I have not picked a WOTY (Word of the Year) for a number of years, but put serious thought into doing one again for 2024. I enjoy reading what words others pick and why. I enjoy watching how those words play out over the year.
I’ve had success using a WOTY before – JOY one year really helped me focus on finding joy in each day. Another year SOAR helped me to savor, be optimistic, activate, and be resilient in a very tough year. And then a RELEASE focused year helped me to (begin to) let go of self-limiting beliefs.
One word that kept coming into my mind for 2024 was Celebrate. Celebrate life. Celebrate the little things – to just be in the moment, to take time to appreciate nature, to find my glimmers of joy. This quote really resonated: “Go where you are celebrated, not merely tolerated.” And also reminded me to celebrate the people around me.
Then I started back and forth between Accept versus Celebrate, because I really do need to work on acceptance! Accept what is. Accept situations (meaning not over-react). Accept who I am.
Forgive was another strong possibility. It is something I continue to work on – mostly forgiving myself. My 2023 review made me realize I have not fully resolved some of my feelings related to my mom’s passing a year ago.
Then there was Balance pushing into my brain saying, “Pick me!” I need to balance being and doing in my planning. So, I then considered ABC as in back to the basics. (Accept, Balance, Celebrate) And even debated with myself about one word or three words, although I had 4 words one year (SOAR).
So where did all this overthinking get me? I know I need structure. My planning, my to-do lists, and my tracking might seem over-kill to many, but they work for me. When I came back to it, my retirement lifestyle vision statement is where I need to focus. It gives me structure. It captures who I want to be – across mind, body, heart, and soul. I can fit all the areas I need to “work on” – positivity practices, overthinking (as in less), quiet time, even knowing my triggers.
This past year with my delving into Tarot I’ve expanded my vision statement slightly, synthesizing in the four elements and some Tarot thinking.
- Active Body is now about physicality in total, including my space, environment, and resources. This is the Pentacles suit in Tarot and the Earth element. Feeling grateful for financial security and time abundance. Being grounded with a connection to the earth in my garden and the beach. Focusing on healthy living behaviors.
- Connected Heart encompasses all my emotional connections and how I intentionally develop them with my various plans and being my extended tribe’s designated planner. But it also includes working on acceptance of others and myself. This is the Cups suit in Tarot and the Water element.
- Contemplative Mind needs to watch out for overthinking and over-reacting. This is the Swords suit in Tarot and the Air element. So yoga breath practices, quieting the mind, time for reflection, recognizing my triggers, practicing gratitude. My new favorite quote here is, “Be the queen of your thoughts, not a slave to them.”
- Creative Spirit is continuing to embrace my authentic self and explore spirituality. This is the Wands suit in Tarot and the Fire element and therefore encompasses things I am passionate about – my mini-adventures, learning new things, my crafting, and playing with words.
So around and around on a WOTY and back to not having one for 2024! Obviously my “watch-out for overthinking” needs work. But coming back to a refocus on my retirement lifestyle statement is never a bad thing.
I’m still looking forward to seeing how other’s WOTY play out for them. Do you pick a WOTY even if you’re not a blogger and posting about it?
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I don’t have a WOTY, Pat, but gratitude and generosity are favourites. I also love balance and celebration.
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I’m definitely working on celebration and acceptance, even though neither ended up as a WOTY. Gratitude is almost a given as it is a daily practice!
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Hi Pat, I love the word Celebrate but understand having a WOTY doesn’t fit for you right now. I like having a WOTY because it gives me a direction and focus. This year, after much (too much) thought, I’ve chosen STRENGTH. I want to focus on my physical and emotional/mental strength so it works for both. I’ve printed up a small info-graphic with that word (and many others related to it) and put it up on my frig. I’m also thinking of making it the background on my phone…I need constant reminders. Here’s to a great 2024!!
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Sharon – I love that it works for both the physical and mental/emotional! A great idea to put in on the fridge and your phone. When I had the word Joy for my WOTY, I got it on my morning coffee mug (find joy in each day) – I still use the mug almost every morning! You might consider getting a crystal stone bracelet with a crystal that symbolized strength (Bloodstone is one). I have a number of crystal/stone bead bracelets – I pick a couple each day to help with what I might need that day!
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Ooo, I love the idea of a bracelet!!! I’ll have to start shopping 🤗
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I concur with Suzanne. A WOTY or a vision statement sets intention. The WOTY in 2023 was FORWARD after feeling like I was in neutral partially due to the pandemic restrictions but also in response to changes in my aging mother’s circumstances. I was in a holding pattern. How did the word serve me? Well, at the end of 2023 I couldn’t remember what my WOTY was. Moving on to 2024, the WOTY is RESOLVE. I like a word that is both a noun & a verb. I need resolve in the form of determination & faith in my capabilities as I move forward in the final 3rd of my life. Dealing with my aging mother continues. I know it can’t be predicted with accuracy but I’m guessing this may very well be the last year of her life. The changes in her circumstances in the past 4 years have had a ripple effect on my life. I will continue to put one foot in front of the other. Maybe FORWARD with RESOLVE?
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While a number of years my WOTY really helped, I have an equal number of years where I forgot what my word was! The ones where it helped, I put the word in front of me – literally. A mug with the word JOY, a screen saver with SOAR, and a journal with Release. To me, Resolve is a complicated word…I wish you the best with it, and peace with the circumstances you find yourself in.
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Last year was the first year in a decade that I didn’t pick a WOTY and I had a lousy year, so this year I’m back into. I’ve picked *light* as it has many definitions and therefore is versatile enough to be helpful in many situations, guiding me to do better– or maybe to just not backslide.
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Ally, I hope you’ll write a bit through the year how your WOTY is playing out. Light does have many dimensions. My favorite I think would be “take things lightly”, as that leads to my potential WOTY of Accept. But then there’s Be the Light, Light-seeker, Light-worker, Live lightly. Yeah, lots of ways you can take it! Fun.
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Hi Pat, I think a ‘lifestyle vision’ is similar to a WOTY as it helps you to focus on something specific and realistic. If that is what provides structure and comfort for you then stick with it. P.S. I love the quote, ‘Go where you are celebrated, not merely tolerated.’
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Suzanne, Isn’t that quote wonderful? It’s really made me think about where (and with whom) I spend my time. It’s a bit amazing to me that my lifestyle vision statement has stuck with me now for a number of years, and continues to provide me with structure. I guess it’s a case of, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!
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Any of your words of the year beat Oxford’s word of the year, “rizz.” I had to look it up, because I’m too old to rizz. Thinking is still good, just don’t overdo. 😊
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Fran, I know! Rizz? I have not even heard it being used when the claimed it word of the year. I would have thought a word of the year we would have heard being used….even if we’re “old”.
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Hi Pat – I’m a huge fan of having a Word of the Year because it frees me from thinking I need to make resolutions! Donna (another blogger) as “Pocket Words” where she has several words that she keeps to herself, but comes back to regularly to check in on how she’s going throughout the year – that might be a good fit for the words that are floating around in your head.
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I recall Donna’s Pocket Words idea. I like the idea of that and might try it. Thanks for the reminder.
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