Since 2018, I have picked a word to focus on for the year. I tend to choose a word that inspires me to dig deeper or pay attention more closely. Then I try to come up with some goals that relate to the word and make a loose plan for integrating this word into my every day life. And of course, I journal about it.

My past words of the year have been Simplify (2018), Thrive (2019), and Joy (2020).

This started as a way to be more intentional about goal and priority setting each year. I have never been a New Year’s resolution kind of gal, then for a while I made annual to do lists, and finally ended up here, with an annual word of the year. I chose simplify in 2018 to help me manage overwhelm, thrive in 2019 to motivate me to do a little more of the things I enjoy, and I really picked a doozy for 2020. Joy. Even though 2020 ended up being a global dumpster fire, I found joy. It took effort, and it wasn’t always easy, but it was there in the cracks between the overwhelming 24 hour news cycle, a global pandemic, and the general heaviness of an election year. Joy is a resilient little fucker, good for it.

In 2021 I want to connect. I want to connect with myself, with others, and with my surroundings. 2020 felt really lonely. I have an endlessly entertaining little family that has kept me company over the last 11 months of pandemic life, and I’ve expanded my pandemic social group a little bit, and we’ve driven to Virginia to visit my parents in their Hallmark movie small town wintery wonderland a few times. All part of my plan to connect more.

Here are some of my ideas to find deeper connection this year:

Connect with myself - doing things I really enjoy or that bring me calm

• Read fun books

• Journal daily

• Meditate

• Figure out and stick to morning and bedtime routines

• Learn something new

• Go to freaking sleep

Connect with others - in person, virtually, snail mail

• Spend low tech time with Christopher

• Call friends/answer the phone when they call me

• FaceTime with friends and family

• Find safe ways to see people in person (outdoor dining, parks, beach, etc)

• Snuggle Lucy

• Send cards/letters/care packages

Connect with Surroundings - be in nature, hygge it up

• Listen to music

• Work outside

• Go for a walk

• Keep the bird feeder full so we can bird watch while we work

• Create/maintain spaces in our house that are cozy and safe (hygge)

• Use candles and lamps for soft light

• Stop buying more than we need

Each month I plan to have a goal or two for each of the connection categories, and some of the things I want to do daily or as close to daily as possible (journaling, sleeping, meditating, going outside, snuggling Lucy).

The hardest part is finding a good balance of staying safe and seeing humans in real life so I don’t lose my shit. I’m close to losing my shit more often than I’d prefer, so I’m working hard to back away from that doom spiral.

Do you choose a word of the year? Or make New Year’s resolutions? Or wing it? Let me know how you prepare yourself for a new year in the comments.