Sometime in the last few years or so, I stopped making New Year’s resolutions. I always ended up breaking them sometime around mid-February and then spent the next 10 months saying to myself, screw it, I already messed up so what’s the point of trying to continue in that direction. Then January rolls around again and the same story would play out.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Having a specific word however, to represent changes you want to make in your life seems easier and more attainable in the quest to be a better person. That single word or phrase can encompass so much and we can steer our lives in a positive direction that allows for mistakes along the way without feeling like failure will derail the whole thing.
My word for 2017 is Well.
Be well. Feel well. Live well.
According to the dictionary, wellness is defined as the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort. Can also be an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.
Wellness. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
See the thing is, I feel like the past three years have been for me, a twisting and difficult journey, emotionally and physically. I have gone through some pretty rough times and I believe that there is finally a light at the end of this very long tunnel that I have been proverbially crawling through. That is amazing in and of itself.
Last year, I made significant changes to my health. I started exercising and eating better and I lost 30 pounds. Awesome, right? But then the seasons changed, Fall ushered her leaf-swirling head in, and I fell off the health train hard. And then old habits crept back in, and faster than you can say uh-oh, I was in over my head and beating myself up for derailing.
That has to stop.
When I say I want to be well, I mean in all aspects of my life. As mentioned above, I want to be well physically. That means getting back to eating properly and moving my body more. Exercise truly has so many great benefits and I want those endorphins back!ย ๐
I want to be well emotionally. I want to start doing yoga and getting into meditation. I feel thatย this will help me get out of my own head sometimes and give me the calmness I need in my life. I also have been seriously looking at my home space and decluttering on an even grander scale than I had previously done, because too many things gives me anxiety. And although I live in a very small space, I am looking at my things differently and looking at them with fresh eyes and asking myself, “Do I value this? Is this something that I value? Am I really going to watch/read/ look at this thing again?” If the answer is no, than I get rid of it.
I want to be well financially. The things that I am getting rid of, my husband is selling online for me to bring in some extra-needed cash. Paying off some bills this year and getting a proper financial foothold will be of paramount importance.
2017 will be the year of well.
This is going to be a good year my friends. I can feel itย ๐
I like how that one word for you will help to focus your goals in several different areas this year. Good luck with wellness. ๐
Thank you so much Marcy! ๐
It is going to be a good year!
Well is an awesome word for the year!
You can accomplish all that you have set out to do!
Thank you Morgan ๐ I agree, it is definitely going to be a good year!
I wish this for you most definitely. This is such a wonderful word for you. I look for wellness in my every day (I’m a chronic pain-er and I have mental health issues) so this is important in my life. It’s amazing when you start to listen to your own needs how your mind shifts and things start to follow. I truly wish wellness for you. You can do it. Baby steps.
Thank you Kimberly! I wish wellness for you as well ๐ Blessings to you!
Great word choice and I love the Gerbers
Thank you! And I lover gerber daisies too ๐
Great word! You are really great at seeing what needs to be changed and I love that you already seem to have a plan of attack in mind to get going on them. I hope 2017 is a great year for you!
Thank you so much! I hope 2017 is a great year for you as well ๐
I think that’s a great theme Mackenzie! As you know I consider health to be the greatest asset to one’s life. I’m a pretty regular meditator, but I’m trying to add some kind of daily yoga to my life. I’m starting small with sun salutations in the morning.
Thanks T! I just started doing mediation with the Calm app and I am really liking it so far ๐
Love your word choice, Mackenzie! Like you, resolutions have never really worked for me. I’m thinking more about habits now. How to create and sustain them. I tend to be good for a period, then fall off the wagon. I’m so glad that you are seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. You can do it, girl! I believe in you!
I think having resolutions sets us up to fail, as if all these goals are going to happen without changing our mindset or changing how we’ve operated for years, you know what I mean?
Thanks for the support Tanya! ๐
Let’s have a year of well! โ๐ฝ You might enjoy reading some of my posts about wellness ๐ Have a nice day. G
Thanks for stopping by! ๐
I love your optimism and how you’re taking wellness into all aspects of your life. Cheers!
Thank you so much! ๐
Your post is so inspiring!! And you can do all that you set out to do!! I’ve started meditating this year too…its already made me a calmer wife, mom, and person overall! I wish you the best ๐
Thank you so much! And I agree, meditating is helping me be calmer too ๐ It’s been a lifesaver!
I printed out almost the same thing and put it up in my bathroom: fuel well, feel well, live well, be well. I’m on the same journey:)
Everyherb@wordpress.com
Oh, I love that! That way you see it every morning! ๐