My Word of the Year

Do you choose a Word of the Year? The tradition of choosing “One Little Word” (or OLW) instead of making resolutions at the beginning of a year first started with Ali Edwards. She inspired a lot of people who follow the ‘One Little Word’ tradition now. The idea is to choose one word to symbolize the intention you have for the new year. Just one little word that you can focus on, mediate on and reflect upon. A word to use as a touchstone…

Over the last years, I choose several words (and sometimes – most of the times – the word choose me… it ‘came to me’ by the end of each year so to speak) and I discovered how powerful these words can be. I picked some ‘wrong’ words in the past that slapped me right in the face, so now I’m always a bit afraid when the New Year approaches and I start thinking about a word. NOT having a word is not an option, as I like the ‘focus’ a word gives during the year. Last year I choose a sentence, but I found that not as powerful as one word, so for 2016 I choose again just one word:

I had it on my mind for a while now and it won’t go so MOVE will be my word for 2016.

I decided to use the English word and not the Dutch translation as in Dutch the word does not represent all the meanings that it covers in English.

• MOVE because I want my art to move people in some way – create art that comes from my emotion and touches others.
• MOVE because I have to move on from last year. It was a tough and difficult year and it took a toll on me. I want to move on and move forward.
• MOVE because I live in a bad neighborhood right now and I hope to be able to move to better place this year.
• MOVE my body… I need to loose some pounds… going for long walks more often will help

All in all: Move onto bigger and better things!

When I commented on Quinn McDonald’s OLW post back in December, letting her know which word I’d pick, she responded with this comment: “Words that have multiple meanings, like Move, give us so many choices. I’m loving yours because I know the growth that has preceded it.” Quinn felt where the word came from and the intention and possibilities in it. I feel blessed to ‘know’ – and be known by – someone that I’ve never met in person but still consider my friend. Thank you Quinn.

As you may know, I use the first page of every Chronicles art journal to reflect on my word at the beginning of the year. Here’s the first page in my Chronicles for 2016 (pictures of this new, handbound, journal can be found in this post.)

Did you pick a Word for 2016? I’m curious to hear yours; tell me about it in a comment.