Sauntering into 2023 + my word of the year 👓🎆

Hi Reader, 

Happy new year to you!

(Yes, I’m still saying “happy new year” on the 17th of January and you can, too. 🤓)

Also, you’re not behind if you’re still working on 2023 planning, or if you haven’t started at all yet. Check out my first Creative Wellness Letter of 2022 for more affirmation for taking your own personal fresh start whenever you like! The Gregorian calendar is only one of many options, and calendars are arbitrary, right?

I’m usually a fan of the January fresh start/reset time for re-evaluation, but I’m also a fan of honoring that winter is often a time of less energy and a slower pace. Reading Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry is helping reinforce that, too - a highly recommended read!

As you might guess, my 2023 planning is going very slowly and gradually. I started with a piece of paper with the heading “2023 Possibilities”, which helps get my ideas all in one place for careful consideration, without feeling like I have to do it all immediately. (This is very much in line with my 2023 word - keep reading!)

It’s always tricky to walk the line between being gentle with your goal-setting, and having enough structure and discipline to follow through, but taking the time for consistent check-ins allows you to keep being intentional, and to shift course as needed.

🌟 (If you want to borrow my simple review prompts, download my free weekly and monthly check in worksheets right here.) 🌟

Along with those more specific goals, I love the ritual of choosing a word for the year, as a guiding intention and theme. I’ve been doing this for several years, and some words end up being more meaningful and impactful than others, but my 2022 word PLAY was a very fun one.

To hear more about how PLAY impacted me last year (including adopting my very energetic cat Tsuki), listen to or read the transcript of the latest episode of Being A Whole Person - it’s on winter break right now, but I popped in for a new year update.

After the last few years of feeling like I was treading water and doing a lot of spaghetti-throwing (not necessarily a bad thing, and suited to the uncertain times we’ve been in), I am now craving more concrete plans and a clearer vision for my future plans, so my word for 2023 is… 🥁🥁🥁

VISIONARY!

I am both excited and a little freaked out by this word, which is perfect. It feels like an invitation to become even more intentional, partially motivated by the fact that I’ll be soon be turning 40, and the reflection that comes with that: 

• What’s my contribution been to the world so far?
• What do I want it to be?
• What’s truly important to me? etc.

I’m spending some time checking in with my core values, both personal and business-related, to make sure everything still resonates, which feels great. 

I’m also committing to a daily weekday journaling practice, to have a dedicated time receiving messages from my inner knowing about what should come next.

The word VISIONARY looks like making plans and carrying them out, but also having the wisdom to know when I’m too tired to un-cloud my vision and to rest accordingly. It also includes collecting questions, whether the answers are clear or not - if you ask good questions, that really increases your chance of finding the answer that feels right to you.

For me, a good word of the year usually has this element of challenge and a bit of this element of discomfort, pushing the growth edge, and VISIONARY definitely fits the bill.

If you are looking to pick a word for 2023, it's not too late, you can pick a word whenever you want. You could pick a word of the month, week, or day instead. You get to do it however it works for you, regardless of calendars!

If you need a little help getting started, begin by brainstorming words in a really open-minded way first. Then, going back over the list, you’ll settle into whatever word feels right in your gut, because it'll feel a little bit magical. It'll probably be multifaceted in its meanings, too. You'll know when it's the right one! You’re also allowed to change your mind if it no longer feels like the right word.

I hope that your 2023 is off to a good start, whether you’re in new year planning mode or not, and I'm wishing you all the best with your creative plans this year! 💗

Did you pick a word of the year? What are you excited about for 2023? I would love to hear about it - hit reply and let me know!

Stay well, my friends - I'm always rooting for you. My inbox is always open, so please feel free to reach out if I can help in any way. 

I always love hearing from you!

Have a lovely week! ⁠

Rebecca

• My friend and wonderful human Non Wels just launched his Feely Human membership community (with free and paid options), and it looks awesome! 
• It will just take longer - a softer kind of new year - Wise thoughts from Nicole Antoinette, related to today's letter topic!
• How to Feel Less Depleted By the End of the Work Week - Great ideas for not deferring rest and pleasure "until you have time" (because that's a trap!) 

BAWP is currently on winter break, but I popped in with a new year update: 

• Ep. 71: My 2023 Word of the Year + Reflecting on 2022

I still love the practice of choosing a theme word for the year, to help guide new year intentions and goals. It can be a wonderful filter for what feels intuitively right to do and create, whether in place of or along with more structured planning and goal setting.

In this episode I share about my intentions for my 2022 word PLAY, how it turned out in practice, why I’m excited about my new word for 2023, and some tips for choosing your own word of the year.

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