Let’s Close Out Our 2020 Word of the Year.
Did you have a Word of the Year for 2020? I did…it’s the first time I’ve really committed to one…and I didn’t even really put any thing on paper, but it was in my head all year and on my mind as I completed my work, made choices for my family, and decided what to do with the down time I had.
What was that word for me? Clarity. I think that Clarity and Vision were probably two of the most used words for 2020 due to the connection to 20/20 vision! Did I work? Did I find Clarity? Well, let’s just say…be careful what you wish for…there were moments of such clarity that I thought I may have willed this dumpster fire of year into being!
What we have to do, though, is focus on the POSITIVES of the year, and let the rest go…even if it feels like 2020 is going to roll on into 2021. We have to take words from the amazing, and always inspiring Dolly Parton:
In a post back in March, I wrote about some ways that we might look for Clarity during ‘lockdown’. I actually DID do many of the things I listed. The things that helped the most were unplugging, getting outside as often as possible, and diving into scripture. For each of us, what clarity looks like this year is going to be a little different, but I’d guess not too far off base. In order to really get to the clear place I wanted to land, I did have to some evaluating, some study, some testing, and some honest, hard looks at the realities of my life. Here are some of the ways and places I brought my word to fruition:
- Scripture. It’s ok to read it just for the sake of reading it. It’s also important to actually study and absorb it. So many times, I’ve tried to ‘read through the Bible in a year,’ and failed miserably. I always seem to get stuck in the begots – Guess what? that’s ok. I’m pretty sure at some point in my life, I’ve read every verse, if not close to it. What I have been doing this year – not daily, as I’d like, but often – is journaling. I don’t mean writing a journal. I just copy the scripture onto an adjacent page with scripture journals. It works for me. I’m a note taker. I love taking notes in classes and during sermons. I don’t usually do much with those notes, but this past year, I have actually used them quite a bit. Because I’m trying to blog consistently, and love sharing scripture insights with you, these notes have been VERY helpful. I am usually behind on journaling, so when I get to the page with the notes, I often have a fresh perspective on them. God has given me so much insight and such a deeper understanding of his Word through my pastor, and through journaling my way slowly through individual books of the Bible.
- Branding Myself. That’s a vague general term, I know. And I mean more than just creating a logo and color scheme. I mean finding my personality and ‘niche’ for my business. The fun thing is, I’ve realized I may not really have a niche, but I will working on narrowing down blog and social media topics…and I’ll keep the random, seemingly unrelated posts for TikTok or other things (more on that tomorrow.) I wasn’t really happy with the short elevator pitch for ‘what I do’, so I had to figure out what it is I ACTUALLY do, and what I WANT to do, what I am being led to do.
- My Way is ok. So many people in my world have so much advice, and it’s GREAT advice. The methods are there. The process is there. There are ways to do things that are EFFECTIVE and WORK. AND WORK WELL! But they may not work for YOU – and that is ok! I’ve played with things, I’ve tried things, I’ve learned what I am capable of managing and being effective at, I’ve learned what I enjoy, and what I don’t (Yes, if we’re going to run our own businesses, there will ALWAYS be things we have to do that we don’t enjoy, but, for the most part, it should be productive, fruitful, and ENJOYABLE!) Someone even said at one point to not mix faith with business. Well, I’m not ok with that. My faith is a tremendous part of who I am and of my purpose. If I can’t share that, and let it be part of my business, I’d rather just get a regular job.
- Priorities have changed. Being a mother, I’ve to SERIOUSLY step back from myself, my work, my personal goals this year in order to focus on supporting my children and being available to them, AND keeping up with what’s going on with their educations. Having a background in education helped, but in NO WAY prepared ANY OF US for what had to be done this year. Luckily, our teachers have been AMAZING, gracious, communicative, encouraging, and honest. I also saw very early in the year that I was going to have to stay on top of housework a little more, with everyone being home. That’s a topic we will have to jump into a little more tomorrow, as well. Priorities shifted to my sanity and well being, basic self care, ensuring that the needs of my family were met, and that I was available to them. Did I do it all perfectly? Absolutely not…my girlfriends would crack up and show you about 679,486 text messages and gifs to the contrary. I have laughed, cried, even screamed a few times.
- Purpose. I’m not sure I’m quite finished with this one. I’m still working on it…but it’s MUCH clearer now. Yes, I sell hair accessories. But there’s SO MUCH MORE than that…that’s just a little piece of the puzzle that makes the rest possible. What is the rest? Encouragement, sharing Christ, serving when, where, and how I can, writing, telling stories, getting things out of my head and out into the world. There is so much crazy in that head, you may not want to see it all, but I do believe there’s some great and valuable stuff there, too. I have found my platforms. I have found my ‘things.’
- Limitations. This was a big one for me…I had this lie in my head that if I just….I can…I will…it will be different…it will be better. Well, you can guess how that worked out! Yea. So, I’ve learned to NOT volunteer for everything I’m passionate about it. Passion for something doesn’t mean you can do ALL THE THINGS…I’ve learned to set limitations on my exertion – mental and physical. I unplug often (annoys the crap out of my friends and family sometimes), if I know something demanding is coming up, I intentionally schedule downtime and rest. I allow myself to nap when my body needs that. I try to make intentional choices that will benefit my mind and body, but I’m also ok with (quite literally) doing nothing.
- It’s ok to get a puppy just because you want one. Or whatever else it is that you want. If you can afford it without harming your budget, if you can maintain and care for it properly, darlin – go for it. We all need a little brightness. Luckily, in my case, the entire household was on board with the puppy.
Goodness. I could go on with this for HOURS…
My favorite activities for rest and renewal this year, and I highly recommend all of them:
- Laying outside and looking up the sky. We have a wooden platform in the backyard, under the shade of a tree. It’s so peaceful and calm. It’s my happy place.
- Short walks.
- Scripture Journaling.
- Reading for pleasure (something I haven’t done much in quite some time. I missed that.)
- Puppy Therapy. (aka, laying on the couch and just snuggling with her).
- Engaging more with my children, in whatever activities they are doing, or pulling them more into my activities. The door swings both ways.
So, taking cues from Dolly, I’ve done so much ‘taking a breath’ and making a choice to improve whatever crappy situation has reared it’s head, and we have managed to survive the year. I’m looking forward to 2021 and all the fun we will have, and perhaps we will find some balance to what looks like it will still be a bit ‘abnormal’, you know – the new abnormal normal.
What was your word for 2020? Did choosing that word have an impact on your year? It certainly did for me, and I’m so excited for my 2021 word, that I’m having a hard time not telling you about it TODAY! But, I’m saving it!!!! You’ll just have to check back.
Thanks for stopping by, as always, it’s an honor to be a part of your world!
Have a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve!
Much Love to you and yours!
Cindi
Self proclaimed Godmother of the Messy Bun Mafia.
