Yes, folks! Finally! My #OneWord for 2016 has been chosen and it’s DISCOVER! A good, strong word and something that I’ve been thinking about for a really long time.
For me, the end of the year is always a time for reflection. What went right? What didn’t? I spent all of 2015 struggling. I couldn’t manage my schedule. I was stressed. I lacked sleep. My health was not good which undoubtedly was not helped by the other stuff I mentioned. It pains me to admit it, but I was not happy. I am normally a pretty happy person so I fought that and tried to be happy but it was just too much energy to maintain. And really, why should anyone have to fake it?
So when break came around and I had 25 days off, I fell apart. Truthfully, it began over Thanksgiving but didn’t actually happen until I was off. It’s like something in my head just went “poof” and that was that. No more.
First, I whined. Then became a little angry and then when I ended up hurting my foot I was forced to just sit down and be still and that is when my word came to me. I need to dig deep and discover who I really am and what I really want from life. The way I’ve been living is not the way I want to live.
Just to clarify. Family is good. Marriage is good. I love my family but I feel as if my mind is often occupied with time schedules, work carry-over, the sludge of every day life. I need an overhaul.
I wan to discover:
- New places (restaurants, book stores, museums).
- New outdoor spaces (parks, lakes, cool beach spots, etc.)
- New books.
- New recipes. I make the same stuff over and over.
- My creative side. I have one but it’s been buried for too long.
- New people. FUN, nice people.
- More beauty in everyday things.
- Art, and become more familiar with certain artists.
- Music. I’ve not listened to music in a really long time.
- New shows. Live theater specifically.
- Classic or historic places.
- My style. What the heck is it? I am all over the place.
I could go on and on but you get the idea. Isn’t DISCOVER a great word? It feels so promising and slightly adventurous. I love it.
I’ve been reading about some of your words but in case I missed it, if you have a word, let me know what it is in comments.
Book Chatter 
That sounds like a great word and — if not now, when?” I haven’t picked a word but, saw someone choose “simplicity” and that’s definite been my focus these days.
I chose simplicity one year and I don’t think I was able to focus on it as much as I wanted to.
First, sorry you have been in a low spot for a while… you’re strength/honesty to share is wonderful for yourself and others.
What you have outlined above is a lovely start. I listen to pandora almost every day: Enya, Kate Nash, Abba, and Once radio are a few of my favorites while working. Good luck finding a few options!
Things will get better once your son finishes high school – I promise. I hope you have plenty of time to discover all kinds of new things.
Well, I have to say, Tina, your One Word was worth the wait. 🙂 I think I’m only beginning to discover who I am too. It is a constant process. Good luck on your journey of discovery.
I was really frustrated over not being able to find a word. I had two that I thought worked but just weren’t right (Healing, Create). Blah. Not for me. The foot injury and having to sit down and do nothing is what finally allowed me time to focus on it. I am so happy with my word!
I look forward to seeing what all you creatively discover. Just be nice and easy with yourself. Have fun with it!
A wonderful word! I think it’s so interesting how very often people’s choices for these words can be boiled down to one of two things: Less or More. Some years, you want to open your arms and take all new things in, it seems like, and other years, you have too many things on the go and you have to cut back a bit. It’s interesting.
You nailed it. Less of the bad stuff, more of the good stuff. It’s so easy in theory but very hard to do in practice, at least for me. I keep trying!
Discover is a great word. I like it!
I am so sorry life has been so difficult this past year. I remember the years I had 4 kids still at home, each in different stages of life with different activities and interests-I thought I would go crazy trying to keep it all together and I didn’t even work outside the home at that time. When I read your posts about your upcoming week and what is scheduled, memories of my crazy busy years come flooding back. There never seems to be enough hours in the day! I hope your road to DISCOVER brings you peace and happiness and joy! I will attest that being able to explore my creative side (namely knitting) brings me much peace, happiness and calmness after a busy day. So I specifically hope you find a creative outlet you enjoy. Also music! When I am alone in my office in the afternoons, I put Pandora on. My favorite is my Frank Sinatra station! I also really like my Chris Tomlin station for Christian music.
My word for the year is “Mindful”.
Here’s to a great year, Ti!
xoxoox
Mindful is a good one. I am too distracted these days to zero in on calmness or anything resembling it, so I figured I’d go the other way and use all this nervous energy to find new stuff to be passionate about. Today, I am a bit anxious. I was yesterday too. I hardly ever get this way but for some reason, I am wound up.
I am happy to go along for the ride while you discover stuff! Oh boy!
Yes! It will make for some interesting posts, I think.
Wishing you success as you discover in 2016!
Thank you. I was beginning to get all worked up over not having a word which is really silly if you think about it. I feel really good about this one, though.
I think that ‘discover’ is a wonderful word for you. I’m so happy to hear the upbeat tone of this post. You are at a busy time of life, but there still needs to be a bit of time for Ti and her discoveries. Good luck! We’ll be interested in hearing what you find out about yourself and your world in 2016! Hugs!
Yes! In the past I’ve tried to fix things but I think what I need to do is just have more good days than bad and the rest will take care of itself. Seriously, 80% of the time I am in a good place but that 20% drains me.
I love your word! I think it’s something everyone wants to do but fail to make it a task or a project. I don’t have a word yet but I want to destress and stop people and events from taking over my sanity. I can get very worked up and in that regard, my husband is one of my best constants – he certainly keeps me rooted in a peaceful state of mind.
I usually choose a word that embodies less stress, etc. But I haven’t been successful with it. I think I just need to focus on filling my life with more good and the rest will fall into place.
Ti, what a fantastic word for the new year! I love it! May you discover all of the things on your list! I’m sure books will not be a problem for you 🙂 Sounds like last year was a tough one, so I’m hoping that this new year is a great one for you!!
I’m sure the death of my father so early in the year is what threw the entire year off. I didn’t realize it at the time but I’m sure that was a big piece of it.
This is a FANTASTIC word! I love it! I really do. There is so much promise and hope in it plus room for personal growth. I wish you all the success in discovering who you are and all of the new, great things in life!
It is a good word, isn’t it? As Bryan said, it was worth the wait. Plus, I want to incorporate my discoveries on the blog so that should be fun, too.
I cannot wait to see where you go with this one. I agree with Bryan; it was definitely worth the wait!
Super word! Have a great year of discovering!
Thank you! I plan to have a lot of fun with my word.
Great choice, Ti. I’m sorry to hear you had such a rough time… All I can say is that things move in seasons and the fact that you’ve become aware of your exact place in the greater scheme signifies that you’re moving into a new season. We all become stuck in a rut occasionally. But the sad thing is a great many of us never notice it… I wish you many discoveries in this new season of your life ❤
You know, it didn’t feel as if I was struggling when it was all happening but in hindsight, I see that I was. Maybe that’s a good thing. But, I am totally excited about my word and I didn’t feel that way last year with Rethink, dumb word 😉