As far as 2020 theme words go, I could have done worse than picking “embrace”. I did a lot of embracing last year – I was able to spend more time with my kids than at literally any other time in their lives. I finally embraced my role at work because I couldn’t imagine taking on more. I started a workout program that embraces mothers for their strength. I definitely embraced more simple meal planning and eating.
My 2021 word is deliberate, the adjective form of which means “done consciously and intentionally.” As I’ve adjusted to life with 2 kids during a pandemic, I’ve begun to refine what’s most important in all facets of my life. But these changes aren’t going to just happen on their own. I won’t just happen to read more books, or cook new recipes, or have date nights, or not have to work weekends. This year, I plan to be more deliberately vocal about my wants and needs, more deliberate in setting up specific times to work, and making deliberate moves toward improving my home, life, relationships and the like.
My 2013 word was “intentional”, which is definitely a close relative of deliberate. But that year’s goal was focused on making productive use of every moment of my day. [Side note: I had no idea how much free time I actually had during that period of my life.] Deliberate is more about planning intentional moves toward the things I want, instead of just hoping I’ll be lucky and everything will magically work out the way I dream.
