I haven’t been living under a rock – but I’ve never “done” a word of the year thing. So I decided to jump on the train/boat/plane and do it this year.
This isn’t like a New Years resolution – because, honestly, I don’t think those work. And it’s probably been statistically proven somewhere.
My word of the year is: Peace – which includes gratitude and accepting. Even letting go and decluttering
Peace is defined as mental calmness; serenity. It also means freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
To have peace (for me) means to be confident in my decisions and to have no fear – and I am striving for those two things in my life this year. Anxiety and stress come from fear and worry.
One of my biggest challenges over the last year (or two) has been that of dealing with both fear and worry.
Fear of failure, fear of success. Fear of rejection and criticism. Fear of not being good enough and this whole imposter syndrome stuff.
Worry – about the future and things that probably won’t come to pass, my kids, my health, finances, relationships – and the list goes on.
I’ve decided I no longer want to be the biggest obstacle in my own path. I no longer want to keep myself from taking the necessary steps to achieving my goals.
I think part of the reason most of us struggle with being “in peace” or having peace is because we struggle to love ourselves. Not accepting who we are and just trying to fit in in the world and society.
I just want to be ok with not being ok all the time. At the same time be grateful, accept and let go of what is not serving me (or others) and have more self-compassion.
So how, now, am I going to go about this?
Peace and Gratitude
I’m not really a journalling kind of person. I’d start and stop (for a couple of years) and then start again.
But… I started off the year with a gratitude journal that was gifted to me by one of my awesome coaches Esther de Charon.
Easy peasy – just three things every day that I’m grateful for.
Good days start with a gratitude journal
Another gift from my dear coach Sigrun is slightly different but also definitely worth doing. Becoming – A guided journal for discovering your voice by Michelle Obama. This will take a little longer and deeper look inside.
A guided journal for discovering your voice
The interesting thing is that I had already decided before the end of the year what my WOTY (word of the year) was going to be – and these two journals only came much later. So there must be something to this.
Peace and Accepting and letting go
Now this ain’t an easy task.
Letting go of expectations and learning to accept that I can’t control everything and everyone around me. Especially my kids – you know that mother hen syndrome.
Also letting go of “what will so and so think of me” and just worry about what I think of myself. Not taking myself too seriously, but having fun in the process
Leaving room for mistakes, meaning, that we all learn from our mistakes – and Rome was not built in a day.
“To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be. When we let be with compassion, things come and go on their own.” –Jack Kornfield
Peace and Compassion
Self compassion first. Giving myself room to be human, flawed and sensitive, maybe even unproductive without judging myself harshly. Generally just being kind to myself. Cultivate acceptance so as not to shut myself down and not lose faith in my own potential.
Peace and Clearing the clutter
This clearing clutter thing has been around for almost a year now. And I STILL have not got my sh!t together and sorted out what needs to stay or go. We’re talking about physical stuff – like in my office and the cellar.
There’s also the mental decluttering that needs attention. I feel my brain is on overload – so many thoughts and ideas floating around my brain.
I want to think clearly and make decisions easily. Not have too much to do and not enough time to do it in.
I want to free up some headspace to be able to feel calmer, stay focused on what needs to get done in the business and think more clearly.
I want more peace in my life. I want financial peace. I want peace within my heart. I want peace in my mind. I want peace at home. I want peace in my business.
I want peace – PERIOD
On a final note I’ll leave you with this quote: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”