My 2023 Word of the Year (And Other Intentions)

Happy New Year and welcome 2023, my friends! It’s the first post of the year and I’m actually feeling really good. It’s been really nice to take a break from work in order to take things easy. Today, we’re spending the day in our pajamas, eating really good food, and prepping for Monday Night Football! I can’t believe the regular season is over next week. It’s such a big part of our life!

I recently reread the post I wrote about my 2022 Word of the Year. It almost made me cry. Even when the year feels like it goes by in a flash, we really do learn and grow so much in twelve months. Last year, my word of the year was Believe and I think it really suited my 2022. It was the perfect word to apply to the year, given everything the year brought.

I use the journal prompt, “If you could control your year, what would you want to happen?” and I write to my heart’s content. Then I look back on what I wrote and identify the vibe/mood/intention. Is this something active? Does my word need to a verb? Am I searching for something? Is the year an adverb? Am I look for purpose? Is my word a noun?

The word can be as broad or specific as you need. But it’s something nice to come back to when the year feels out of sorts. I always struggle January - March and then I blink and it’s Summer. I tend to come alive in Summer and then feel like I need to rush to get “everything done.” We all have times we struggle and just get the bare minimum done. But this year, I was to care for myself in a way that makes my goals and dreams more sustainable and attainable. So, my 2023 word is the year is…

The beauty of the word of the year is that it only needs to make sense to you. To me, “Build” means I am building bridges to the things I want and need, whether that’s related to my career, boundaries, or rest. It means I am building myself and others up, standing tall like a sturdy structure, and making active choices to strengthen my heart, soul, and brain. I want to be an active participant in my life this year. This is the year I build.

A Few Other Intentions

1. Integrate Consistent Movement Back in my Routine

2. Honor My Evening Routine

3. Less Mindless Scrolling

4. Less Mindless Spending

5. Read for Joy, not Commitment

   I always love to hear about your intentions or if you have a word of the year! Here’s to 2023!