For me, the anticipation of January 1st arrives the minute Christmas ends. Despite freezing cold temperatures and frost glittering the ground under a thick coat of fog, January brings with it the tantalizing hope of spring, and a fresh new start. I’ve never been one to make (or keep) tons of New Year’s Resolutions, but I do believe January is a good month to self-reflect on the past year, and likewise, to re-evaluate what is important to you.
This year I’m keeping things simple, and instead of creating a list of resolutions, I am choosing one word to focus on in 2013. One word to come back to, one word to remember, one word to motivate and inspire me.
My word for 2013 is intentionality: the state of having a purpose.
“Intentional living” is becoming a bit of a cliché phrase, but when I considered other words for this upcoming year, nothing spoke to me quite as much. When I think back on 2012—the good and the bad, the pretty and ugly, the things I did well and the things I should have done better—I was struck with the realization that mindlessness has become a real problem for me. So much of what I do on a daily basis lacks meaning and purpose (perusing Facebook, watching the Real Housewives, obsessing over a recent stain on the carpet, reading books I think I should read even though I don’t like them). I’m spending far too much time doing things that are thoughtless or distracting, instead of things that are deliberate and purposeful.
It’s hard not to blame my new role as a stay-at-home mom for this issue. My days are often long, and almost all the same: feed Everett, play with Everett, change Everett, repeat. It’s easy to get caught up in the steps, distract myself with TV in the afternoon, and do it all over again tomorrow. It’s easy to spend an entire day without putting very much thought into anything at all.
Mindlessness is a tough habit to break, but I’m determined to do it. I want my days—good and bad—to be filled to the brim with intention. I want to put purpose back into my time, my relationships, my words, and my actions. As 2012 comes to an end and we enter 2013 with hope and clarity, you are, of course, more than welcome to join me.
In 2013….
Let’s be intentional with our time. We need to make space in our schedules so that we can feel motivated and not overwhelmed. That might mean saying “no” to obligations that are filling up our calendars, but not filling up our hearts. Let’s turn off the TV and spend more time in our gardens; less time in front of the computer and more time face-to-face. Less time with the world, and more time with God.
Let’s be intentional with our relationships. We don’t need to wait to be invited somewhere; we can do the inviting. Let’s remember birthdays and find room in our budgets to buy plane tickets to visit our best friends, whether they live across the state or across the country. Let’s invest in the good friends and stop losing sleep over the bad ones.
Let’s be intentional with our words. Let’s say what we mean, and mean what we say. Let’s be real and vulnerable and honest. Let’s ask for advice when we need it, and stop shelling it out when it is unsolicited. Let’s speak truth into each others’ lives and leave the gossip at the front door. Let’s say I love you and please and thank you and I appreciate you more often, without hesitation.
Let’s be intentional with our actions. Let’s love one another better. Let’s be kinder to strangers and kinder to ourselves. Let’s run and walk and skip and be good to our bodies. Let’s play with our babies more and worry about the laundry less. Let’s do things for the sake of doing them, and not for the sake of people seeing us do them.
and as I always say…
It’s a new day. A new year. Let’s not let it go to waste, but do good with it.
Great word choice for 2013! I need much more intentionality in my life, too. It’s so easy to just skate through, doing what I’ve always done, carrying out the mundane minutiae of daily life without much purpose or thought. Now, I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to set any specific goals or resolutions for the new year – I tend to fail miserably when I do and then feel bad about it. A general progression towards more mindful and intentional living is what I want to establish, though. My sister bought me “The Joy of Less” for Christmas so I’ll be starting the year off by reading that book and working on paring down my “stuff.” I think that’s a good, solid goal for at least the first quarter of 2013!
Jacki´s last [type] ..Shabby Apple
That is the BEST book to read at the beginning of a new year! I have a major purge fest in store for this week….don’t tell Brett
Love this, Ashlee. A lot of really good wisdom in here
Christine´s last [type] ..Looking back on 2012
Love this, Ashlee. In our busy lives it is also okay to be intentional in taking a break. You have busy days with Everett. What if you set aside a little time for yourself to zone out or distract or do whatever you want for just a little bit of time during the day. You work 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Breaks are important and required by law!
Ha! Oh I get plenty of breaks….Everett is still taking three naps a day! THANK GOODNESS.
what a great word choice and hope that you can accomplish it all in the coming year.
Julie@my5monkeys´s last [type] ..Uses for Boys
Thank you for that. I have also been challenged with the intentions of my heart for the past couple months. What a great focus for the year ahead .
Absolutely one of my favorite words. Love this.
Great post, Ashlee! I love your thoughts on intentionality. Mindlessness is often a problem for me, too (darn you, Hulu!!!), and I definitely hope to use my time more wisely with the new year.
Faith´s last [type] ..Christmas Morning, v.1
Hulu and Netflix and Pinterest will be the death of me
I like what you say about not losing sleep over the bad friends. it’s hard to do and a little sad knowing that not everyone values the friendship, but ultimately it’s about making space for the good things in your life to bloom.
Ruth´s last [type] ..merry christmas.
That one is far easier said than done!
I love this, Ashlee. And I needed to hear this too! I get so mad at myself at the end of the day when I don’t get anything done and it’s because I’m not using my time wisely. Get focus for the New Year~
Jessica {Float On}´s last [type] ..Good Advice
AMEN, Ashlee! Amen.
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i really needed this reminder this morning. thanks for your encouraging words, you really are gifted.
Thanks for reading, Kayla!
This is really beautiful, Ashlee and a wonderful reminder. It really hit a place in my hard. The word I chose for 2013 was brave. I made a post for it on my blog if you would like to see
Katie´s last [type] ..my word & thoughts for 2013