ERT - A SENSE OF PURPOSE OR MOMENTUM
As part of my exploration of my Word of the Year "Mindful" I've come across a few terms recently that have caught my eye. They're words that have depth and meaning to them, and they carry a little "something" that I'd like to incorporate into my own life. I've chosen five to explore further over March - which is my month of meaningful, mindful reflection.
She goes on to say...
Ert is that tiny spark within us that reaches out of the mess of daily life towards what is good, and towards what it is we most crave to be, do and love.
It’s having a purpose. It’s finding meaningful engagement, it’s finding a meaningful hobby that absorbs your fascination to a place where depression just can’t get in. It just can’t exist when you are in that place. So that’s ert. Finding something you love.
SOMETHING TO LOVE, MEANINGFUL WORK, SELF-CARE
If we get it right, ert can colour our days with purpose and momentum, it's the happiness that comes from living a meaningful life and from whatever feels right and a good fit for propelling you forward.Julia states that Ert and finding our purpose comes from a combination of someone/something to love; meaningful work; and self care. Actively, intentionally, and consistently engaging in these areas to find a fulfilling way of living.
1. Someone/Something to Love (Relationships & Interests)
Loving Others: Having a supportive partner or loved ones who share a commitment to buliding into us and supporting our growth.Loving Activities: Engaging in interests or hobbies that bring joy, enthusiasm, and a sense of belonging to our life.
Purpose: Finding the "why" behind our actions, which gives them direction and meaning, keeping us connected to our core values.
2. Meaningful Work (Something to Do)
Purposeful Action: Engaging in tasks that provide a sense of contribution and fulfillment.
Aligned Effort: Doing work that aligns with our personal values, leading to a more satisfying existence rather than just working for an income.
Aligned Effort: Doing work that aligns with our personal values, leading to a more satisfying existence rather than just working for an income.
3. Self-Care (Nurturing the Self)
Proactive Well-being: Treating self-care as a non-negotiable, proactive practice to maintain emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental health.
Types of Care: Includes physical care (sleep, nutrition), mental care (boundaries, hobbies), and emotional care (processing feelings).
Self-Care as Love: Viewing self-care as a way to show up as our best self for others.
Types of Care: Includes physical care (sleep, nutrition), mental care (boundaries, hobbies), and emotional care (processing feelings).
Self-Care as Love: Viewing self-care as a way to show up as our best self for others.
KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING
If we want to feel like we're proactively moving forward in life we need to maintain the momentum rather than stalling and treading water. A few ways to do this include:
Taking Action: Momentum is built by taking small, consistent, and intentional steps, not by waiting for inspiration.
Turning on the Tap: By integrating these three components into daily life, we create a "momentum tap" that keeps topping up our energy in the tank.
Sustainability: Focusing on progress over perfection, and adjusting as necessary to maintain a positive, forward-moving trajectory.
Sustainability: Focusing on progress over perfection, and adjusting as necessary to maintain a positive, forward-moving trajectory.
If we can cultivate each of these areas in ways that feel meaningful (it's different for each of us I'm sure), we create a self-sustaining cycle of energy, purpose, and happiness - basically we find our "ert".
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Had you heard of "Ert" before? I was surprised that it wasn't actually a "word" as such, but rather an invented term that derives from it's opposite. I'm liking the idea of positive "ert" over the dullness of "inertia" - something that's easy to slip into if we don't find our momentum.
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Hi Leanne - I hadn’t come across the term "Ert" before, but the concept of it being the "opposite of inertia" is quite interesting. Purpose isn't always a destination, but often found in the small steps we take to keep the "momentum tap" running. Thank you for sharing these insights.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep - I love that words can be created to express an idea - and this one caught my attention and stayed with me. I'm not a fan of being busy, but I also don't want to sink into inertia and boredom. The idea of forward momentum in small steps really appeals to me - especially if it's positive and good.
DeleteThat word caught my attention in her book too. That and apricity - that feeling of warmth on a winter's day.
ReplyDeleteI love a good word that has positive vibes to it Jo. I'd forgotten about apricity - I think Ert stuck in my head as a potential WOTY - but it was a great fit for my Mindful March.
DeleteHi Leanne, I really enjoyed Julia Baird's book but found I had to read it in small bites. She had a great insight into so many issues and I don't remember the word 'ert' but it's certainly an interesting concept! Like Jo says, the word apricity is also a good one. Thanks for these snippets and new words/ideas, it's a great way to use our words of the year with intentionality.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I only remembered Ert because it struck a chord at the time and I noted it down. I had to go back for a deep dive to find where it was in the book (yay for Google!) I also read it in bites - it wasn't what I'd expected when I started, but I did enjoy all the anecdotes and the positivity she shared.
DeleteLove Ert It is what I want to feel as opposed to inertia.
ReplyDeleteI loved it too Judith - it had such a proactivity to it - but in a good way rather than a pushy way...
DeleteYour new word exploration is fun. I doubt though that this one will become anything I use regularly, although it fits me. I've never been one to not take action!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I don't use it regularly either, but I liked the "vibe" of it - forward momentum but with a warmth and goodness behind the "push" - rather than forcing or competing to make progress.
DeleteYour quest in 2026 is to both be mindful and to share your finds. Good going Leanne. I have read Julia's books...the one most recently Bright Shining ...where she shares more of her life threatening illness, recovery and so much more. She is one clever communicator for sure. I am enjoying your explorations. Denyse x
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I found Phospherescence quite an engaging read - a few things caught my attention and I think a lot of women reach a point in life when they start questioning a lot of assumptions, and then they journey their way through to a more mindful way to do life where it feels like a better fit - I think we're heading in that direction. x
DeleteHi Leanne, I confess that I don’t think I’ve found ert in retirement yet… I need to work on momentum. Chrissie
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - a little inertia in retirement is quite relaxing, I think the key is to find momentum that doesn't feel like it's being done just to prove something to others. It's doing what feels right, in our own time, and at our own pace - something that I never got to do until I finished work. :)
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