It’s that time again, folks! January 1 is almost here, and now is your chance to kick off 2013 with fresh New Year’s resolutions.
Last year, I wrote about a simple, effective approach to resolutions that caught my attention: instead of making a long list of everything you want to accomplish, you choose just one word to be your focal point for the year. The idea is that you can turn to your word when you are in need of guidance, and it will help shape your goals, decisions and priorities.
The Create Write Now journal writing community had a fantastic response to this concept, and we heard some great words that you chose for 2012: Discover, Trust, Writing, Health and Transformation, to name a few. If you participated last year, take this opportunity to reflect on your experience and choose a new word for 2013; if you are new to one-word New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to get started!
Journal Writing for a Brave New Year
1. Did you set a New Year’s resolution last year (one word or otherwise)? What was it? Why did you select it? Overall, how do you think you did in working toward your resolution over the course of the year? Did you stick with it consistently, abandon it after a month or go in fits and starts? What was most challenging? What was most rewarding? What did you learn?
2. Do a free-writing word brainstorm in your personal journal to help you narrow down your options for this year’s resolution. Set a timer for five minutes, and jot down any words or ideas that come to mind; for example: peaceful, change, gratitude, wellness, learn or enjoy.
3. Read through what you’ve written and think about which words would fit into the big picture of your priorities for the near future. What word best sums up what you want out of the next year? What word do you think will be a source of comfort or inspiration when you need it most?
4. Chooses your word and write it in big letters on a page in your journal, on a piece of paper on your wall, on your mirror or anywhere else you will see it often. Happy New Year, and good luck!
Thanks to my journal, I have two one-word resolutions: Healing and Self-Expression. And you? What's yours (or do you have more than one, too)?
Still time to sign up for the 27Days Life Changing Journal Writing Challenge. Happy New Year!
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