Poster print via Poster Inspired.
My word for 2012 is up.
It came to me one day last month while I was working in the kitchen and the kids were watching the movie Up. My initial connection to the word stems from the part towards the end where the old man is looking at the scrapbook his wife made and a note she wrote to him at the end which says something along the lines of “Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one.” (Found the clip here.)
That’s the attitude I’d like to be working towards and embracing in 2012 – giving thanks for the things that were great about my marriage and then moving forward and welcoming whatever is coming next.
Up | ready, eager, open, awake, into a happy mood
There were so many words I could have chosen for what I want for myself in 2012. This one simply feels like a good starting place. I will also be carrying three of my past words close to my heart again in 2012: light, story, and peace.
Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)? There’s no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It’s not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2012. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. In a couple days I’ll combine all the words into a single post – super inspiring to see all the words in one place.
In a couple of days I’ll post a compilation of the words as an inspirational reminder to us all.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Above is an image of all my prompts from my album that I made for my One Little Word class at Big Picture in 2011.
Registration is open for 2012 and you’re invited to join the journey.
Each month you’ll receive a prompt with a simple creative, writing, or photography project and a gentle reminder to check back in with your word. By the end of the year you’ll have compiled the contents of an 8.5×11 album that documents, defines, celebrates and generally makes your word more visible. Workshop materials include printable elements, full-color PDF handouts, and video presentations.
People have been asking me if you have to be a scrapbooker for this class. My answer is no. Even though we are making an album it’s really more of a journaling/record keeping/thinking/exploring project. I’m excited to see how people interpret the prompts and make them meaningful for their own lives.
This is not complicated and it’s not time-consuming. It’s simply a way we can come together to share our experience with our words throughout the course of the year.
The One Little Word classroom opens on January 1, 2012.
TODAY’S POST SPONSORED BY | Simplify 101 Online Workshops
Regardless what word you select, choosing a word means you want to make your life even better than it is today. The very essence of One Little Word is improving your life, which is why this online workshop is perfect for you. It gives you the foundation, ideas and inspiration you need to dream about a life you love, plus concrete action steps to help you make it happen! Use code: ONELITTLEWORD through January 6, 2012 to take 15% off any simplify 101 workshop (may not be combined with other offers). ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101 | Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun!
![Two Peas](http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10513/24901/21775/26723/image.jpg"width="120"height="240"style="border:0px;"alt=)
My OLW for 2012 is faith. I have many changes coming in the first part of the year that will test and try me. I chose faith because I have faith in God, my husband and my family but I really need to have faith in myself. I know that I can meet the changes that are coming, but I need faith in ME to weather the storm and come out on top. FAITH that is my word!!
My word for 2012 is ATTITUDE. Attitude is something that I can control even if I can’t control anything else. I want to work on making my attitude a positive one this year. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and how it changes my attitude throughout 2012.
I had a word for the last month or two, but when I started thinking about it, after Christmas, I realized it came from a negative place. And I work at finding the positives, wherever they may be. So, clearly that word that had attached itself to me wasn’t going to work.
After a lot of thought, I found my word: Animate. :>
My word for this year is accept. It has many meanings. I hope I can learn to accept what happens in my life and around me.
live
/laɪv/
[ONLY BEFORE NOUN] living and not dead
my word is live, the adjective
I’ve been gifted with a starring role in this performance, a one woman show, a single shot at life. My family, my friends, loved ones that I’ve yet to meet, are my live audience. I’d like to give them all a brilliant performance!
Focus. I want to be more organized, get fit, be more present in the moment with my kiddos and my hubby, simplify my commitments, etc., etc., etc. In short, FOCUS on what’s important.
My word for 2012 is Peace.
My high stress levels and my obsession with perfection almost cost me my health,, my family and my marriage. I have suffered with this for years and only now has it come bubbling to the surface and is affecting my everyday life. I am working very hard on finding inner peace and in turn help me to move forward and deal with my hurdles without hurting those I love the most.
