Again I say it: happy, happy new year. The year is kinda new every day when you think about it. We can achieve our goals, create possibilities and keep that uplifting feeling of ‘maybe’ for as long as we want. Encouraging when I look back at all the broken ‘new year’ resolutions I’ve made. There is still time.
I don’t really do them, resolutions I mean. Instead, I focus on a word for the year. Generally I come up with some lame play on words for the year (this was last year’s feeble attempt and the year before that was two thousand and zen, god love me). But I’m having none of that this year, and not just because twelve is, like, really, really hard to work with. Twelve basically rhymes with nothing useful and with one short syllable I was venturing into territory even more rocky than last year’s two thousand health-heaven. No, I’m having none of that silly word play business. It’s… distracting.
This year, my word is going to be…
Everything I do, I want to question whether I could be doing it better. Am I using my resources as well as I can? Am I focusing on the task at hand enough? Are there other ways to tackle a problem? Am I being present enough? Can I save more, do more, be more and give more?
[Image by Sopranda Alegria]
Lipstick and Licorice says
My word is laugh….I don’t do it enough….love to hear a good laugh, but feels better to have one
little love says
Calm
Toni says
MINDFUL.
I know it’s been used to death, but it’s still describing something I’m not at the moment.
Being in the moment at the moment, paying attention, thinking before I speak (or write) — you know how it goes….
Leah says
I’m going with VALUE. If I don’t value something, or what it produces, or how it makes me feel, I’m not doing it.
I like BETTER – similar feel, I think.
stinkb0mb says
my word for this year is
~ANYTHING~
this year, 2012, is MY year and i feel that i can achieve ANYTHING that i put my mind to. i don’t know why but this year it feels full of endless possibilities, like anything i want to achieve, do, accomplish, attain, if i put my mind to it and strive for it the hardest i can, i will achieve it, do it, accomplish it or attain it.
i wrote on one of Danimezza’s posts at the end of last year – “Remember the only limit on what you can achieve is the depth of your own fearlessness” – something i’m taking and running with this year!
~x~
Deb @ home life simplified says
my word is fearless! I am going to assume that being fearless i can also be better so maybe it is a buy 1 get one free word.
Coal Valley View says
Simple.
Ellieboo says
BETTER is a great choice – hope you your year is better all round. My word of the year is ENERGY – I desperately need it 🙂
mel @ loved says
better..I like it! Good for you Bron, HAPPY NEW YEAR! X
cathy@home says
Anything beginning with “H”
Ms Jelena says
Better sounds good 🙂
Mine is positivity! x
Tat @ Mum in search says
A great word to use for anything you do. I hope you have a fantastic year!
Dee says
That’s a great word! I like it. A lot ! I’m still working on mine…….And Thankyou for your comment on my Grateful post. I’d invite you in a heartbeat (or would that be weird?) til then I’ll have the crazy family instead. Dee x
Miss Pink says
I love this! Such a good goal. But don’t mix it up with everything HAVING to be better. That part would stress me too much.
Kate Sins says
I wrote a post a few days ago about my intentions for 2012 and described them in three words-mindful, better, generous. So not just one…
Kate Sins says
I wrote a post a few days ago about my intentions for 2012 and described them in three words-mindful, better, generous. So not just one…
Cat says
I do similar though in very me style i can’t limit to just one word! 🙂 this year is one of “focus & simplicity” for me. I need to reign in what I’m trying to do so i achieve a few things well rather than spread myself too thin and be unhappy about not doing a good job. Oh and the girl at the front of the classroom, hand held aloft – she was always me! I think I’ve become too self consciousas about that of late & let go of her a bit too much. X
Sannah says
I love ‘better’, and could definitely use a lot of that in my life, but I am not sure I could handle the pressure 😉
Mine is JOY. I see it as taking mindfulness a step further, and not only concentrating on being present and mindful, but embracing the joy and letting go of the guilt.
