For the past couple years, I have been choosing a word of the year. I am sure you have heard and seen many others sharing their word of the year. While it has become a trend, I have found it extremely helpful to choose a word to focus on for the entire year.
My Words of the Year- In the Past
2016 Bold
For 2016 I choose the word bold. Entering into that year, I felt challenged to be more bold in many ways. Far too often, I had shrunk back in fear of being too much or too little.
2017 Focus
This past year, my word was focus. I have learned so much through this word. One of the biggest lessons is to stick with things when life gets tough. It is easy to want to shrink back or take an easier path or be distracted by social media. However with all of the noise, I knew that I needed focus.
This leads me up to this year.
My word is beauty. As I was thinking and praying about my word for the year, the word beauty kept coming to mind over and over again. At first I felt a little silly… beauty?! What kind of word is that? I figured another word would come to mind, but instead beauty kept coming to mind more and more.
One day as I was pondering the word and 2018, I realized why beauty was going to be my word of the year.
I want 2018 to be a year of beauty because I am learning to see the beauty in the mess. For far too long as someone who craves perfection, I was blinded by seeing the beauty in the the mess. I wanted things to be perfect in order to see the beauty.
The truth that kept coming to mind was that there is beauty in the mundane, right in the middle of the chaos there is beauty.
My focus is going to be:
Inward: Looking for the beauty in the mess of my everyday life.
Outward: Encouraging others to see the beauty in their mess.
Upward: Praising God for the messes, because it is in the mess that I realize my need for Him.
As a way to have my word constantly on my mind, I had Sam from Lettering and Company design a watercolor of my word. I am in love with how it turned out and also had her do one for my husband’s word, Trust. Definitely head over to check out her lovely shop!
If you have not made a word or have been hesitant about it, I encourage you to think about finding a word. I know it can seem like an overwhelming task to pick a word. If you are struggling with it, remember these tips:
- What growth would you like to see this year?
- What has been something you have been learning lately?
- Can you sum it up in a word or phrase?
If you have word of the year, please share in the comments below! I would love to hear what it is.
Now it is time for Welcome Wednesday! I loved kicking this off last week with my friends!
Your Hosts!
Whitney at Polka-Dotty Place / Bloglovin / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
Stefanie at Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / Facebook
Keri at Keri Lynn Synder / Faceobok / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest
Mauri at The American Patriette / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Sarah at Sarah E. Frazer / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest
Lindsay at Lindsay’s Sweet World / Bloglovin / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
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I love the word you chose! I also feel like I need to see the beauty in the chaos. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you so much!
Hi Keri! I love your word and finding beauty in the mess. My word is confidence from the scripture, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and puts his confidence in Him.” I want to be confident in Him this year wherever God leads me. Your blog looks amazing!
I love that word Valerie! What a good focus for the year!
Mine is sort of two words – Pray Boldly! So it is very similar to yours. Boldness! I want boldness and courage to be evident in how I serve God this year.
Love that!
Focus is a great word for the year. I want to focus heavily on my blog this year. My word for the year is Slay!!
Excited for you and hope it goes well!
Such a great word! I love all the meanings you put to it as well! 🙂 I hope your life is filled with beauty friend!
Thank you so much Danielle 🙂
I did something similar to this, but I chose 3 words instead of just one.
Oh I love the sound of that!
Love it!! Beauty, I love why you chose it too. I also love how you break it down by outward, inward, and of course upward focus. That is a great way to remember how we can cultivate the word into our lives and vice versa.
Thanks Nicole, yes I am hoping it helps me live it out.
Love that you had the art made as a reminder <3 Good luck with your word this year!
Thank you Ginger!
While that is a strange word, your meaning behind it totally makes sense! I think most moms can relate. My word for 2018 is Expansion.
Thank yo so much Kalyn! Love your word Expansion
I didn’t see this one used yet! I love it. Such a great word to live by!
Thank you Stefanie! It is a little different but I am loving it
Hi! Just discovered your blog today thru Holly at Coordinator of Chaos! My word for this year is Focus! How funny that was your word for 2017! Last year my word was Transform and I joined WW in january 2017 and proceeded tp lose 64 lbs last year! I transformed myself! So now I will FOCUS on keeping my weight off! I will focus on my adult girls, my amazing husband and our 2 homes. Thank you for letting me share my words with you! Have a blessed evening!
Hello Kim! I am so glad you stopped by! I love that your word is Focus! Such a good word!