You know, a couple of years ago if I’d have found myself writing a ‘happy new year’ post on 24 January, I would have felt oddly anxious. That’s what happens when you allow conscientiousness to run rampant. I can see the documentary now: When Good Traits Go Bad.
These days, it doesn’t bother me a jot.
The minute I embraced my inner Rebel and stopped fighting it, a lot of things calmed down for me. To make that happen, I had to have a serious chat with Conscientiousness, of course. We’ve agreed that I will remain incredibly vigilant about the things that matter and let go of the rest.
Which brings me to my one word of the year.
Surrender.
This year I plan to let things happen as they will happen. I will stop trying to predict and control the future. I will stop unnecessarily worrying about the what ifs and what shoulds. I will surrender.
Fact is, I’ve realised that life goes on regardless, whether you over-think it or you don’t. Instead of niggling at things, I’m going to sort them instead. Knowing me, I’ll probably become an over-planner rather than an over-thinker, but I can live with that.
So, surrender. Just let life pass me by a little, as life likes to do. Trust the Universe. Trust myself.
I need to be careful, though. So far ‘surrender’ looks a lot like doing sweet FA all January…
Did you choose a word this year? How is it going for you?
Cate@Life Behind The Purple Door says
I chose ACTION. Now the kids are at school, I can feel it will find it’s feet, because I’ve spent the last four weeks being reactive to life, instead of dealing with things. Good luck with surrender.
Maxabella says
Action is Bart’s word this year… I’m quite excited ????
Mim Jenkinson says
Oh how I love this! Yes to letting go – yes to stopping over-analysing everything – yes yes yes. My word is “simple” – I want to keep life as simple as possible as 2017 was so overwhelming and exhausting (and wonderful, I’m just knackered). Saying No to stuff has already been super-liberating. Please keep sharing how you do with this, I need the inspiration x x
Maxabella says
You did A LOT last year. Keeping things simple will do you the world of good. x
BabyMac says
I lITERALLY just hit publish on a post saying this too, came onto FB and saw this! SURRENDER indeed. Happy NY lady x
Maxabella says
Loved your post, Beth. Let’s let go. x
kate says
Yup. So true that life goes on despite any grand plan to mold it or pull it in submission. Surrender sounds like a good word.
Maxabella says
I hope that focusing on surrendering will also lead me to more mindfulness. I think it will. x
Shannon morrow says
Love this one! Im going with simplicity this year! X
Maxabella says
Simplicity – omg, how we crave it!!! Great word, Shannon. x
Cathy says
I love this surrendering is so important. In many ways that is what I have been doing for the last three years now it is time for me to actually step out of that. So my word this year is Courage.
Cathy says
I haven’t picked a word this year, so I am rebelling in a way but not doing so as I had got into this practice a few years ago. In a way I am adopting a similar attitude to life this year as you Bron, but just rolling with it and accepting what happens.
Janet says
I picked a word for the first time – and the one that kept coming to me was BREATHE. I struggled with it at first which I wrote about on my blog, but it’s growing on me!