One Little Word® 2021 | Heart

Since 2006 I've been choosing a single word to focus on over the course the 12 months from January through December. I call it  One Little Word®. It's a personal growth project that uses memory keeping as the vehicle to help us live with intention. 

My past words have included: 

  • Play
  • Peace
  • Vitality
  • Nurture
  • Story
  • Light
  • Up
  • Open
  • Thrive
  • Give
  • Whole
  • Connect
  • Space
  • Habit
  • Less

For 2021 I'm going to focus on the word heart

To be honest I'm not sure exactly why heart is my word this year. Some years I have very specific intentions that I want to focus on and other years it's more loose. Going into 2021 I'm honestly not sure what I want to focus on (doing the January prompt in the classroom always helps me solidify my intentions) but what I know for sure is that I want to go into it with an open heart. "Open" was my word in 2013 and it is one of the ones that was most meaningful to me and I love it as a companion word to heart this year. Another of my most favorite words was "whole" - that one can also play a part in my journey with heart as in "whole-hearted."

I made a new Pinterest board and saved a few quotes that also relate to things I'd like to think about and consider in 2021. I definitely also love that I can continue to walk a little more with my 2020 word "less" too. 

You're invited to join me in choosing word and working to make it visible in your own life in 2021. 

JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR WORDS VISIBLE IN THE ONE LITTLE WORD® WORKSHOP

Since 2011 I've been offering a One Little Word® online workshop that's goal is to help you stay connected to your word throughout the year through monthly prompts that invite you to document pieces of your journey with your word. It's not complicated and it doesn't take a lot of time but it's the documentation and community piece that helps many people (including me) stay connected with our words thorough the year. Each month you receive an email reminder to head back to the classroom for some sort of creative prompt/writing reflection. 

For the 10th Anniversary celebration year I've made some changes to the workshop that you can read about here

You can read all the details about this workshop and sign up here. You can also watch a video walkthrough of my past album projects here to get an idea of past prompts. Registration is $5 off until December 31, 2020

I've also created a selection of products to help you document and support your journey with your word. Check those out here

SHARE YOUR WORD IN THE COMMENTS

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering or have decided on for 2021. 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:  20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017 and 2018

Download the word art here to share your word for 2021. 

Shop This Post

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

140 thoughts

  1. mrsmartha says…
    12/29/2020

    My word is BREATHE. It's amazing how much I'm already using it every day. This will be a fun journey!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. ahiggins83 says…
    12/29/2020

    Breathe. 💛 Need to focus on mindful breathing to calm down, take a minute, and regroup.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. jambajuice57 says…
    12/29/2020

    My 2020 word has been LIGHT, and it’s been one of my all-time favorites. For 2021 my word will be QUIET. I like words that are several parts of speech: noun, verb, adjective. Companion words from my past words are Listen, Grace and of course, Light. I hope to learn to quiet my head and listen more to my heart, to others’ voices and to nature.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. BernadetteM says…
    12/29/2020

    My word for 2021 is SHINE. My word for 2020 was PRACTICE and I learned so much this past year about how to practice, how to do the work, how to change. One of the books I read related to PRACTICE was Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. Fogg uses the word Shine to describe “the positive feeling we get from experiencing success”. It's a celebration. So that is what I want to cultivate in 2021: positivity, feeling good, celebration, success. Also, I really am craving some brightness and lightness after this past year. I want to SHINE!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. shadylane_14 says…
    12/29/2020

    My OLW for 2021 is JOY. Simple, heartfelt, and a reminder to search out the joy in every day, no matter what the next year brings. One of my favorite quotes is: "Every day might not be good, but there is something good in every day." <3

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Jossie says…
    12/29/2020

    Ahh this class seems so fun but can't justify the 45 for it! This year has been really funny and hard. Can't wait to see sneaks of what you and your team share on social media. My word this year is kind. I need to be kind to myself, my children, and my hubby. The world needs people to be kind right now. If I can dedicate myself to it and lead by example then I alone can help in my space here on earth. Happy Last Monday of the year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. SoniaH says…
    12/29/2020

    I am moving from 2020's [Heal] into {Perspective} for 2021. I learned so much from my journey with my word. This year has been tough, challenging, and exhausting - but incredibly rewarding.
    I chose perspective because of world events, the therapy work I've done this year, and my choice was cemented by the following quote:
    "When you shift your perspective, suddenly the life you're living changes".

