On the cusp of a new year, it’s always a time of reflection and goal-setting. Of finding your one word for the year and making time capsules. And since my husband is in school, our new year of routines and schedules didn’t start until this past Monday, seven days into 2013.
I’ve never joined the word for a year club. I’m reflective and introspective but a word never came to me and I never went looking for it.
This year, however, is different. It was a crazy shopping day, running a few errands in the city on New Year’s Eve. I know. Crazy.
On the way home, red Starbucks cups in hand, snow looking all pretty on the trees, all of us a little weary from all the consumerism we’d just brushed shoulders with and I had an epiphany.
I had a word. And while it may seem a little cliche and a little obvious given the subtitle of this blog, let me explain.
The word: Intentional.
The reason, oh so many of them. Suffice to say, without getting to personal or sharing other people’s stories, the last six months of 2012 felt like a blur. There were some very lucid moments but a lot of fog and a lot of one foot in front of the other.
I want this year to be different.
I’m never going to have another year like this with my husband in school, and two little girls not yet school age. The innocence, the moments, the crazy that is called toddlerhood, the sweetness, the hard parts, the hang-on-honey-we-can-do-this parts.
I want to be intentional about time with my husband. Time with my littles. I want to do all those great ideas I’ve got pinned. I want to go and have coffee with my neighbor and call my sister and write my Nana. I want to be intentional in my friendships, to make time for the calls, letters, messages, and visits. I want to be intentional about our health and wellness as a family. Moving across the country and getting set up in a new place takes its toll and now that we’re all established, I’m excited about re-building some good habits.
I want to tell you about my word because somehow putting it out on the internet helps keep me accountable. And you can tell me about your word or goals or resolutions or how you don’t have any of them and we can keep each other accountable. Okay?
So, spill, do you have a word for 2013 or do you have a litany of words or do you have none?
Oh darling, this is so perfect.
I’m SO glad you’re writing again and in a new, fresh place. How marvelous!! I don’t have a word yet. I think it will come, but I don’t feel that my New Year starts until Bear heads back to work in a couple of weeks. THEN I’m looking forward to some hours alone to reflect, ponder, and focus. But I adore your word and will embrace it as one of mine until the fog clears for me. 
Love you! XO (PS – I just finished putting together my little package for you and hope to get it sent this afternoon. 
)
I’m glad to be back too, and a fresh space is so good! Don’t you love how our beginnings can take some time, enjoy the rest of your holidays, luv. Soak up all the time with Bear, I’ll look forward to hearing your word. XXOO
Seriously, there are days when I think you read my mind.
You can ask a few different people, that is totally our word for this year too… Here’s to sharing an intentional year! 
Wow, Rachelle, that’s very cool! I’d love to hear some of the process of how you guys chose that word and what it looks like for you. =)
Just checked out your new space on my laptop (instead of my phone). I love the balloons! Such a lovely bit of happy. Glad you’re writing again
I love the balloons too, they make me happy. I’m so glad you’re here. =)