Word of the Year 2021: Connect
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.
