The Easiest New Year’s Resolution

I’m a bit of a New Year’s resolution junkie. Ever since my third-grade teacher read “The Diary Of Anne Frank” to my class, I’ve been writing in journals, often starting a new one with my goals for the year. I’ve written lists and made diagrams, set detailed goals, and scribbled vague dreams. Lately, however, as life has gotten busier, I’ve found one style of resolution that works really well: the one-word resolution. Have you tried it? You can choose any word, but a verb, an action word, is most effective if you want to make a change.

How To Find Your Word

One of my favorite yoga instructors (thanks, Jenn) asked us to set a one-word intention for ourselves while we practiced. For the first time in class, my mind didn’t wander off to the mess I’d left behind at the house, or what to make for dinner. It was easy to come up with and focus on one word.

If sitting in a quiet yoga studio isn’t your style, here are some other ways to come up with your one-word New Year’s resolution:

1. Reflect on your year, and think of the one thing you wish you had done more.
2. Think a moment, an hour, or a day when you were lost in thought or activity. What were you doing?
3. Set a timer for a minute and write down as many verbs that come to mind. Then pick the one that resonates with you the most.

Here are some ideas to get you started…

Relationship

Career And Volunteering

Health And Wellness

My Words

Two years ago, I wrote this post about 3 Types of New Year’s Resolutions. If you’ve struggled to find a way to keep your resolutions, take a look. That year, I actually tried three different sets of resolutions, a list for the year, monthly goals, and one word.

My one word that year was “connect.” I had just started my blog to share my thoughts on style, decor, and wellness with others. Last year, I chose “create” as I realized I am lost in thought when I am writing or creating content. This year, I am choosing “capture” to focus on my photography, both for this blog and for my kids who seem to be growing up at the speed of light! It also reminds me, that when I don’t have a camera on hand, I need to pause and keep a snapshot of a moment in my mind.

Your New Year’s Resolution

It helps to write down and keep your one word where you can see it.

1. Print it on paper and display it somewhere you’ll see it daily. (You can also take a photo and save it as a screensaver.)
2. Write it in a planner to remind yourself to schedule time and activities to practice your one-word.
3. My daughter picked out this blank journal for me to record my one-word, and my thoughts for 2020.

Let me know whether you have a New Year’s resolution or a few? How do you hold yourself accountable?