One Little Word 2010

I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.

Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.

Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.

Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.

2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]

Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.

Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.

Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.

My word for 2010 is STORY.

I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.

Have you chosen your word yet?

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669 thoughts

  1. Esther (New Zealnd) says…
    12/28/2009

    A word from you post jumped out at me - POTENTIAL - I'm going with that because I feel I can apply it to so many areas of my life.
    Thank you for sharing so much of you life with us Ali. may we all live up to our own Potential :)

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  2. emily says…
    12/28/2009

    I am new to this concept and new to your blog (I heard about you via Shutter Sisters) and I LOVE IT!
    My word for 2010 is Endeavor. With a capital E.
    I'll be posting about it on my blog in the coming days. Thank you for sharing this idea with us.
    Best in 2010!
    -Emily.

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  3. JanineBoyd says…
    12/28/2009

    I've been thinking for the past few weeks about my word for 2010. I love how the words I've chosen the past 2 years have become a real part of who I am (I chose 'simplify' and 'create') and I really want next year's word to have the same impact. I'm torn between JOY and CALM at the moment, but I'm feeling that more calm in my life would bring more joy - is this my word calling me? I look forward to more of your stories in the next year :)

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  4. Megan says…
    12/28/2009

    Last year my word was hope. At the time I was struggling with infertility, trying to become a mom.
    This year I'm in the same place and facing my fifth and last IVF try in February.
    My word is still hope. Or maybe HOPE in all caps.

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  5. yolanda says…
    12/28/2009

    After going through a difficult year this year my word this year is enough. I want to explore this and know that I have enough of love, life, living,etc. I may not have extra but enough is plenty to live an abundant life.

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  6. amy t schubert says…
    12/28/2009

    Ali - thanks for always inspiring us ... I've been thinking about participating and choosing my word for the last couple years but never have.
    But this year .... My word will be RISK.
    As in, I'm going to RISK failure to try to reach farther and accomplish the goals I've only thought about in the past.
    I'll post more on my blog in the coming weeks, probably ...

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  7. Busymomma66 says…
    12/28/2009

    I think my word for 2010 is Begin.
    Begin to start taking care of myself.
    Begin searching for a love life.
    Begin following my dreams.
    Just begin!!

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  8. Valerie says…
    12/28/2009

    My word this year is me. Selfish I know, but for so many years I've concentrated on being a good wife, a good mother, a good daughter, and now I find myself on the cusp of 40, and I think this is the year that I need to put a little work into me. Honestly I don't know how well it will work, but I'm going to try to be mindful of taking care of myself while taking care of the rest of my family. Me.

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  9. Susan Cokley says…
    12/28/2009

    I woke up at 2.30am this morning (even before I read your post)with lots of 'stuff' running through my head. In the midst of it two words emerged "REGAIN CONTROL".

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  10. Melle Broaderick says…
    12/28/2009

    Ali, I joined you w/ this idea last year and truly enjoyed the it - thank you!
    Last year was "aspire" - I was so eager to learn more, to be more than what I was at the time. It was inspiration that served me well. :)
    This year, I'd like to go w/ "believe". I love this word because it has so many possibilities....
    God Bless Ali - and thank you again for sharing the gift of YOU w/ all of US!
    Melle in FL

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  11. Irene says…
    12/28/2009

    I didn't have to think hard about my word for 2010. It is write. I already started write our story this year and made a very good restart with YT (which I have not yet finished but will in the future). I want to keep on writing. Which will not be hard because I get so much joy in reading what I wrote (remembering it all) and seeing others reading it and enjoying it.
    Thanks. Ali
    Irene

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  12. D'Nese says…
    12/28/2009

    Over the past 11 years I believe that I've lost many things within myself that I need to get back. The first word that comes to mind for me for the 2010 year is, "restore.
    I am making it my goal to restore all my inner faith, to restore my values, my self worth and my well being.
    This WILL happen for me this year and I look very forward to making the positive change for myself and my family.

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  13. Dawn-Rene says…
    12/28/2009

    I have resisted the urge to pick a word for the year. But this year, reading your blog one word came screaming out . . .
    SIMPLIFY -
    I need to do that in all areas of my life! I feel like my life is cluttered literally and figuratively.

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  14. jackie says…
    12/28/2009

    I think my word will be thoughtful as in be thoughtful with my time, activities, words. Be thoughtful with the types of things, people etc I surround myself with. I'm hoping thoughtful will also lead into reflection. Thanks for the reminder!

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  15. Melanie K. says…
    12/28/2009

    I am going to choose ... JOURNAL ... meaning I want to actively keep an art journal and in whatever way it comes out. Pictures, words, random bits of flotsam, or jetsam? LOL, anyway, I admire all those on the web, I subscribe to Art Journaling magazine. It is time for me to do it. For me. I will probably even look at it like a type of scrapbook. Maybe that will make it easier for me to do. I so hope this year gets cheerier and brighter than last year.

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  16. Kim says…
    12/28/2009

    I chose a word last year after reading your blog, my word was HOPE.
    For 2010 my word is PASSION(ATE). If I choose to do something it is to be with passion otherwise I need to consider whether it is the right thing to do, instead of saying yes to anything/everything and getting stressed if it feels right I will do it with PASSION.
    Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year xxx

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  17. Esther says…
    12/28/2009

    I never could come up with a word for myself, but this year I don't even have to think about it. It is 'letting go'. (In Dutch this is one word! ;-) )
    This is what I need to do this year. I will sing my mantra many times!
    Let it go, let it go, let it go.

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  18. {vicki} says…
    12/28/2009

    GAJILLION is my word (not sure if that is a real word or not) But..........
    I plan on accomplishing a GAJILLION things this year. Big and Small--- and looking forward to each one!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Susan Hessler says…
    12/28/2009

    Dear Ali,
    I've taken classes and made scrapbooks with you that are wonderful and meaningful. But perhaps the biggest impact you have had on me and my family has been with the one little word. In 2007 my word was roots - and it brought me home and work that I love, in 2008 my word was breathe - and it made a huge difference, in 2009 my word was joy - and it might have been too big of a word, it was a very hard year. Last year my oldest daughter chose balance as her word - and she really pulled her life together. She has already chosed grow as her word for 2010. I am still considering...I need a nourishing, kind and optimistic word - I am thinking about dream and I am thinking about loved. I'll let you know.
    Thanks so much!! Susan

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  20. Danielle says…
    12/28/2009

    I think my word for 2010 is Create! Of course I want to create scrapbook and craft projects but I also want to work on my novel and create a happy healthy home and family, create a safe haven for friends and family I just want to create something special in everything I do in 2010

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  21. DawnS says…
    12/28/2009

    I never did guess the right "S" word on twitter! Story is a great word. You do such a fabulous job of telling your own story already...and you also help all of "us" with getting our stories told as well :)

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  22. Sara says…
    12/28/2009

    Move. It came to me instantly and has multiple meanings to me this coming year.

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  23. christine says…
    12/28/2009

    I pondered and pondered about my word for 2010 and it didn't hit me till I read Anna's word and that was it.
    My word for 2010 is WHOLEHEARTED.
    To pursue everything wholeheartedly, family, work, art, journaling everthing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Leslie says…
    12/28/2009

    My word is BEGIN.

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  25. Emily Palmerton Dengler says…
    12/28/2009

    My word for 2010 is: Breathe. Instead of worrying about the what-if's, I'm going to focus on the what's-happening-now's.

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