I like choosing a word or phrase of the year in lieu of setting sweeping New Year's resolutions. The word or phrase becomes a guide I can continually return to when I feel uncertain. The word or phrase reminds me of where I want to focus my attention that year, which helps me as I make everyday decisions.
I've been creating a word or phrase of the year for at least seven years, though I've forgotten what most of them were (I do remember "play" and "flow like water"). Unfortunately, I've also forgotten where I learned this idea, so I can't give credit where credit is due, but I do know that I didn't come up with it myself.
In 2023, my word was "ease."
I feel like, in ways, my newsletter archives (all 34 weeks of them!!!) act as a record of me attempting to live my life with ease.
I approached ease somewhat backwardly, by looking at my life and identifying what was blocking ease. I became mindful of when my sympathetic nervous system was activated*, noticed what triggered it, then made changes accordingly, removing or reducing flight-or-flight triggers from my life as much as I could.
In the spirit of ease, I won't list all the stuff I gave up or link to the newsletters about them again. I feel like I've done that so many times it's become tedious. Also in the spirit of ease, I'll keep my reflection on ease short:
I definitely live my life with more ease now than I did a year ago.
But, I also recognize, ironically, that the approach I took to living with ease wasn't the most easeful approach available.
My quest for ease will continue, albeit in a different form, which I will write about next week. (Hint: no longer a “quest,” really).
I'm very grateful I had this year to drill down and reflect on my life so deeply. Life is always changing, of course, but I don't think I've personally ever experienced this many significant lifestyle changes in one year before. I'm also very grateful to those of you who have followed along, especially anyone who's liked or commented or paid for a subscription or reached out to discuss something I wrote. It meant a lot. You are good readers and your feedback is important to me.
I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year's Eve. I often feel disconnected from American holidays, but New Year's is one of my favorites. It isn't tied to any religions or historical wars or the military (as far as I know). It's simple, elegant: the earth went around the sun one more time and we're all still on it, woo hoo!
I also wish you all a new year of ease and whatever other elements you’re desiring. Do you choose a word of the year? If so, feel free to share it. :)
*After finding this link, I was surprised by one part of the page, which would've perfectly fit in with last week's newsletter (italics mine): "Prescription and recreational drug abuse, as well as frequent heavy drinking, can have toxic effects and damage your sympathetic nervous system." More evidence that drinking alcohol contributed to me developing fibromyalgia, which is commonly thought of as a disorder of the sympathetic nervous system.
I love this. The message behind “ease” is very healthy. I think I will also pick a word to sum up 2023, instead of making resolutions for the new year. I love looking back and moving forward. Reminds me of the quote: “It is alright to look back, but just don’t stare.”