I am joining Honoré again this month to share an update on my word.
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen Hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is. — Mary Anne Radmacher
I think I have finally gotten to the part of my word where I have finally “given in” and accepted that this word and this year were just the most challenging companions. Ever.
I had thought that my 37th year was the most challenging year ever (even without a word). I thought I’d never beat a year of Christmas Pleurisy, three wee children getting tonsillectomies (at.the.same.time), the same three children getting chicken pox (again at.the.same.time), and a Thanksgiving Eve Emergency Hysterectomy, just because. But looking back… I think that year was much easier.
November showed me how to “live as if this is all there is” though… I will give it that. And in doing that, I learned about things I don’t need to “live as if this is all there is.” Lots of things. Material things and abstract things. Things I should have physically and emotionally Kon-Mari’d long ago (especially the emotional things!)
Physical Kon-Mari is much easier than Emotional Kon-Mari, trust me. Those emotional things? Well, I did not hang on to them in case they might start “sparking joy”!! I hung on to them because being the martyr gives one a non-starter…that powerful you can never beat this chip!
However, nine long months of Pandemic Life means that eventually, you have used all the cards, every last chip and you have to open a new deck. November was open the new deck month for me. I started the arduous process of letting go of things that I have been carrying far too long, especially in Pandemic Life! So I stand here today finally realizing, after months of avoidance, lots of things I don’t need! And in doing so, I began to see exactly what I do need and that perhaps, is what Intentional Living is all about.
I also spent some time contemplating my “Word Journey” and a couple of words keep showing up and they bring some very curious possibilities. (Maybe not ones I am ready for… oh boy, lol)
So where do I go from here to close out my year? Well, my goal is that at the end of this month I will be able to share that I managed to do all of Mary Ann Radmacher’s quote (maybe not all at the same time, lol) And I think December is JUST the month to attempt that!
How about you? Did you and your word have a good month? Are you thinking about a word for next year? I want to know!
You can see all of my Intentional Journey here.
Good post Kat! This sure has been a difficult year for so many, but also it has taught us so many things. I’m laughing over your “ready or not” comment on words. I’m curious about what word you will pick (or what word will find you) for 2021.
This post feels what wording is ALL ABOUT. At least to me! What a month for you–so much that MATTERS. (I really don’t like all caps. But I can’t italicize or bold here!) (And I couldn’t get over your 37th year. Are you kidding me? No, I know you’re not.) I love how Intentional landed for you, raw and bare and emotionally Kon Mari’d. It’s been a hell of a way to learn it, but we have, certainly, learned this year…
I only paid attention to my word (focus) haphazardly this year, but that was a lesson in itself. I told myself that I was too busy surviving and worrying during the pandemic to pay attention until I learned that focusing and re-focusing are lifelong processes. Your journey with intention sounds like you have learned well, and giving in maybe a big part of it. (It wasn’t my word this year, but I’ve learned that control is mainly an illusion.) And your 37th year – I don’t think I can (or want to) beat that!
I think this pandemic-year just . . . ENHANCED all of our words so much more than it might have otherwise. This year really did bring about changes most of us didn’t want. At all. And it forced us to do things/to look at things we wouldn’t have otherwise. But look at us! Coming out the other side . . . better than we were. Here’s to a strong finish, Kat, and a good December. (Which SURELY must beat that 37th year. Because wtf???) XO
So I don’t have a word so I can’t comment on that but I want to let you know how much I enjoy the wording in your posts. Your phrasing is often unique but perfectly gets your point across. When you put periods between words for emphasis, your meaning becomes crystal clear and I read those words with the pauses they deserve. Well done!
One good thing that I think has come out of this pandemic is that we’ve all had a major shift in perspective and have come to place a very different value on things we once thought were important — and with that shift comes a realization that it’s absolutely fine to stop carrying things that feel like a burden. It sounds to me like you’ve arrived at a very similar conclusion, and I hope that that’s freeing for you.
I love that quote, especially the part you highlighted. What a wonderful way to live your life – as if this is all there is. It reminds me of the John Lennon song “Imagine”. Wow! When I read of your year of tribulations, I couldn’t imagine how you made it through. I would have been driven around the bend. No, we somehow muddle our way along, even though the sky is falling. I decided to begin my word for 2021 early. I have known it for months, and I am ready to kiss 2020 and my word for this year (humility) goodbye!
Whoa – that 37th year sounds like a doozy. I love the quote at the beginning of your post and I also love the idea of Kon-Mari-ing emotional things. Very wise. We have all learned more about ourselves this year – it’s a heck of a school of hard knocks but we are coming to the end. Here’s to a very intentional December.
Your 37th year sounds like it was a monster. Wow! I’m glad to hear that you feel like you’re turning a corner. Let’s just get to 2021, a vaccine, and a new president!
I can’t wait to read about the word you choose for next year. I’ve really enjoyed following along this year!
Certainly the things we’ve been through this year have been challenging and I’m pretty sure most of us are changed forever. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though, and I think our words have helped us to find ways to adjust to the changes and challenges.
This pandemic is showing me how I need to expand my life once we go back to ‘normal’. I want to LIVE big!!
2020 has shone a spotlight on so many things – ugly, bad, and good. I love how our words have helped us navigate this crazy year … and I can only hope 2021 brings fewer challenges and a lot more light. (and I can’t wait to see you with your two new grandbabies! in person!)