My word for 2022
Do you have a word for 2022? Or have you heard of people setting a word for their year? I abandoned resolutions years ago and hopped on the ‘word’ bandwagon instead - and I’m much happier here. My word of the year serves as my North Star, a point of focus around which I can orient my life. It’s a quality that I want to manifest, exude, and experience more of - and aligning my actions with it contributes to my growth.
The one word practice is in vogue, and for good reason. It’s simple, but can have a profound impact on how you meet the 365 days of the year. Plus, traditional resolutions just don’t work. I’m over them and I’m sure many of you are too. In fact, some studies have suggested that a mere 4% of people keep their resolutions throughout the entire year. What’s worse, the vast majority of Americans give up on their resolutions by February 1 and 1 in 7 don’t even believe, from the beginning, that they’ll follow-through with their resolutions.
There are certainly ways to increase the likelihood that you’ll stick to your resolutions (hint: it’s all about understanding how habits work), but I’m a much bigger fan of focusing your year on a word and aligning your actions throughout the year with that broader intention. Then, you can focus on monthly milestones and weekly tasks to move yourself toward the vision you have for your life.
One important aspect of the word-creation process, for me, is that I don’t force it. I allow a word to present itself and sometimes, as in 2021, it doesn’t become crystal clear until February. This year, I gave myself space to try on a few words, to see how each one felt. 2021 was deeply challenging on a personal level - and globally, of course - and I didn’t want to rush this process because, quite frankly, I was exhausted. A couple words finally came to mind on December 31 and January 1, but they didn’t feel totally right. And then, it hit me! It arrived loud and clear in the middle of my first Peloton spin workout post-holidays (I get most of my great ideas during workouts or in the shower - anyone else?).
MY WORD FOR 2022 IS LIGHT.
Last year was heavy, as was the year before, so now, I’m ready for the exact opposite of that. Light has so many meanings and all of them feel good, resonating with where I am right now. So, here are my LIGHT-related commitments for 2022:
I will allow - and recognize - moments of levity, even during my most difficult days and seasons
I will intentionally connect with my inner light (through journaling, meditating, sweating, and creating moments of silence), protecting it so that external circumstances do not dim it too much or for too long
I will share my light with my family, my friends, the athletes I work with, and all of you who have chosen to be part of this community
I will spend as much time in natural light as possible
I will do more of what lights me up and eliminate anything, within my power, that drags me down
When I say the word LIGHT, I immediately breathe deeper. It feels good. That’s how I know that this is my word.
“Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the world” -Rumi
So, I’m curious, do you have a word for 2022? If so, I’d love to hear it. Leave a comment below.
Cheers to a light-filled year for you!