One Word

One Word 2023

OneWord2023. 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 with their #OneWord2023 carefully selected to frame their year. Meghan Markle and other celebrities have embraced this trend. Everyone your turn, people are posting their words – coupled with incredible blogposts and graphics.

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 include Fearless (2014), Move (2015), Simplify (2016), Intentional (2017), Cultivate (2018), Embrace (2019), Focus (2020), Invest (2021), and Believe (22).

Last year’s selection, BELIEVE, was necessary. As the year unfolded, we faced a multitude of personal and professional milestones. Both of my daughters graduated: the oldest from college and the youngest from high school. I had to BELIEVE that the universe would ensure they made the best decision for their next paths. Professionally, my workplace changed with an avalanche of resignations and new hires. I had BELIEVE in the positivity of change, looking ahead to a bright and innovative future.

2022 was one for the record books.

2023, however, is a different story.

Each year, I wait patiently for the word to find me – in a quote, in a song, in a book that I am reading, or in a conversation. January 1 came and went, and I was still without the perfect word.

I pondered. I researched. I thought. I reflected.

As I folded the last pieces of laundry while listening to a Peloton podcast, the podcaster used this word… aha! That is it!

My #OneWord2023 will be TRANSFORM.

Transformation requires planning, investment, commitment, and work. This year, I vow to TRANSFORM myself – personally, physically, and professionally – that I am capable of the goals that I have set for myself. They are lofty, but I have the time, energy, and skills to crush them.

Physically TRANSFORM my body through movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and self-care.
Personally TRANSFORM me through reading and podcasts.
Professionally TRANSFORM the way that our district communicates with stakeholders.
Professionally TRANSFORM opportunities for teachers to engage in professional learning.
Personally TRANSFORM my home into a place that I love.

I hope that you join me on the journey!

#OneWord2023 Transform.

Cheers to your New Year,
Holly

One Word 2022

OneWord2022. 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 with their #OneWord2022 carefully selected to frame their year. EVERYone is eager to say Goodbye to 2021, so I am not surprised to experience a renewed energy in resolutions and goals for the new year.

Previous #OneWord selections include Fearless (2014), Move (2015), Simplify (2016), Intentional (2017), Cultivate (2018), Embrace (2019), Focus (2020), and Invest (2021).

Last year’s selection, INVEST, turned out to be particularly important amidst the continued pandemic that impacted every profession, especially health care and education. In a world where flexibility and the ability to pivot on a dime were traits that kept us afloat, the need to INVEST in what was most important was critical. As we move into 2022 with a hope of a return to normalcy, I hope that we take what we intentionally weave what we have learned into the years ahead. Our newfound skills – as parents, teahers, and students – are the ingredients to transform the future of education, a change that is long overdue.

As the world around us changed at the speed of light, my FOCUS shifted, too. As a result, I changed how I invested in myself, my family, my friends, my community, and my career. With intention, I invested in what I could control: my response to a pandemic. No, I could not control the outbreaks in my area, the decisions made by local and state governmental agencies, or the rapid-fire cancellations that stole hopes and dreams. I invested in opportunities to unplug, as the slower pace of life gave us space to simply be. I invested in relationships, personal growth, adventures, and enjoying the world around me. I invested in my health and my home. We decluttered our home of physical things, while filling our lives with memories of beach days, great reads in the porch swing, runs on empty roads, and photogenic sunsets.

Last year was tough…but equally amazing.

These moments deserved my investment.

We celebrated: The big accomplishments, the small victories, and the things that bring smiles to everyday life.

While INVEST was selected for an entirely different reason, it turned out to be the perfect word to maintain my positive compass as I traveled through 2021.

2022, however, is a different story.

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 minutes 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, sitting on a sidewalk with my daughter, waiting for the new year to ring in, it hit me…

My #OneWord2022 will be BELIEVE.

Last year, I invested…but, to truly reap the benefits of an investment, you must also BELIEVE in the possibility. This year, I vow to believe in myself – that I am capable of the goals that I have set for myself. They are lofty, but I have the time, energy, and skills to crush them.

I hope that you join me on the journey!

Believe that I can achieve the best physical health of my life through movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and self-care
Believe that I can grow in my professional career through reading, listening, and learning
Believe that I can create
Believe that I can lead
Believe that my voice and ideas have value.
Believe I am worthy of gratitude and joy

#OneWord2022 Believe

Cheers to your New Year,

Holly

#OneWord2020

#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.

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