#OneWord2020. By this point, I’m sure you have seen the social media posts. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and everyone’s blog are filled with people ringing in the New Year (Decade) with their #OneWord202o carefully selected to frame their year.
Many years ago, I, too, embraced the #OneWord challenge. In fact, I traded lists of New Years Resolutions for #OneWord to drive my decisions and focus my reflection for the entire year. I’ve created artwork, designed screensavers for my phone, and placed my word on a Post-It note on my desk — all deliberate reminders to use it daily.
Previous #OneWord selections: Previous #OneWords include Fearless (2014), Move (2015), Simplify (2016), Intentional (2017), Cultivate (2018), and Embrace (2019).
Last year’s selection, EMBRACE, was particularly important. 2019 was a “Year of Lasts” and the beginning of a “Year of Firsts”. Going in the year, our family suspected that our time with my beloved mother was short. We embraced that knowledge – as well as every moment that we had – with all of the love that we had to give, right up until her last breath on the afternoon of May 24. In that moment, we transitioned from a “Year of Lasts” – with my mom – to the “Year of First” – without my mom.
Although I continued to intentionally embrace every emotion as it happened, 2019 may forever be the most challenging year of my life.
Just as our “Year of Firsts” began, so did our “Year of Lasts” – as my daughter began her senior year of high school. The fall filled itself with dual-enrollment courses, senior events, college applications and official visits, athletic seasons, and Homecoming formals… and, despite my excitement for her as she embraces her next chapter, I long for the days of ponytails, ribbons, and sandcastles.
Embrace.
These moments were important.
These moments deserved my attention.
The happy tears. The sad tears. The “I miss you so much it hurts” tears.
The smiles filled with pride. The smiles that are hiding pain.
The big accomplishments. The small victories. The losses.
EMBRACE was the perfect word to carry me through 2019.
2020 is different.
Each year, I wait patiently for the word to find me – in a quote, in a song, or in a book that I am reading, or in a conversation. I reach for a word that is different… not from a list. With only hours before this year’s chapter closes, I had started to worry that my word had not emerged.
I pondered. I researched. I thought. I reflected.
And, finally, with the help of my dear friend Erin, it happened.
My #OneWord2020 will be FOCUS.
Last year gifted me with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but, through it all, I embraced the journey. This year, I want to focus more on what is most important: My faith, my health, my family, my friendships, my personal passions, and my professional growth. While I will continue to embrace challenges and adventures, I want a clear FOCUS with my time and my attention.
In 2020, I vow to FOCUS on what is most important by
- Challenging myself personally and professionally
- Celebrating the journey and small accomplishments towards big goals
- Making productive shifts in how I invest my time
- Embracing opportunities to be imperfectly human
- Being more present
- Investing in my health with nutrition and activity
- Finding joy in less
- Saying goodbye so that I can say hello
- Starting all over again…and again…and again…
#OneWord2020 Focus
Cheers to your New Year,
Holly