LOOKING BACK AT MY WORD FOR 2017

looking back at my word for 2017 - "Enough"

MY WORD FOR 2017

Each January since I started blogging I've chosen a Word of the Year. In 2015 it was RELEASE, in 2016 it was EMBRACE and this year it was ENOUGH. I've included a link to each one if you're interested at all in why I chose those particular words. What I also do at the end of each year is to look back and see how it worked out for me.

ENOUGH

This year I chose the word "Enough" because I wanted to remind myself that I had more than I needed in life. I had more than enough and it was time to relax and appreciate all that I had been blessed with. I'd let stuff go and I'd made changes and embraced new things in my life over the last couple of years. Life was good and it was time to stop and smell the roses.

Midway through the year I noticed that my focus had changed slightly and it had become more about Being Enough rather than just Having Enough. It had morphed to looking more deeply into the life I have and taking the pressure off myself. It was about not trying to fit into the boxes other people have for me and accepting myself for who I am - and the fine balance involved in being true to myself but not treading on too many toes in the process.


SO HOW DID IT GO?

In some ways it's gone really well. I am finding a real sense of contentment with my lot in life. I seem to have reached a point when I'm not constantly striving to keep all the balls in the air. I've figured out what is important and stopped worrying so much about the future or over-thinking the past.

I've also learned a little bit more about being brave enough to be my own person. I've weathered a couple of major storms during the year with family and experienced some heartbreak but ultimately I realized that I can't hold myself accountable for every interaction I have with other people. I can't foresee the outcome of how someone will choose to interpret a situation - if they choose to be offended, I can be sorry for that and it can kill my heart, but in the end I can't tiptoe around on eggshells forever.

looking back at my word for 2017 - "Enough" and what it all meant

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

What 2017 has taught me is that I have finally reached a point where I have more than enough. I have worked hard and been frugal, I have scrimped and saved and now I get to reap some of that. We are comfortable - not living in the lap of luxury, or splurging money left, right and centre, but we're happy with what we have - and there's enough left over to keep the wolf from the door.

I've also learned that I am a worthy person - I'm nowhere near as perfect as I'd like myself to be (or as perfect as others might like me to be) but I'm more than enough. I am loved and I have people in my life who I love. I have family and friends, a job, a lovely home, hobbies and interests, and so much more - an abundance really.


MY WORD FOR 2018

I'm mulling over what my word for 2018 will be - I have a few tentative ideas and I'm hoping they'll crystallize into one word by the time January arrives. Do you have a Word of the Year? How did 2017 go? Are you planning a new word for 2018?

looking back at my word for 2017 - "Enough" and what it all meant

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14 comments

  1. HI, Leanne - I love how the meaning and direction of "enough" morphed for you throughout this past year. I look forward to reading about what word you choose for 2018!

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    1. Thanks Donna - I found it interesting to see the emphasis change too - I guess that's what happens with life - there are unexpected twists and turns.

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  2. I loved this post Leanne. It really touched me. I didn't purposefully choose "enough" for my word of the year, but life has dealt me some challenges, some of which I thought would devastate me, but I learned I am stronger than I gave myself credit for and that by living in the moment and not trying to save the world or even everyone I love, I could survive and thrive (even be joyous) in the face of hardship. I am enough.

    Then as I read your post I was reminded of how blessed I am. I have reached a similar point in my life as you describe for yours. I also have enough. Thank you for helping me to see and appreciate this. I too look forward to hearing your word for 2018!

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    1. It's really interesting that we are walking similar paths Christie - I love that we can encourage each other and it's so nice to know that I'm not alone when it comes to figuring out this whole Midlife/empty nest journey - thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, I really appreciate them x

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  3. Leanne, I like the idea of choosing a word for the year, but have never done it, despite being so inspired by your last few words of the year. If I were to choose one for 2018, it would likely be something like "today" or "now."

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    1. I think a lot of us are learning how important it is to live in the moment Jean and your two words reflect that - you can always keep it as an intention and not go the whole hog of a word for the year.

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  4. HI Leanne, I've shared your journey for another year and our friendship grows. My word for 2017 was Simplify and whilst I wouldn't give myself 100% I'm well on the way to letting go of material things and just enjoying life. My word for 2018 is Thrive - Over 50 & Thriving will be my focus. Have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to our new project together in 2018 x

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    1. I think you got quite a good handle on Simplify this year Sue - it's about finding out what's important and being intentional about that, rather than letting all the small stuff take over - and you've nailed that. I'm looking forward to your Thrive choice for next year - and all your guest postings AND our new project x

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  5. I know many people who do the word of the year. However, I an not among them. I wish you much luck with yours.

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    1. Thanks Elise - I like the concept much better than making resolutions that get forgotten two minutes after New Year. It works really well for me.

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  6. I really like the idea of the word for the year. At work, we usually have a word by our computer and we hold each other accountable for it. I have never thought about doing it for my personal life and for a whole year. I can wait to see your word for 2018.

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    1. Hi Marjorie - maybe one of those words by your computer will inspire you so much that you want to run with it for the rest of the year - you'll have to let me know if you find one x

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  7. Leanne, I've done a word of the year the last 2 and also find it interesting how it gives a foundation to the year. I found all three of your words intriguing as well and look forward to your 2018 pick. I'm mulling over my 2018 word also. 2016 was Joy and it worked great for my year... everyday I had coffee in my mug that stated "find joy in each day". 2017 was Live ... as in live your best life. I'm going to blog myself about how that worked for me . :-)

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.