Friday, January 9, 2015

Jumping on the Bandwagon - My Word of the Year

Over the past couple of years, there seems to be a new January trend - at least among bloggers. Instead of listing resolutions for the new year, many are instead choosing a single word on which to focus on for the next twelve months. This year I've seen some of my blog friends choose the words "Purge," "Free," and "Practice." In fact, earlier this week, we even considered our words of the year at a staff meeting where I work earlier this week! (Maybe it's not just a blogger thing!)

The truth is, I'm not usually one to jump on a bandwagon and, previously, I really couldn't wrap my head around choosing just one word to focus on for an entire year. But this year, as I read all those other posts and was asked to prayerfully consider what word I wanted to focus on in 2015, there was (finally) a single word that kept coming to mind. I guess you could say it "spoke" to me.



I have never been a confident person. I have always had a terrible habit of comparing myself to other people in a way that focuses on my flaws. "She is so much skinnier/prettier than I am." "She is a high powered executive and I'm just a mom." "She is such great singer. I wish I had some kind of talent." "I never do crafty things with my kids the way she does."  Over and over, I subconsciously convince myself that I am less than someone else and I need to stop. There are a couple specific areas in which I want to focus on confidence.

I did make a list of resolutions this year and one of them was: 


A couple weeks ago, my husband actually admitted to me that he is really tired of hearing me whine about "being fat." That was a tough pill to swallow but it made me realize that, honestly, I'm pretty tired of it, too. I am not a size 6, but I am also not a weight that is actually unhealthy. I will also admit that I have been dealing with some minor but annoying health symptoms that I need to figure out. I need to appreciate and have confidence in the body I have been given. It is certainly not perfect, but it has given me three beautiful children and has taken me many, many places. It's time for me to stop berating myself and be happy (or at least content) with my physical self.

Another reason I am making confidence my word of the year is that I tend to be rather indecisive. Mostly, that's because I don't trust myself and my own judgement. I am always second guessing my decisions. I weigh the pros & cons. I weigh the "what ifs." Simply put, I overanalyze. I want to work on having the courage to make a decision with certainty. Once I make the decision, I need to let go of the other possibilities and head down the path I have chosen with assurance. Sometimes, it's little choices like where to go eat or what to wear. Other times, the selections carry much more weight. I am currently trying to come to a final decision about my interim job - whether to make it permanent or not. We are also trying to make some decisions about school for our two youngest daughters. There is definitely a need to consider and compare all the options, but, at some point, you just have to take the bull by the horns, pick a path, and put one foot in front of the other without looking back. That takes confidence and trusting yourself.

What I have come to appreciate about this word of the year concept is that change takes time. It's not like making a resolution or setting a goal where, in the end, you either succeed or fail. This way, you are simply choosing a concept, a single word, and trying to improve in that aspect of your life. If I work on my confidence for the next twelve months will I get to the point of having the tenacity to say that you should vote for me for President? Probably not. Will I be closer to that level of confidence than I am today? Without a doubt, yes. 

So, that's my word - confidence. Did you choose a word of the year?

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This post is part of the Finish The Sentence Friday Linkup. This week's sentence was "You should vote for me for President because . . . . " and this week's hosts are Kristi, Michelle, and Anna

23 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

Lisa, I love that you chose confidence and will say that as confident as I can be at times, I still can be indecisive having trouble making up my mind. It drives Kevin crazy especially when I sometimes can't even pick a restaurant to go out to dinner. So, yes I can totally relate to indecisiveness here too.

Allie said...

I can't come with one word. I love the concept and enjoy reading these posts - but still, I got nothing. I want to use everyone else's' words - which probably isn't very confident, I guess.

Val Newman said...

Confidence is a good word to focus on. I've stopped making lose weight my "resolution" and have thought about "don't be so hard on myself" and "don't worry about things I can't control". You can keep the Presidency for the politicians, I'd rather learn to love myself.

Kristi - Finding Ninee said...

I've been wondering whether to do a "one word" post but I don't know what it would be. I love that your word is Confidence and think it's a really good one. I sometimes have a hard time making decisions as well. I'm afraid that I'll make the wrong one. Once though, my dad told me that waiting too long to make a decision makes one for us and that's the only way we're truly powerless which made me really think... and I try (not always succeeding of course) to just make one and go with it now.

MamaRabia said...

This is a great word, Lisa. I can see the hope in it for you through your writing. I hope that this is the year that finds your totally comfortable with yourself and who you are!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

It can be hard to commit but sometimes you just have to go for it!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

This is the first year that a particular word really made sense to me. :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Absolutely! I wouldn't want to be the President even if I had the confidence that I could!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I've never really thought about it that way, but I think that is great advice!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Rabia! Baby steps, but I'll get there.

Tamara Bowman said...

I usually don't choose a word and this was my first year because it spoke to me.
I'm glad confidence is speaking to you and I wish you a year of it! I've been told that choosing a word of the year really does ground you and hold you accountable to it.
Here's hoping for all of us!

Anna Fitfunner said...

Confidence suits you. I recognize that you feel that you lack confidence, but your writing really does exude confidence. Confidence is a tricky beastie...if you act confidently then people treat you as being confident. And if your social mirror lets you see yourself as confident, then you begin to act confidently. So for 2015, I wish that everyone sees you as being as confident as I see you. ;)

Jill Robbins said...

Confidence is your word, Lisa. YESSSSSSSSSSS! You've got this. I really look up to you and you've been a great supporter and mentor to me. Plus...you're on my virtual PTA team where I'll be wearing go-go boots and drinking a lot so you're gonna need to bring your A-game! Confidence. Hold you head up high and do the bend and snap.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I like your word, too, Tamara. I can already tell a difference just by being intentional and thoughtful about my word. David and I went to lunch together yesterday and made a couple BIG decisions. It's like a weight has been lifted even thought the decisions require us to make some changes.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks you, Anna! It helps to know that others see me a s confident person. Hopefully, I will grow to see myself as one, too.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Ha! That whirl certainly require some confidence, huh? :-) Thanks, Jill. It really does mean a lot to me to hear others say they look up to me and view me as a mentor.

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom said...

I haven't chosen a word of the year... I have to many "words" that I think I could apply that I can't really hone in on one. The thought of doing so torments me.


I love reading about others' word of the year. Yes, Confidence is a great one. I think I shared this with you before, but I struggle with my body image as well... I think many women do. Confidence is something that can definitely help in that department.


Thanks for sharing your inspirational word.
xoxo

Dana said...

Every word of the year I've read so far in 2015 has been wonderful, and yours is no exception. I usually feel pretty confident, but there are certainly areas of my life where I could use a boost.

I know you've written about this topic before. But I think you have a quiet confidence. You know what is important to you, you know what you believe, and you trust in those things. That was my impression of you based on your writing, and it was the same impression I got when I spent the weekend with you in person. I think that is confidence, even if it's not the kind you're aiming for this year.

Robin Kramer Writes said...

Our church is also doing the word of the year. As I've prayed, I've felt that my word for 2015 is freedom. (You have to say it like William Wallace in Braveheart, of course. FREEDOM!) I'm posting about this soon, too! :)
Be confident, girl!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I think resort is a great word!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Jennifer! I agree that many women struggle with body image. I am determined to work on that this year!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Dana! that really means a lot to me. I suppose I do have a bit of quiet confidence and I certainly have more confidence in some areas of my life than others. It's funny how others can perceive me as confident, yet I think of myself as lacking confidence. Maybe it is about re-evaluating my self image and having the confidence to see myself the way others do.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Freedom is a great one!

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