My Word for 2024

 Happy New Year! 

It's been a minute (or 11 years) since I chose a word for the year. I was having some angst as the calendar turned over. I have a variety of ideas for the new year and a big trip planned. I wanted to add a structure to the new year without setting a resolution or strict goals. Then I remembered One Little Word! 

Past Words: 

2007 - Discover

2008 - Challenge

2011 - Happiness

2013 - Create

My sporadic assignment of words included some "unofficial" words as life unfolded: Baby/Alex (2009 & 2010) and Change (2012). Yep, those years included some big life changes! 

Now older and wiser, I will try to anchor my year with a word. I happen to have a gift card to cover the cost of the year-long workshop to help me connect with my word. (Thank you preschool families!) 

Here are my top ideas: enough, joy, love, enjoy, journey. 

I am choosing LOVE ENOUGH for my word. I debated between two words and am looking for a word to help me be more self-reflective. 

Cheers to a new year! 

Simplify & Balance

Some years, I choose a word for the year (inspired by Ali Edwards). For 2014, I've had two words stand out to me: simplify & balance. I am still easing into the new year after some holiday travel, so I have not committed to the words yet.

For now, I can start by relating these words to my favorite hobby, paper crafting. One reason that I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator was to simplify my hobby. After being a customer for 5 years, I realized that I could purchase the supplies that I love from one source (and at a discount). For me, this has simplified my shopping process.

Having a creative hobby has helped me work towards balance. This is a constant process, but card making and scrapbooking help me relieve stress during busy times. I started receiving the My Paper Pumpkin kits last fall, and they help me simplify and balance my hobby in a fun way. Each kit comes with supplies to make 4 cards or the supplies for one project. You can try it out once or sign up to receive the monthly kit. I think that the cost is reasonable, and you can skip a month if you choose. Here are three of the cards that I've made with the kits so far:

Sometimes I follow the kit directions exactly and sometimes I change it up a bit for fun.

I am looking forward to my January Paper Pumpkin arriving later this month. You can learn more on the Paper Pumpkin website or contact me for more information. I am also interested in hearing how others simplify and find balance, so please leave me a comment below.

My Word for 2013

It has been a couple of years since I chose a word for the upcoming year. I had mixed feelings about choosing a word and was unsure of which word would really fit. My unofficial word for 2012 was CHANGE.

I have been thinking about what I want in 2013. I have been thinking about goals for the year. I have been reflecting on all of the changes that occurred in 2012.

I thought about UP, but that did not stick. After all of the changes during the past the year, I am looking for ways for things to settle down. I thought about the word PEACE, but that does not fit either.

Then I found the word CREATE. This word fits. I think the next year is about creating the life that we want to live in California. This past year was so much about change and getting some big things set up (a job for me, finding a rental house, moving twice, etc.) I feel like many things were just about adjustment, settling in, and reacting to things as they happened.

The next year is about being proactive, finding a work/family balance, and connecting with want we really want out of our lives in California. I love the energy and positive connotation of the word CREATE.

Edited:
I checked on my past words. My 2007 word was DISCOVER and my 2008 word was CHALLENGE. My unofficial words were BABY and ALEX for 2009 and 2010. My word for 2011 was HAPPINESS. I learned about the "One Little Word" idea from Ali Edwards. My 2013 word came to me from another blogger, Karen Walrond who has an upcoming online course titled CREATE 2013. I have not decided yet if I am going to take her course, but I love the word.