After being a lurker and admirer for years (since I started scrapbooking in 2001) I am finally going to put pen to paper and a camera to my eye to help me document and heal the pain I have endured.
Thank you Ali
wow … “up” is a wonderful word …
My word for 2012 is “discipline” … I really need (laughs)
happy 2012
I wrote about last years word HEALTHY on my blog yesterday…it was a complete WASH for me is so many ways (we have had a tough year physical health wise as well as financial health, spiritual health etc) The word ended up haunting me as I just couldn’t turn my attitude around about it once things started piling up! Ah…it did make me think about what WAS healthy in our life…anyway you can read about it here:
http://dancinglydenise.typepad.com/a_day_in_my_life/2011/12/one-little-word.html
I am so stuck on my word for this year (well not really…it showed up a few weeks ago and i can’t GET RID OF IT! LOL It’s not one of those words you can put on a pretty necklace…or find on a nice sign to hang up. It isn’t a yucky word…I just wanted something that sounded more intense…deep…sensitive…LOL My word appears to be PROJECT… as in all the projects I have started and not finished INCLUDING health projects, art projects, items for the kids, household projects…you name it! PROJECTS…there I said it! Think I will still get a necklace:)
Thanks for doing this every year! I take the class…and hope to actually DO it this year as one of my projects! and I am not giving up on HEALTHY just in case anyone thought I was.
Thanks again Ali!
Denise
I have chosen the word “light”… I will also be taking Allie’s class.
My word for this year is CREATE. My husband and I just found out we are having our first baby, so while I create that little one, I’m also so excited to do my first Project Life book and now the OLW class!! I feel so inspired right now and hope I can keep this up through the year!
This will be my 4th year and I love the idea to holding on to one word and livivng with it to improve my year. This year my word is focus.
My OLW is Climb!
Wrote a post on the meaning it will have for me in this coming year! http://www.prettypaperparfait.com/2011/12/31/olw2012/
Hope you’ll visit and leave some comments! Success and blessings to you all in 2012!
When I think about 2012, the word “live” jumps out at me. Our time and loved ones are valuable, and this year, I want to make sure they know that. To say what I think and what I feel about those in my life. If I say my family is the most important thing, then I sure hope they feel it, and it is my goal this year that I live in a way that reflects my priorities. Years and lives pass by way too quickly, and there is too much room for regret.
My Mom’s word is… time.
Mine is… Faith.
My word for this year is intentional.
I have never participated in One Little Word and as I thought about my word choice, ‘intentional’ jumped out right away. I’m thinking about signing up for the class too. It will probably help to keep me focused on this goal for myself and for my family. Thank you for the inspiration.
My word is SEARCH.
You only find what you search for. My aim to is search for the good in a day, event, and of course opportunities.
I am having a hard time selecting a word. Last year I selected the word “Happy” but did not follow through on it. 2011 was a hard year for me. Many things happened to make me look at my life through different eyes. I have discovered that as my kids get older, my focus needs to shift from their happiness and identity to my own. I had discovered some things about my husband that made me realize that I can’t base all of my worth in my role as a wife and mother. Wheras all my previous planning was for the four of us, my kids and husband have their own hobbies and schedules and I must now seek my own identity. For that reason, the word “Self” popped into my mind. 2012 will hopefully be the year that I rediscover myself. What are my dreams? Passions?
I will have to think about this for a little bit longer but I think I have found my word. Hopefully, it will help me figure out what I want.
My word for 2012 is RESTORE.
I was starting to worry that I wouldnt find my word. Then I started to think about what I wanted to accomplish And 3 aspects of my life stood out. After some thought this word came to me.
REFLECTION:
-The production of an image; because I want to improve my photography.
-Careful or long consideration or thought; because I want to be mindful of what I say and do
-State of being reflected; because I want to change the image i put forth both physically and spiritually
Be Present. Maybe not one word…but it is what I feel I need to focus on.
My word for this year is “go.” I’m two years out of college, still living with my mom – and more than ready to start my own life adventures away from home. Hoping my word inspires me to make the changes necessary to really go for my dreams.
