
It’s that time again, those winter days when I reflect on the past 12 months and carefully choose what word(s) will guide me for the year ahead. Words that I will keep in mind and can turn to when I need a little nudge in the right direction.
Some years the choice comes to me quickly. But as 2020 ended and 2021 came around I was still scribbling suggestions in my journal, turning words over in my mind as I walked or while in the shower, trying to find out what it was I really wanted to emphasise in 2021. In the end I selected the words EXPLORE WITH EASE.
What I am inviting in my life this year is having energy to explore new activities or topics with a sense of ease. Often when I try new things, the overachiever voice in my mind tends to insist loudly that whatever I decide to do must make absolute sense and be done as efficiently and perfectly as possible. This doesn’t leave me much wiggle room for experimenting or making mistakes. All this pressure can feel quite paralysing, turning anything new into a big deal and frankly putting me off trying at all if I cannot be assured that I will succeed with flying colours. That’s why I want to add EASE to the equation.
By doing so, I feel like I can let go of the worry of pushing myself too hard, berating myself if I ‘do it wrong’ and feeling drained. I will do my part to identify what I am curious to explore and I will look out for ways in which I can bring ease along for the ride. I already have a bunch of ideas to delve into: doing more freelance work, experimenting more with photography, reading books that are outside my comfort zone, improving my writing, finding a new part-time job, exploring new destinations by train and meeting like-minded people (when we can travel and gather safely again)… I trust that by being mindful, I can identify ways to lower the bar, allow the possibility of making mistakes and keep the process light and fun!
Have you chosen a word for 2021? I’d love to hear what it is and why!
*****
In case you are curious, these are the words that I chose to guide me in the last years:
- 2020 : DARE
- 2019 : IT WILL WORK
- 2018 : GENTLE ALIGNMENT
- 2017 : GROW (SUSTAINABLY)
I love your idea of exploring with ease. A word that I have chosen is ‘self-care’. When I try new things or travel to new places, I end up trying everything that’s on offer and often I end up feeling completely worn out. This year, I wanna take time to savour slowly whatever comes my way. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead! Aiva 🙂
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Dear Aiva, thanks for your message! Self-care is a great word and I love your idea of taking time to savour slowly. That’s beautiful and very inspiring! I wish you lots of wonderful calm moments to enjoy slowly to the fullest ❤ Take good care! Greetings from Amsterdam!
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Hello from the rainy UK,
Your post resonates completely with me, my husband and I both struggle with this and it gets in the way of so much creativity. I wanted to pass on something I heard in an interview with Peter Gabriel, he said, ‘Creativity comes from the freedom to fail, and the freedom to fail comes from experimentation, and that’s what gives something it’s individuality.’ I remind myself of this whenever I get an idea that I won’t let myself explore for the same reasons you have written about here.
I really enjoy your posts, thank you.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year,
Kate
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Dear Kate,
Thank you so much for sharing those wise words from Peter Gabriel. So true ❤
I wish you a wonderful 2021 with lots of exciting possibilities to explore and experiment, as well as giving ourselves the room to 'fail';-)
Take good care and stay safe!
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