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: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rise.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Rise.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I was going to chose “Narrow” for my word but I’d love some ideas. The idea behind “narrow” is that my husband and I have 6 more months to live where we have lived for 20 years. We want to be specific with who we see and interact with during this time giving our time to those we want to make better connection with. I also want to narrow down my eating plan, and finally “narrow” is the gate that leads to the Lord...I want to stay in scripture this year (not reading books about scripture but scripture itself). So...thoughts?
I could also see INTENT working for what you want to achieve as well :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Forward
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Organize! I am so excited about this. I'm an uptight, anal-retentive engineer, and am naturally organized...but have been overwhelmed by life in the past few years... I'm going to slowly get back to where I want to be. I think this will bring a lot of light to my life which I can then spread to others. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Vitality
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is Restoration after this year, something that's definitely needed. Restoring my peace, my spiritual life, my finances, relationships and more.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Connect. After the year we all have been through, I feel the need to connect more with my siblings (who live out of state), my friends in town I haven't been able to see because of COVID, and my friends who live in different states. I'm feeling that void big time! This year has really made me realize how we never know what's in store for us, plus the fact that I'm not getting any younger. Making these connections stronger is important to me.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2021 is true. I feel the need to be more true to myself.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Practice
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Whimsy - because who doesn’t need a lighthearted approach to life after the year that has been.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Looks like my OLW for 2021 will be FULFILL After talking about it with my husband he’s actually the one who helped give me the light bulb moment of yes that’s’ it!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Seek
I seek for ways to stay close to God
I seek for ways to strengthen my marriage
Iseek for ways to save money and make money
I seek for ways to eat healthier
I seek for ways to stay physically strong
I seek for ways to strengthen my family and friendships
I seek for ways to improve in my career
I seek for ways to improve my physical surroundings
I seek for personal development ideas
I seek fun and recreation
I seek for ways to give and contribute
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is, "Transform." I've chosen this word, or maybe it found me? Either way, the last 2 years, I've dealt with Cancer and beat it, but it beat me also, as it changed my body and how I live daily. With that, I've had to learn to accept what is and what is no more and I still struggle more than I want to at accepting what is. I have spent too much time in self-pity, self-doubt and very low moments. I've spent $ when I shouldn't have and now I'm digging myself out of a hole. I have hit the wall and it's time to "Transform," my thoughts, my attitude and pick myself back up. I have a lot of good in life, so I need to open my eyes, my mind and body and live. One of the young tennis players at our club, who lost his life at 17 had a motto, "Be the Best You!" This is my new motto, and to be truly successful, I have to "Transform " some areas in my life. Here's to 2021...can't wait to see it and live it!
I a cheering you on!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hope
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Believe.
In myself. In goodness. In miracles.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2021 is build. Building relational bridges; building on skills and habits I have begun to learn; building up confidence; building something new in my work life; building physical strength.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This year my word is thrive. I picked it last year and well 2020 happened! lol Everything we wanted to do and planned got cancelled. This year it just kept showing up and talking to me so I decided to use it this year. I honestly feel more open to it then last year. I suffer from RA really bad and one thing I want is my health to thrive this year, just not feel like garbage all the time. That has been hard being stuck at home for almost a year. So I want to focus more on helping my body. We launched a new business during the pandemic I know right? I want that are of our life the thrive and grow. I'm still mulling over other areas of my life for intentions and goals.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2021 is “hope”.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I can't believe I've been doing this for TEN YEARS!!
My previous words were: servant, servant (loved it so much, I did it again!), less, next, watch, renovate, bring, actually, presence and now.
My word this year is HILLS. As in, they must be climbed, but at least they're not mountains. LOL!
My companion Bible verse is from Isaiah 54:10... "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, Who has compassion on you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2021 is Witness. I want to be more present in my life and to pay attention. I want to Witness my life and not just go through it.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
HEART is also my word for 2021. I look forward to sharing this word with you. Happy New Year to everyone!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
FREE: This word has been on my heart since October and I’m excited to really lean into the things I am free to do/be and free from in 2021. This word feels like an unexpected gift as I’ve been navigating what it means to live alone after my marriage ended.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Content is my word for 2021. I want to continually be happy with who I am, who those I love are, and what we have, individually and collectively. I also want to explore the content of my behaviors and habits as it relates to wellness, goals and beliefs, to sort through what stays, what goes and what to add to my life’s journey.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have kicked around several words for 2021 but finally settled on FORWARD.
Sign in or sign up to comment.