A couple years ago, I read about Christine Kane’s cool idea of picking one word for the year as a focus rather than a traditional New Year’s resolution.
For 2011, I picked “Blossom” because I wanted to blossom in my work and my presence in the world. For some reason, I rarely thought about the word after I picked it. Looking back, last year seemed more about boundaries than blossoming.
At the beginning of 2011, I was working at the Apple Store. I loved what I did there, but I learned something about myself. Being around people that much was draining. So I set a boundary by quitting the job. I became very conscious of how much people time worked well for me and made sure I had the alone time I needed, which was a lot at first.
After the Apple Store, I worked from home. This gave me my solitude. Except, when my husband had time off. Every seven years he gets an 8-week sabbatical. 2011 was that year. We spent the first half in Europe, which was a blast. The second half was spent mostly at home, the home I was used to having to myself all day.
I worked with my husband on having the space and time I needed while he was home. Then came out-of-town guests. I began coming up with ideas on how to get my solitude while having people in the house nearly constantly. I’m still figuring that one out.
I also created boundaries with my to-do list. In the past, I’d work on my to-do list until it was done or I ran out of time, sacrificing the things I really wanted to do and feeling like all my life was was one big to-do list. Now, I make sure that I spend no more than an hour, or two at the most, on to-do’s in a day. The rest is devoted to what I really want to do and what I think is really important.
Was I wrong in picking “Blossoming” as my word for 2011? No. It was what I wanted, but I wonder if the timing was off since I didn’t naturally revisit the word during the year.
Was it a good idea to review my year and look for a theme? Yes! Instead of being disappointed that I didn’t blossom the way I had hoped, it helped me appreciate what I actually did do.
Photo credit: Image: Tom Curtis / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”>Tom Curtis / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Filed under: Balance • Inspiration
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I’ve discovered that I need very diverse activities…solitude, lots of human interaction. Getting the balance right is an ongoing challenge. I know that getting it right has to be a conscious activity or it won’t happen.
Also was reminded of my housesitting days when you mentioned your husband’s being around for a month. I discovered, as a housesitter, that I quickly became quite territorial and if the owners returned ahead of time, it felt as if they were invading my territory!
Barbara, I feel the same about diversity of activities. It’s so nice to create our own work so that we can find the balance that fits each of us individually.
I love your comment on housesitting. I can get totally territorial!
Hey Sue! Thanks for the post!
Blossom is such a beautiful word. I can see why you chose it.
My word of the year 2012 is simplify!
So excited about this word and this intention! I can already feel it “blossoming” in my daily life.
I use my to-do list FOR the things that I want to do and that are important to me. Those are my “A” priorities and always get done first ,- artmaking, exercise, meditation then I move on to the other things on my list. : )
Thanks, Michele. I chose blossom because it had a playful feel to it too.
For 2012, my word for the year is streamlined. So ours are related
I like your approach to you to-do’s. I was thinking of the more mundane things like call the plumber, grocery shop, etc as my to-do’s when I wrote this post. Those mundane activities were eating way too much of my time!
I’m excited to see what this year brings for you!