Last year was the first time I’d ever chosen a word of the year. It was the word INTENTIONAL, which I chose because I felt like I was really lacking in my ability to do and be intentional. I thought a lot about that word as I went about my days, weeks, and months, but at the end of the year, I felt like there was a missing piece to the puzzle.
One night, a few weeks ago, I was climbing into bed, tired, but with thoughts swirling around in my mind about what I wanted to accomplish in the new year. And just like that, the word TIME came into my mind. I grabbed my phone, opened the notes section and started tapping away. I read through it once before rolling over to go to sleep.
The next morning, I turned my phone on and re-read everything I’d recorded and was surprised to find that it actually made sense. The word TIME was exactly right for all my goals and aspirations. It felt like the missing link between the goals and resolutions I’d set in 2019. Every goal I had for myself in the coming year had to do with creating and using my TIME wisely.
So here we are: 20 days into 2020. As far as my “new years resolutions” go, I haven’t done anything earth shattering. I still have just as much TIME as I did last year. But I feel different. I’ve grown since last year and I’m truly excited for what this new year is bringing for me, my family and yes, even you, as a reader and follower of my blog. *wink* And because I know myself, and I know that making myself accountable to others is a motivation for me, I’m going to share a few of my goals moving forward. It boils down to four areas: phone, sleep, personal development and relationships.
Phone
I spend more TIME on my phone than I mean to. I open Instagram and Facebook just to browse. I check to see if I have new emails or text messages. None of these things are inherently wrong or bad. But for myself, I know it’s taking my attention and TIME away from the things and people that need it most. So I’m starting small and setting a limit for myself by putting my phone away at 9:30pm each night, not to be picked up again until the following morning. There will be exceptions to this but I believe that TIME away from my phone for those couple of hours before I go to bed will make a difference in how I spend my TIME.
Sleep
As a mom, it is so, so tempting to stay up late and do just one more thing: work on my blog, read a book, clean, finish a craft project, and the list goes on. But I have learned that when I get the amount of sleep my body needs, I wake up feeling better able to handle my days and to be the mom, wife, sister and friend that I want to be. You’ve probably guessed what the goal is in this area, but I’ll tell you anyway: going to bed by 11pm each night and waking up at 7am. Again, there will be exceptions, but I’m aiming to limit those as well.
Personal Development
I spent a lot of TIME last year thinking about myself. Not in a selfish, self-absorbed way. But in an “I want to understand myself better” way. And in order to continue to do that, I need to be able to devote some TIME to personal development. What do I like? What don’t I like? What are my talents, skills and gifts? How can I use them to help others? I love reading insightful books that help me consider different points of view and expand my knowledge. Going to classes and workshops is fun for me. So this year, I plan on learning more about myself by trying new things and pushing myself to be and do better.
Relationships
When I think about how much I had going on in college when I met my husband, it’s a wonder that I even had TIME to date! But he and I took the TIME and got to know each other and our relationship grew into something beautiful and lasting. Fast forward, and we will be celebrating our 12 year anniversary in the spring. Life is just as busy now, but in different ways of course. I hate to say it at all, but God and my family have slipped a little on the priority list because I haven’t really had a priority list. Which is why I’m going to be focusing more TIME on scripture study, prayers, one on one dates with my kids, consistent dates with my husband and calling family and friends to talk instead of watching them live through what they post on social media. It’s going to take work and TIME, but I know it will make a difference.
Do you have a word of the year? What do you hope to accomplish or work towards in 2020?
15 Comments
“Time” is a great word of the year. I really don’t know what my one word should be, but I know I need to figure it out.
Thanks Marta! I feel like having one word that helps encompass what we want our year to look like really helps keep us on track.
I love your word of the year. Mine is LIVE because I want to go out and do more this year. 🙂
I like your word too Sarah! I hope you have some great adventures this year.
Time is a fantastic word for 2020! I actually haven’t thought of one yet.. I guess I better get on that haha!
Thanks Hailey! You can always pick a word and starting working toward a goal or improving yourself. No timeline there. 😉
What a wonderfully eye-opening post on what should be our prioirties in 2020.
Thank you Sharon!
I love the idea of having a word of the year! I hope it is not too late to pick one 🙂 Time is a good one!!!
It’s never too late to pick a word of the year or start working towards something!
I love this post and think this is probably the best word of the year that I’ve heard!
Thank you Justine!
We definitely need to chat more!! I started doing this last year too!! My word was ReDefine! It is amazing how that changed so many things! This year my word is Order. Putting my priorities in order, having a house of order and organizing my life in a more orderly way so that, like you, I have more time for the things and people that really matter!
Order is a good word too. It can encompass so many different areas. 🙂
Hope you’re having a wonderful 2020 so far.
My word of the year is fearless!
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