I have struggled to come up with my theme for this year. I feel like it is more challenging than usual. I really wanted to go with “Less Is More” again. It was my theme back in 2018 and I still feel like that is a desired focus for me and very much what I want for this year. I debated if I should use the same theme again. There are no real “rules” here so I could do this again, yet part of me wants to try something different.
Another idea for this year’s theme was “Flow.” I want to be in flow more, which means being effective and “in the zone” without a lot of effort. I want to flow downstream rather than feel like I am paddling upstream. Being in flow is miraculous and easy and enjoying things so much that you literally lose time. I started reading the book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and I just couldn’t get into it. It felt heavy so I have decided to shelve that book and desired theme for now. I don’t think I am ready for it yet.
Related to this, and another concept that keeps coming up for me, is to go with the flow more. This is related to flow yet is different. I am an over-controller, especially when I am stressed. I try to control everything and I want things to go a certain expected way. I want to “embrace the messiness” because I think a lot of wonderful and powerful things can happen if or when you do this. Part of this theme is having faith that things will turn out for the best without over analyzing and over thinking. Every. Little. Thing.
I thought about the theme of “embrace the messiness” but the image and word messiness is not one I truly want to focus on. I want less messiness in my house (hence the desire for Less is More) and in my life so that was not the right wording. What I do want, is to embrace my creativity and being more present, more in the moment instead of planning ahead.
I want to be curious and explore and try new things. I want to consistently take the best next step based on where I am, at that moment, and how I feel and not force myself to stick to “the plan” and all of my (limiting) expectations.
What comes to mind is the Improv exercise where performers don’t have a script and keep building on what their co-performers have said or done. They say, “Yes and”. They have to pay attention to what is said and then quickly think on their feet. It is about accepting the current situation and working cooperatively with those around you. Creative and wonderful things can happen with this exercise.
I view this year as a building and foundational year of more good things to come. I am still going slow and trying to go slower. I am pausing and treading water a bit with the current situation and my boys home from school so much. I am still trying to organize my house and get rid of the things we don’t need or want. I want to start working on a book and creating something that will help others and inspire positive change.
I want to take risks and play with my creativity and putting myself out there. I want to be generous with my knowledge and expertise to help others. I want to be open and connect with God and all the miracles and people around me. I want to do the little things that make a difference, YET I want to enjoy each day and the journey. I want to feel like I have an abundance of time and resources to share with others. I want to stay out of overwhelm.
Listing and thinking about all that I want for the year, I have decided that my theme for 2021 is “Creating.” I want to embrace and build on my creativity. Being good at math and science and becoming an engineer, I used to think I was not creative. I had a fixed mindset and limiting belief around this. I am creative and I want to build on my creativity. Everyone is creative. I want to create a strong foundation for my big dreams of the future and creating each day so that I enjoy the present. I want to create the life I want. I want to create connections, relationships, laughter and beautiful moments.
Creating conjures up images of beauty, growth, art, learning, starting over, building, play, risks and most of all fun. I can carry this intentional idea into every area of my life and use it to help me grow in new ways and continue to better myself.
Those of you who know me well know I have an AWFUL sense of direction. I have a paranoia / phobia of getting lost. When I get lost I start panicking which never helps the situation. One of my intentions for the year is to enjoy the journey without knowing exactly where I am going. To become more comfortable with the uncertainty and not have super specific goals or expectations. I am going to say “Yes and” create.
What is your theme or phrase or word for the year?
I would love to hear what you have come up with or what you are considering. It is NOT too late to come up with your theme for the year.
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