Word of the Year: Me

With the new year officially in full swing, there is so much positivity in the air. Fresh beginnings are abundant, outlooks on life are renewed and, of course, the infamous “New Year’s Resolutions” are still hanging over our head.

Here’s the problem though; who actually sticks with resolutions? I can count on one hand how many NYR’s I’ve actually kept up with: Zero. Zilch. Nada. Depressing isn’t it? By the way—if you actually stick to your guns I have so much respect for you, because I have yet to do so. By the time February comes, that beautiful positivity goes right down the drain and I’m stuck with the same problems and unhappiness. The only difference is the year number plastered all over everything.

I get a lot of inspiration from my mother, (you can read about another one in my blog “Who Are you? Like, Really?”), and this year was no different. When we were talking about what the new year was going to bring, I brought up the whole rezzie comment and how I thought they were useless for me because I never actually stay on them.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, mom. I get so down whenever I lose sight of my goals and then don’t make them, so I’m not making them this year.”

Her response changed my life.

“I feel exactly the same way, so I’m doing it a little differently. I'm doing a ‘Word for 2018.’"

I’ll summarize the hour-plus conversation in a paragraph. You choose a word you want to be a focus for the year. Whatever you do, wherever you go, you ask yourself, “Does this further my word for 2018?” If yes, then go for it. If no, then evaluate why it doesn’t and make a change.

As always, I was dumbfounded by my mother’s infinite wisdom. It’s something so simple, and yet so much more positive. Rather than beating yourself up because you couldn’t get away from work to go to the gym, you could actually figure out a plan to make sure you are doing what’s best for you.

My word for 2018 is “Me.”

Now, this might seem like a self-centered millennial post, but I assure you it’s not that. It’s a self-awareness millennial post.  

I was given the opportunity to attend the Women of the Channel Conference at the end of last year, and understanding your worth was one of the most popular topics. As women we have a tendency to devalue ourselves and not even realize it. Literally, figuratively, we put ourselves down without batting a perfectly mascaraed eyelash.

Sitting in that seat I was so empowered listening to these women talk about how much they believed in themselves, only did things that made them happy, and most importantly: TOLD PEOPLE WHY THEY WERE GREAT. I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked to write a bio about myself and choke up: “Wait… how do I even talk about myself? Can’t people just figure out what I’m good at for me? This is probably too cocky, I’m going to change it.”

So when my mom drops this knowledge bomb on me about choosing a word, the first thing that came to mind was “me.” I instantly shook the thought out, true to form, and tried to think of things like “happiness, success, etc.,” but nothing really encompassed everything in just one word except “Me.”

Women are pleasers. We like to make people happy, do a great job, and hope someone notices. But in doing that we end up chipping away at ourselves and live our lives for other people because we’ve grown up being told (even if not outright) that we shouldn’t be selfish. Nah, B. I’m over that.

There’s a difference between being selfish and being self-aware. I’m making this the year of Me.

So I ask you… What is your word for 2018?