I have finally decided on CHERISH as my one little word.
Ali, I wish you all the best in 2012.
I have chosen the word “strong” for my first OLW project. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis last March and it has really changed my life in so many ways. I want to be “strong” in trying to get this disease in control, be a “strong” parent to my children (we have 2 teenagers and a 10 y o so I think I need to be strong!), a “strong” partner to my husband who has definetly picked up the slack since I’ve been sick and I want my faith to be stronger this year.
Thank you so much to all of you for sharing your words-there are so many great ones! I look forward to this journey.
I think I may have finally found a word I like. Strive…I was going to use better but it just sounded harsh and I don’t want to face that each month. So…strive has some of the same meaning. What I wanted to be better at I can strive to be.
Everywhere I go to order the class supplies is out of stock!!!! Amazon had all 3 but the shipping was as much as the items as they were coming from different sellers. Poo!
My word for *last* year was “temple,” as in the body is the temple that houses the soul. I chose the word with intentions on developing a better mind-body-soul connection within, and to improve my health/losing weight. Then I got pregnant in April, and I must say the word took on an entirely different, and very special, meaning as I experienced pregnancy for the first time.
I am two weeks away from my due date. As I contemplate motherhood, one word jumps out at me: NURTURE. It was Ali’s word a few years ago (when she was pregnant with Anna, perhaps?) and I’ve loved the word from afar ever since. Now it seems to be beckoning me.
Here’s to a great 2012!
Very Cool idea for 2012! I read through all the posts and love the different ideas. I think the word that speaks to me is transform. I’m on the verge of being an empty nester and feel that it’s time to start a new chapter on what life can look and feel like from here on. I always have trouble with New Year goals because they seem overwhelming to me, but this seems doable. I’d like to transform my mind, transform my body, and transform my spirit in big and small ways in the coming year!
Cheers!
My word for 2012 is choisir (french word for choose). It has always been a big issue for me to make choices and it often keeps me from taking action.
my word this year is organic.
i work at a whole foods market in new york city so organic is something in my life daily for work (and work is a major part of my life) but at the same time i just want to go back to being more basic, simpler, to the “core”, raw, etc. overall in me and all facets of me in 2012.
xoxo. to all of you doing one little word this year.
I had such a hard time coming up with my word, but after going through all the comments before mine (yes, all!) I was drawn to blossom, flourish and grow, and I think I’m going to go with GROW, with the idea that after GROWTH will come BLOSSOM then FLOURISH… .
I finally picked my word.
I resisted it, but it just kept coming back …
It’s DO.
I blogged about it here.
http://www.kimberlykalil.com/2011/12/one-little-word.html
I’ve been thinking about this all day. Prayed about it. The one little word I keep coming back to is: CHANGE 1.) Change my lifestyle. (eating habits, exersizing, staying up too late!, etc.) 2.) Change our LIFE. (my hubby getting work, move nearer to our daughter, be able to pay our bills, etc.) Change the time I spend outdoors. (I have a horrible habit of not going outdoors. So, when the sun is shining…go sit in it!!) So, in a nutshell…There’s so much in my {our} lives that NEEF to be CHANGED!!!
*NEED
I love your word! I love the start of a new year and the opportunities that it can bring. I have been following your OLW for a few years now, but only decided to actually commit to thinking of my own lately! Last year my OLW was “family” and I think by the end I feel our family has strengthened and are leaving 2011 on a postitive note. My OLW for 2012 seems to be “accomplish”. There are things I would like to accomplish this year, more organisation, more energy and movement, and the list goes on! I think “accomplish” for me is a positive inspiration that I can do it if I’m feeling things are getting on top of me.
Thank you for inspiring me to look at my life more closely and having the faith that I can change things if I want by changing the way I think.
All the best for your upward and onward journey
I have thought long and hard about my word for 2012. In 2011, I chose the word “organize” but I think I bit off more than I could chew with that one. For this coming year, the word that I keep coming back to is “patience.”
My word is ‘try’.
