One Little Word® 2017 | Connect

Another trip around the sun is coming to a close. 

My overwhelming feeling at the end of this year is wholehearted thankfulness. For the whole of it. The hard parts and the easy parts and the parts in between. It's something we can count on - that crazy mixture of highs and lows and normals - throughout the 365 days we call a year in our lives. 

I absolutely loved focusing on the word "whole" as my One Little Word® for 2016. It is a word that I will carry with me for the rest of my life - "open" is another one that I feel strongly about. Whole challenged me in the ways I needed to be challenged and wrapped me up in goodness in so many other ways. I loved asking questions about the different pieces of my own whole and looking deeper into what it means to me to feel "whole." 

It's crazy when I think back on all the words I've had over the years (I started this practice in 2006):

  • Play
  • Peace
  • Vitality
  • Nurture
  • Story
  • Light
  • Up
  • Open
  • Thrive
  • Give
  • Whole

For 2017 I'm choosing to explore my life through the lens of the word "connect."

I'm ending 2016 and beginning 2017 by connecting directly and in person with my immediate family (parents, brother, sister + all their families) at my parents house on the coast. I'm already including "connect" in daily thoughts as I go about the regular stuff of my life - asking myself how I'm connecting with this and that and especially focusing on what I can disconnect from (love the angle of including the opposite of my word). 

This blended family life is offering me a whole lot of opportunities for connection and I don't want to miss those. We've all been sinking in to this "new normal" around here - life is such a series of "new normals" isn't it? We get used to a situation or a piece of our lives and then something changes - for better or worse - and then we are forced (either kicking and screaming or accepting or a crazy combination of those emotions) to adapt to the "new" normal. What I have learned over the last so many years is that we are always riding that wave - either in the beginning or the end or somewhere in between. It is life. It is our life. What we get to choose is how we respond and live through all those moments. 

In 2017 I hope to specifically investigate areas related to connecting with myself, connecting with others (especially family and community), connecting with work, and connecting with nature/outdoors (I feel a strong pull towards that this year). I also plan to focus on the idea of disconnecting in order to make sure I'm living in alignment with my highest values. 

If you'd like to hear me talk more about this topic, check out a new podcast I did earlier this week with Elise about our words from last year and this year. It's a very candid conversation about what's worked and not worked related to both choosing and living with our words. 

My wonderful little heart shown above is from Liz Lamoreux and is called a Whole Heart Pocket Talisman. It's a wonderful way to keep your word close throughout the year. 

SHARE YOUR WORD IN THE COMMENTS

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2017. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and 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: 200720082009201020112012201320142015 and 2016.

JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR WORDS VISIBLE

To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one creative prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31, 2016. I've also created a selection of products to help you document your journey with your word - check those out here (stamps will be restocked later in January and we have a pre-order happening for an additional restock of the blue albums that will arrive in late March/early April). During the One Little Word® 2017 Kick-Off ordering period (between now and 1/31/17), items featured on the One Little Word® 2017 page are eligible for free shipping domestic and $5 international. If you add any other items from the shop to your cart, normal shipping rates will apply to those additional items.

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430 thoughts

  1. Lovemanknits says…
    12/31/2016

    release

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. takeheart_tara says…
    12/31/2016

    LIGHT.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. helloalice says…
    12/31/2016

    I am a bit torn when it comes to choosing a single word for the year.

    But so far I have Focus or Passion.

    This will be the first year that I am going to give one little word a go. Hopefully I will be able to pin down which one to go with before tomorrow!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. DonnaM says…
    12/31/2016

    CURIOUS

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. melmartin says…
    12/31/2016

    LOOK...for new experiences, at new perspectives, for opportunities...at myself from the outside and inside.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. sortedscrapper says…
    12/31/2016

    Wild is my word for 2017. I sat with a few other words related to connection with others and relationship that I want to work on. As I looked deeper I found that I needed something more. So far I have played safe and this year I want to stir things up. To be wild and free.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. courtneyrnewton says…
    12/31/2016

    Purpose started to resonate with me back in October. I am determined to live a more purposeful life in 2017. Thank you for sharing this concept with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. hollydpt says…
    12/31/2016

    Press.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Eheim says…
    12/31/2016

    My word for 2017 is 'invest'. Mostly focusing on investing in myself....& the growth that I hope to gain in my health and my career mostly.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. workoutwithdi says…
    12/31/2016

    I'm choosing "DO".
    Until Mid December I was kinda feeling out 'practice' but then a few things happened which kicked me in the pants and made me realize I'm a thinker, planner and all round procrastinator. I need to just DO.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Melanie_Routhier says…
    12/31/2016

    COURAGE.

    I turn 42 in April, and I want to focus on the little things I've been meaning to do instead of making a million excuses why I shouldn't do them. Courage to take an art class, courage to start driving again, courage to spend time on me instead of having that Mommy guilt that says all my time should be spent with my son. If I don't start now, when will I?

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. khorn says…
    12/31/2016

    grace

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. achristian says…
    12/31/2016

    If I remember this correctly...

    2017-SUCCESS
    2016- discipline
    2015- thrive
    2014- focus
    2013- fearless
    2012- cherish

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. minkaclark says…
    01/01/2017

    ENOUGH ... I have enough of all I need and I need to appreciate that.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Alexis_Aragona says…
    01/01/2017

    My word for 2017 is WELL—and I love that this lens has a myriad of ways I can take it. I thought of focusing on specific meanings of it, then decided that I would let WELL show me where to go :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Photogirli says…
    01/01/2017

    Simplify

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. hamelmc says…
      01/03/2017

      Me too!

  17. paperjunkie says…
    01/01/2017

    I'm considering either faithful or true.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. stephaniedaubek says…
    01/01/2017

    This is my first year doing OLW and I'm stoked! My 2017 word is UP. I'm looking forward to giving UP things that hold me back and drag me down, opening UP to new adventures and friendships, and looking UP as much as possible, focusing on the positive.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. andreayancey says…
    01/01/2017

    My OLW for 2017 is MAGIC.

    This is my 8th year with a OLW and I can't wait to see where this one takes me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Jackie66 says…
    01/01/2017

    My word this year is Routine, It's something I need in all aspects of my life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. ginny says…
    01/01/2017

    Light

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Marti says…
    01/01/2017

    Dance

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. rebeccak says…
    01/01/2017

    ACTIVE

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. JuliaH says…
    01/01/2017

    MAKE

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. JoniG says…
    01/01/2017

    Create.

    Reply 0 Replies

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