Looking through my post history and considering what my word for 2018 would be, I was initially surprised to discover I didn’t write a word of the year post for 2017. Really, though, when I remember how derailed I felt in late 2016 and how much of a hiatus I’ve since taken from blogging, it shouldn’t have surprised me. Despite my lack of sharing, I did have a word for 2017: Strive.
And strive I did. In late 2016, I was already leaving behind my word for 2016, balance, and moving into a striving space. I applied for graduate school in November and December of that year, and decided to close my business January 1st.
There were so many times over the past several years when I said no to something or accepted health or energy limitations. Initially, I had to because I was in rough shape, but later I became afraid of taking on too much and settled into a pattern of not challenging myself.
Now, with full-time graduate studies plus a mandatory two-day-per-week internship, I have been thrust into the very definition of too much and yet, I am thriving. I have found more energy than I knew was possible and I am maintaining balance and a reasonable bed time despite the heavy workload. It’s been illuminating.
Looking ahead to next year, there’s one key area that I want to work on: Personal growth. While I claim to have adopted a growth mindset, I still find myself asking “why?” when I’m asked to do something for school or internship. My innate response is, “I already know this,” or “What am I learning?”
Next year, I’m going to focus on growing, in my education, my mindset, and my personal life. And so my word for 2018 is ‘Grow,’ with my chosen definition, “to develop or mature physically, mentally, or spiritually.”
I’m hoping this word will help me remember to maintain a growth mindset, to be willing to consider another perspective, and to approach each individual or situation with the best intentions. For me, doing those things would embody growth.
What about you? What is your word for 2018?
Cheers,
