of Brave was wrapping up, but then I saw some of my favorite bloggers choosing their new word for 2015 here and here.  2015?!  Is it here already?

Here's what I've learned about Brave and here are my thoughts on next year's word(s):

• Brave, you suited me well.  I needed you throughout the year in different situations and with different projects (like writing a book).  You were an encouraging sidekick to me.  
• There were times where I could have renamed Brave to other words like Bold or Confidence. Now, that I am typing that, I think all three words come from the same word family.  Would you agree?
• Brave is all relative.  My Brave is different than someone else's Brave.  Perhaps, the bigger lesson here is that all things, situations, and challenges are relative & person dependent.  It reminds me of that idiom, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  LIFE is in the eye of the beholder, too.
• I loved how Bravery found me in places I least expected - the kitchen (hence, my new cast iron skillet pictured above), on the trails, and even in my workouts.  Since October, I've added four mini-workouts a week into my fitness repertoire (they are roughly 20 minutes long).  Those are in addition to my regular hikes, walks, and trail runs that I do with Jedi.  I can see the micro-differences those mini-workout additions have made.  In fact, noticing those micro-differences fuels me to keep going in 2015 with my mini-workouts of the Dailey Method.  Here's to Brave fitness and not giving up!
• Now, that 2015 is upon me, what will my next word be?  
• I'm also thinking I might abandon one word and go for a phrase in 2015.  

What words or phrases do you suggest?  Do you have a word (or phrase) to keep you focused for 2015?  I'd love to hear....

Happy New Year to you!  

xo,

Jen

2014 On My Mind

Many of my favorite bloggers have publicly shared their goals and their "one little word" for 2014. 

Am I the only one who is still processing 2013 and attempting to envision 2014?  Thankfully, Jedi and I are in the same boat.  Strength in numbers, I tell you.  

But, this I know.  2014 is going to be pretty amazing when the noise in my head comes to fruition.

What are your 2014 goals or your one little word?

Super curious - maybe it will inspire me,

Jen