We are already 22 days into the new year. It is said to take around 21 days to build a new habit. That begs the question – how are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions so far? Have they become habit? Have you fallen off the wagon? Or are you like me and do you not set New Year’s Resolutions anymore?
Last year I discovered the idea of setting a single word as an intention for the whole year, rather than making a bunch of New Year’s Resolutions. I loved it. Instead of having all these goals that I soon figured out I was failing at, or forgot about, it was relatively easy to remember my word and to try to live it each day. And that I did.
2018 Word In Review – PASSION
My word for 2018 was Passion. Last year I committed to myself to try to do only those things that I love, and that I have passion for. I strove to cut out those things, obligations, etc that didn’t align with or bring me passion to my life. For the necessary, mundane, every day living tasks, (such as doing the dishes, laundry, cleaning house, etc.) I tried my best to infuse those with whatever joy and passion I could muster up for them, either by listening to music or inspirational videos or getting the kids involved. Somehow I brought joy into the mundane (or at least tried to most days). And although I know many had a very rough 2018, mine was incredible. In fact, it was life changing.
By deciding to live Passionately on purpose, in essence I gave myself permission to rediscover myself. As a wife and mom, sometimes we lose ourselves. We lose our individual identities and forget what it is we want, what it is we desire, what it is we have passion for besides these roles. These roles do not define us and I had set out in 2018 to redefine and find myself.
Since I naturally spend a lot of my time researching health and nutrition, and general wellness, I decided to enroll in a program to become a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach through the Institute of Transformational Nutrition. Also, by living and doing things that I love I began to discover more things that I love. I have always been a fan of motivational speakers and found Kyle Cease and took one of his programs. This led me to discover myself even farther which began leading me down the path of spirituality. I became fascinated with oracle and tarot cards, and took some courses to master those skills. I became a Reiki Master and am in the process of becoming certified in Karuna Reiki, as well. I am self-teaching myself about all the chakras and meridian systems, and working with a Kiniseologist in a one-on-one mentorship program to learn how to muscle test for myself and others. I read so many books. I lived and learned all year letting my learning be directed by my passions.
I tried to live passionately as a mom and wife too. By the end of 2018 my marriage was stronger and better than it ever has been. We have been together 18 years, married 15, and I truly feel like we are in a second honeymoon phase right now. It’s incredible.
I would honestly say the hardest part of living passionately in 2018 was bringing more passion into motherhood. I absolutely love being a mom, and I love my kids tremendously already. But adjusting to life with three kids while trying to rediscover myself at the same time was a bit challenging. Looking back, I didn’t take enough breaks from my kids to really appreciate my time with them. I think I only had a babysitter or hubby watch the kids for maybe an hour here and there a handful of times. This resulted in taking them for granted a bit, being a bit more short and frustrated with them than I wanted to be, and not having the energy to go out and do fun things with them. Although I didn’t feel guilty about focusing on discovering myself and my passions, I somehow still felt guilty about admitting and asking for help when it came to the kids. It just seemed like too big of an ask with three. And I felt like a failure in a way to need a break. This, in part, leads me to my word that I have chosen for 2019.
2019 Word of The Year – CO-CREATE
As it relates to my kids and improving how I feel as a mom, Co-Create is going to be huge in 2019. In 2018 while finding my passion, I also found my voice. I found courage to speak up for not only what I desire, but what I need. I still struggle with this at times, but I am SO much better than I was at the start of the year. I realized I am the only one that can make my situation better and I am the only one that knows what I need to be happy. And I discovered that I need a lot more balance when it comes to the kids. If I get more time away from them, I will be able to concentrate on the other things I want/need to concentrate on for a bit and come back to them feeling refreshed and more present. So in my role as being a mother, I am going to be Co-Creating my existence with them. I am going to ask and lean on my husband for help, and since I asked and he isn’t left guessing what I need, he is more than willing to help out and give me some time to myself. I am also Co-Creating with the local recreation center. Now that Piper gifted me with walking a few days after Christmas, I can finally take her and Collin to Toddler time for 2 hours 3 days a week. Having 6 hours to work on this blog, or help hubby with his accounting, or research or read or exercise or schedule meetings with local clients will be HUGE for my sanity and my productivity. It will help bring balance to so much in my life and I will be able to be more present and in the NOW of every moment, and I can’t wait to have more of that presence with my kids rather than trying to keep them occupied so I could get a few minutes of work, study or chores done.
The other reason I chose Co-Create for 2019 is because of my deeper realization and understanding I’ve developed of my tagline for this blog that I developed several years ago: Life With Training Wheels – because nobody’s got it all figured out and nobody can do it all on their own. In 2019 I want to be more intentional about Co-Creating this beautiful life WITH my creator and the universe. I don’t just want to pray to God, but I want to listen to God and be aware of all the ways and avenues that communication comes as well. I don’t just want to survive the day to day life. I want to live my purpose, and if I’m truly living my purpose I need to Co-Create it with my creator.
Not only that, but life and my success in life and living my purpose will be dependent on my ability to Co-Create with those around me also. With clients that I may serve with my Transformational Nutrition Coaching, I will be Co-Creating success plans WITH them not FOR them, empowering them to live their best life. I envision and already have begun Co-Creating beautiful things in my small mountain community with other wonderful souls. I feel like we will be creating some amazing things and although I can’t even begin to envision what it will be, I feel it in my bones that it will happen. I will also continue to seek out incredible mentors of my own and in turn help them Co-Create their success while they help me Co-Create mine.
In life we need community, we need partnerships, we need support. I haven’t always been the best at that. I’ve been a loner most of my life. I’ve been acquaintances with many but haven’t had too many close mentorships, friendships or relationships. In business (and honestly in friendships as well), I have viewed everything as competition. I have already come up against a lot of Shadow Work I need to do this year surrounding truly living my life in the mode of Co-Creation, but that Shadow Work is beautiful. Working through your weaknesses and fears and old patterns that no longer are serving you is hard work, but it is so worth it. And I look forward to breaking barriers and walls and becoming more and more of who I am meant to be: A beacon of light and love and hope and compassion. Not by myself, but with all the other wonderful souls I come in contact with. I can’t wait to see what partnerships and friendships and wonderful success for myself and my clients I find at the end of the year.
I’m excited also, because I am carrying what I’ve learned in 2018 forward as well. While I am Co-Creating my life, I am going to stay true to myself at the same time and honor my passions and only enter into things if they align with my highest and best good. And learning to Co-Create my life with my highest self and my creator will keep me true to only doing those things.
I was excited for 2018 and it was one of my best years yet. I cannot wait to see what excitement and awesomeness 2019 has for me!
*All images were taken from Yahoo image search: free to modify, share and use commercially.
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