I am hoping to try new things year, try to get more done and try to work on a few things that need working on. Bless you Ali and your loved ones in 2012. I love getting to spend a few days with you each year. January brings us one month closer to October !! Take care, Mary Lib
My word is yet.
I just read on Pat Sloan’s blog about choosing a word and I think this was meant for me. My word is FOCUS. I need to focus on getting healthier, focus on family, focus on learning something new…I could go on and on.
I’ve been considering several words but the word EXPLORE keeps surfacing. Although I enjoy traveling, I’m not thinking about exploring new places as much as I am wanting to explore people and things. In 2012 I want to get to know people better; explore new recipes, new skills, etc. Most of all, I want to explore who I was, who I am and who I want to be.
This is the first year I’m participating. My word is Faith. I’m always so hard on myself when things don’t work out like I hope, or don’t go as planned. I feel as if I’m to blame, or responsible, in some way. This year I’m going work really hard to put everything into my word, and know that things will be ok, no matter how they turn out.
I’m chosing the word, “Breathe”.
Last year I choose the word Encompassing. It became a perfect word in retrospect. In 2012 I am chosing Intention. I am treating it more of the idea of how i intentionaly want to live my life. I blog about it here.
http://tadlafleur.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-word-of-year.html
Have a wonderful 2012.
After serious thought and consideration, I have chosen two words. The first word is “release”. I have a horrible habit of holding grudges and I seem to have the inability to let go of people or things that have hurt me in the past. I want to spend 2012 releasing all of the anger and all of the hurt and all of the bad feelings. I want more peace in my life. But before I can have peace, I need to release the anger and the hurt and let go of hate. I thought about choosing “forgive”, but not all of my hurt and anger is associated with forgiving people. So instead, I will begin 2012 with RELEASE. The second word is “embrace”. 2012 will be filled with so many changes for my family. We are an Army family and the frequency of our moves have really picked up the pace in the past few years. We moved in 2009, again in 2011 and we will move yet again in 2012. Less than two weeks after we move in 2012, my husband will deploy back to Afghanistan for 13 months. Just a few months later our son will start high school and I will begin looking for yet another job. That is a lot of change in one year, and although we are an Army family and we are technically “used to” change, that is still a lot to face. But I know what’s coming, I know I’ll get through it, so I will simply EMBRACE the change as best I can.
My word this year is SOAR . I was listening to a bunch of songs that talked about “Flying” and I want more than just flying.. I want to climb out of my protective shell and really excel this year. Take chances and SOAR to my potential
I have to admit that I’m taking my word from a comment here. I knew in my heart what I wanted but couldn’t find the word to express it. Then I read the comments and the word “breathe” appeared! Had almost decided on Simplify but often I find I’m not breathing and have to consciously make myself breathe. Here’s to 2012 and I hope I start breathing naturally without thinking.Taking a deep breath as I start 2012!
It took me awhile to decide – at first I chose “thirst” – and then it sat with me for week and I realized what I was most thirty for was “delight.”
GRACE. My word chose me for many reasons that I am already starting to figure out.
I’m energized by my word choice this year! I’m stepping away from learning and growing on the serious side…this year my word is play! I can’t think of a better way to help with making it present in my daily life than your class prompts, Ali! I’m looking forward to 2012!
complete
…as in, following through to completion. I’m an habitual procrastinator and have not completed any creative projects that I’ve begun in the past three years. And I’m simply tired of being “unfinished.” So, my word is COMPLETE. And hopefully, in pursuing the *action* I will also find it defining ME, as well.
PERSEVERE is my little word for 2012. I’ve been doing this for several years and this is the one that is going to help me focus on what I need to do this year. I need to persevere with my goals that I set last year, including my counsellor/coach training, my search for work, my relationships, my home, my writing, my dreams, my family,….it is the perfect word for where I am right now!!!
Real.
Real food
Real things
Real time
Real relationships
Real love
Real effort
Real goals
Just. Be real.
Real about what I can accomplish. Be real about what I need and want. Be real about life.. Here’s to 2012! Best year yet!