And thank you for your lovely comment the other day,
xx Sannah
Shelley @ My Shoebox Life says
When I was a kid, I always remember this:
“Good, better, best; never let it rest till your good is better and your better is best.”
I like it. xx
Mika says
Act
I think a lot on things – imagine and visualise and fantasise…. I used to get into trouble at school for day dreaming! I value my day dreams – they provide me with a wonderful – colourful inner world. But i’d really like this year to be a year where i act on them – so that they might eventuate!
Happy new year Bron – i gain a lot from your blog! Your voice is clear and sincere and strong and quite funny at times! Ta for that!
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
wow – so simple Bron. good word!!! And it cracked me up imagining you sitting in the front row of a class room holding you hand up so so so high….i can just see it!!!! i hope 2012 is better for you xx
Posie Patchwork says
Oh to do everything better, yes, “live better” that is what i posted about. No resolutions, unless you have to quit something bad like smoking, drinking too much, road rage etc, yes, resolute them into history please.
I’m way too verbose to come up with one single word on the spot, hmmm, let me think. My daughter has “think twice” on her school laptop, i think that is meant to mean all sorts of high school thing from “think twice about not putting your laptop in a secure bag & the old think twice before cyber bullying”. Maybe ‘think’ would be the single word for me. Love Posie
Mum on the Run says
Grow. 🙂
Karla {Ironmum Karla} says
Nice, I like it, well rounded, can’t go wrong and to the point! Often a word I say to myself when I am feeling lazy! Karlax
Michelle says
I like your word! Am going with that one for sure for 2012:)
Claire Chadwick @ Scissors Paper Rock says
Happy 2012 B.
Hmmm….BETTER….I like it!
As for my word….I’ll have to get back to you 🙂 I’m still trying to figure mine out 🙂 {maybe DECISION MAKER should be mine lol, as I am struggling to commit to decisions at the moment….like a word to mantra to!!….can I blame it on baby brain as I’m still adjusting the sleep deprivation of a newborn again?!!}
Wishing you a FABULOUS year Bron!
x
Kate says
Yep, I like that one a lot.
Mine’s happy.
That’s what it all comes down to I think. xx
Mili O says
I’ve been thinking a lot about my word for 2012 today, so this is very timely. My word is Discipline. I’ve got my blogpost in my head and hope to getting it down in the next couple of days.
Happy New Year and here’s to a “Better” 2012 for you x
Becky from BeckyandJames.com says
Love this link up. My word is Focus, which I so need!
Cath says
OK, I’ve cheated… there are actually 3 words in my post. I LOVE the idea, but this year is going to be too huge to be contained by just one word!
LionessLady says
Love your word Bron! And absolutely love your analogy of the kid in the front of the class. x
Melissa {Suger} says
I love it. I’m going to think on mine and get back to you. 2011, year of the……
Hmmm.
Kelly Exeter says
Loving everyone’s words – such an inspiration Bron! It’s like a shot of caffeine heading into the first working week of the year 🙂
therhythmmethod says
I think my word is ‘made’. I want to make more things, simply because it makes me happy: the doing, and the giving of something handmade as well. I made bunting at Christmas time and I swear it was the best fun I had all year. It’s so pretty I’ve only just taken it down. Santa in January is SO last year.
Happy NY to you! Better is a great word! x
supermac says
Well, this is way, way better than a resolution 😉
Megan says
You always say it so well Maxabella. I think you inspire everyone who reads this blog to be better in all of their actions. I know you will go far with your own betterment this year!
Taylor Made says
Love that word and a great one to have plastered everywhere we go as a great reminder that life goes well if you give it everything. x
Beth @ Achoo You says
My word ….completion. I start a million things and complete maybe half of them, I am notorious for losing interest half way through, so this year I am going to limit myself on what I start and focus on completing one before starting another 🙂
Bean's Mummy says
When? As in, if not now…when? xx
KatieMay says
My word would have to be PEACE in my home, my work and in my mind.
Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' says
I really love that.
Kinda looking at my big ol’ typical long list that I know will most likely be broken come … February, lol.
And wishing I concentrated on one word, I stead of one whole list.
‘better’ … I love.
We could all always be better versions of ourself 🙂
Good luck xx
InkPaperPen says
I like your word, makes sense to have one word. More achievable and it keeps things neat and tidy. My word is Choice. A reminder to myself that I have a choice and responsibility in the decisions I make, the effort I put in, my actions, thoughts and emotions, etc.
Choice, she’s Mindfulness’s little sister. Happy new year to you, Bron x
My Messy Room says
I think better is a great word to live by this year.
My word for this year is ‘focus’. I have a million things going on and in the end only 1/4 are ever achieved OR im too busy to see what is right here/there in the moment.
Thank you for sharing this resolution, i’ve asked all my friends the same question.. Happy New year!
Sophie says
The word for me would be “health”
without that there is nothing.
Karen at MomAgain@40 says
“Sorted” for this year! 😉
Thanks for the link-up, Maxabella
trudi@maudeandme says
Thought I really didn’t have a word – until this evening watering the garden.It suddenly came to me, “harvest”. Nurture, nourish everything important to me and then reap all the rewards.
Kymmie says
I love this. And I love your idea to keep it simple!
Let’s see if you can do it better (how can you already be better than you are?)
I can’t even imagine it! xxx
Lipgloss Mumma says
I’m still thinking. Will get back to you 😉
Lulu says
Better is a great word.
I am going to think about this and see if I can come up with a word for 2012. It seems like something that could ground me when I need it.
Saffron says
Hi! Thanks for this, it’s a little late but I’ll add mine now anyway. This year I want to ~sparkle!~ (which I guess involves being ~better~ so I’m with you on that one. see my link above. x
Joni Llanora says
Happy New Year Bron! This linky is brilliant very encouraging. I look forward to more inspiring posts from you. Your blog is honestly my bible.
Catherine says
I like it:) Better sounds like a great word, well rounded and a great way of looking at what you’re doing in all things in your life. My word for this year is going to be Strive. Thanks Bron for always inspiring us. xx
Lizeylou says
I think mine would be patience.
With my kids and myself.
Sadly I wasn’t born with a lot of patience and Santa didn’t bring me any for Christmas (although I did ask!) so for me I think my house would run so much better if I could be more patient.
Simoney says
sorry I had to invent my word.
JUSTDOIT.
Its now my word.
Kat @ I Saw You Dancing says
Hey gorgeous, thanks for sharing your word. It’s a very powerful one!
I’d love to know what the soft underbelly of “better” might be. Feeling better? Sleeping better? Better off?
Looking forward to witnessing your explorations… and whispering every now and again, to remind you not to let that word punish you.
You are seriously fabulous, just as you are.
PS Don’t forget the maple syrup with those buttermilk, banana and bacon pancakes! Mmmm…
ally says
Happy New Year Bron
I’m really off-line at the moment but had to pop in and see your word – it’s a good one. Good luck.
I’ve been thinking about this – I’m going for nuture – to nuture what is individual and special in the wombles, in me, my relationships, my family (maybe the garden too!)
xx
Karen says
I know this is a rather old post but I’ve been hanging for my house guests to leave so I could read it properly and write a proper comment.
Due to a bit of a joke that started with a friend, I have dubbed 2012 The Year of Awesome, but of course I am the only one who can ensure my year is awesome!
Michelle says
Your a star Maxabella always making us think within. I finally decided on my word today – decision – yes ironically it took me a while to decide on it! I hope 2012 is full of many better times for you x
Leanne says
Am I too late? I missed the Linky, My word for 2012 is FOCUS. Although it started off as VISION, but I changed it. Thanks Maxabella! I shared your idea on my blog this morning which came via Michelle at Jarrah Jungle.