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. tltorrez says…
    12/29/2020

    My Word for 2021 is Stretch.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Annakath says…
    12/29/2020

    Embrace

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. perspectivesinfocus says…
    12/29/2020

    My word this year is ‘joy’. I feel like I lost my joy somewhere along the way and I am compelled to make finding and choosing joy an intentional act this year. As part of that process I am also committing to a 365 project, to photograph one thing each day that brings me joy. So now I’ve said it out loud, the beginning of accountability ...

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. nicoleseitler says…
    12/29/2020

    Thank you for the freebie! You have such a generous heart.

    I've been contemplating OPEN this year, maybe with a side of BRAVE. I want to be open to whatever comes next while keeping my heart and my hands open. It feels just right for me right now.

    Love this project. So thankful for it in my life in 2020. Looking forward to 2021!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Ldygdva727 says…
    12/29/2020

    I had already chosen a word for 2021 when I discovered OLW and I am sticking with it. BELIEVE. I know I have the ability to be a good friend, teacher, partner, and business owner, but some days I doubt all of these things and I need to be reminded to believe in myself. I've signed up for the workshop and I'm looking forward to this journey.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Mel_12 says…
    12/29/2020

    GROW. It was just there in my head when I began to think of what word I should choose and I think going with it is the only thing to do.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. swimfin says…
    12/29/2020

    Play (companion word: learn)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. PoochPatrol says…
    12/29/2020

    My word is CHANGE. I chose it because a lot of things changed in 2020 but I was busy keeping it together with all the things that Covid could bring. I became an empty nester last January 1st. (I did do the Empty Nest class that is offered and it was very therapeutic.) I lost my father in law. Jobs changed. I hope to delve into my feelings about all this during 2021.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. cornybeard says…
    12/29/2020

    I have chosen STRENGTH as my word for 2021, it feels like exactly what I need!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Laudicia says…
    12/29/2020

    Balance

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Rebeccaseaman says…
    12/29/2020

    Heart is a beautiful word. There are so many that speak to me. My word is brave. Looking forward to spending time and energy with my word.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. angieduncan says…
    12/29/2020

    My word for 2021 is wholehearted 🥰

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. fabricfanatic says…
    12/29/2020

    My word is Soften. Soften my approach to life, soften my mindset, soften my face lol. And even soften things like colors I use in projects (just very attracted to pastel colors lately for the soothing calmness). I'm also noticing I'm using a lot of "soft" elements and very into soft textures, like felt. Depth was my word this year, which I have loved, but it does come with "weight" so I wanted to "soften things."

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/01/2021

      I love your word!

    2. fabricfanatic says…
      01/02/2021

      Thank you! I’m excited for this year with my word!

  21. Kelly_sanders says…
    12/29/2020

    My 2021 word is THRIVE. After BELIEVE in 2020, I am ready for whatever is next in my life. Finalizing a divorce during a pandemic wasn’t exactly what I thought 2020 would look like. But I am ready for 2021. It can only get better from here. Let’s do this!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. ashleyhorton1675 says…
    12/29/2020

    My word is refresh.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. messa09 says…
    12/29/2020

    Thrive

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Sianlmills says…
    12/29/2020

    My OLW for 2021 is move.
    Move on
    Move forward
    Move for
    Keep moving
    This is my third year participating and I can’t wait to see where my word takes me this year x

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. sherryo says…
    12/29/2020

    Home

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.