One Little Word 2013

One Little Word necklace from Lisa Leonard.

My word for 2013 is open.

Last year I had a great story about how my word came to me. This year it was more of a whisper and to be honest I'm not really sure what it means for me right now, or what it will end up meaning for me 12-months from now. And I'm okay with that.

Open is an attitude and an approach. It's a reminder to live wholeheartedly, to enter the ring, to live the length and the width. It's how I want to tackle this year.

I love that open is an action & a re-action. I can act with an open heart; I can re-act with an open heart.

I want to be open to it all - the amazing and the challenging. Wide open.

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 2013. 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.

If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

One Little Word necklace from Liz Lamoreux. Use ONELITTLEWORD and receive 15% off through Jan 31.

ONE LITTLE WORD WORKSHOP

Registration is open for 2013 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 8.5x11 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, 2013.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

916 thoughts

  1. Anna Vollmer says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is NURTURE. I plan to learn how to nurture myself and those around me this year, with an extra special focus on the little one growing inside me arriving in July!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Aimee Giese | Greeblemonkey says…
    12/27/2012

    I need to think about one word, but I love yours - and I am very excited and... well HOPEFUL about this year. Perhaps that is my word.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Christina @ The Scrappy Housewife says…
    12/27/2012

    Mine is Create. Hopefully I can "create" what we're doing in January. My supplies haven't shipped yet! :-P I can't wait to get started.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Charissa M says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is ENJOY. I've spent the last few years of my life very stressed, very overwhelmed and I'm not enjoying and appreciating all of the wonder and blessings around me. This year is about recapturing the joy in all aspects of my life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jodi says…
    12/27/2012

    This year my word is COURAGE. I turn 40 in 2013 and want to do so courageously.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. louise says…
    12/27/2012

    I'm keeping 'clean' again this year, I feel I'm in the middle of it and I'm not done yet! It still speaks to me!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Carissa says…
    12/27/2012

    My word for this year is "imperfect" because I need to remember that it's ok to not be perfect. A little imperfection makes life (and me) much more interesting!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. ArlaMo says…
    12/27/2012

    After a year full of health problems and setbacks, my word for 2013 is HEAL.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. EmmaJ says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is gentle. I read a few books about the Amish this past year and one of the things that stood out to me is how gentle they are, especially as parents. I would like to react in a more gentle manner to my children and life in general. I tend to be kind of intense and would like to calm that down.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Michelle N says…
    12/27/2012

    After a year that ended with heartbreak, 2013 is about: RENEWAL. And I think it will take me most of the year to figure out what that means to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jodi says…
    12/27/2012

    Shine! Not going to hide my light...

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. DarlaN says…
    12/27/2012

    My word for next year will be "listen". I want to be quiet and listen to the people and sounds around me. I need to stop feeling that I have to share so many of my own stories and opinions.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Liz says…
      12/31/2012

      I'm considering several words, this one really resonates with me and is one I hadn't been thinking of. good luck - to both of us!

  13. Cristina says…
    12/27/2012

    My OLW for 2013 is CLARIFY. Clarify what matters and what doesn't. What I need & don't. How I want to spend my time and what my future roadmap will be. Xoxo

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Beth says…
    12/27/2012

    My OLW for 2013 is Every Day (Everyday). I haven't completely worked out why/how but soon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Kristina M says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is happiness. I want to focus on the happiness in my life. I am very excited about this "project". It will be a first for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. April S says…
    12/27/2012

    Renew
    "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Mari K says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is THRIVE. We survived 2012 we will THRIVE in 2013.

    http://marikocreations.blogspot.com/2012/12/getting-excited-for-2013.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Ximena says…
    12/27/2012

    My word will be CELEBRATE. I want to celebrate the everyday, to celebrate my talents, to celebrate my good fortune AND the good fortune of others. In short, to celebrate just being alive. Can't wait to begin the class!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kimberly A. Wiener says…
    12/27/2012

    My Word: TIME.

    I heard this song by the Byrds and it clutched at my heart strings. I need time to savor all the little things, and make time for me too. Good luck everyone in the New Year!

    ;;;;;;Lyrics:::::::

    To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

    A time to be born, a time to die
    A time to plant, a time to reap
    A time to kill, a time to heal
    A time to laugh, a time to weep

    To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

    A time to build up,a time to break down
    A time to dance, a time to mourn
    A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

    To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

    A time of love, a time of hate
    A time of war, a time of peace
    A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

    To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
    And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

    A time to gain, a time to lose
    A time to rend, a time to sew
    A time for love, a time for hate
    A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

    Credits: Songwriters: WORDS FROM THE BOOK OF, ECCLESIASTESFRENCH, GEORGE ABER ADAPTATION AND, PETE SEEGER

    Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes
    Music-Pete Seeger

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. emily_hope says…
      12/29/2012

      Love it!

  20. Nirupama Kumar says…
    12/27/2012

    My word is COLOR. Last year my word was be. And i think i did pretty well with it. I got comfortable with where I am and comfortable in my own skin. Realized how happy I am at home just in our routine. I want to mix it up a little this year and start reaching farther. Add a little more color to our house, change up our routine, make new friends, and expand my creative ideas too. Excited to start this journey.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. MaryJ says…
    12/27/2012

    I had decided on LIGHT(ER) but I think I will just go with LIGHTER. That probably doesn't make sense, but it does to me. ;-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Amy B says…
    12/27/2012

    My One Little Word for 2013 is CLASS. As in classy in dress, make-up, outward appearance. I have been lacking in this area for awhile now. Not taking the time to care about how I look. I think I need to toss the old maternity shirts that are my standard wardrobe. Especially since my youngest is 8. I need to wear make up and do my hair more. Instead of a ponytail, sans makeup, or jewelry most of the time. My poor husband :( Bleh!
    Also CLASS as in descretion, care of the use of my words, smile, poise and presentation. Reactions to difficult people and situations. Thus creating a happy home.
    Then lastly CLASS as in school. Focus on teaching and staying on top of things. Also as in college, and exploring what it might take to become a book editor. And very last but not least, CLASS as in Being more open to taking online classes to increase my knowledge and artistic abilities within the area of scrapbooking and other crafts I enjoy.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Stacey says…
      12/27/2012

      Amy that's wonderful that you are going to start taking care of you again!

    2. Juliette says…
      12/27/2012

      Love your word and what you shared, which shows so much...well, class!

  23. Antoinette Seminario-Skinner says…
    12/27/2012

    My Word for 2013 is going to be Balance, or maybe Fly. I need balance so I can let go, spread my wings and fly. I will probably go with Balance this year. 2014 can be Fly, since that will be the year I turn 40.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Antoinette Seminario-Skinner says…
      12/27/2012

      Thank you Stacey! I will!

    2. Stacey says…
      12/27/2012

      Antoinette, there's a website called FlyLady.net and her definition of FLY-ing - is Finally Loving Yourself. She's got some great tips, you should check it out.

  24. Cathie says…
    12/27/2012

    my word is CARE. it found me back in October. I was thinking about a different word but then I started noticing the word "care" again and again. It has so many applications for my life right now. It's perfect.

    my 2012 OLW is JOY. I'm still very conscious of it and I know it will be a part of my journey this year, too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Stacey says…
    12/27/2012

    My word for 2013 is present. With returning to work full time this year, in addition to homeschooling my 10 yo DD for medical reasons since August, I feel pulled in a million directions. I want to focus on being 'present' in the moment as much as possible. Additionally, both of my kids had serious, potentially life threatening health scares this year and the fact that they are both 'present' is a 'present' to me. I'm looking forward to being PRESENT in your One Little Word class as well!

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.