word of the year
Showing posts with label word of the year. Show all posts
a vision kept in sight
Following on from my last post, I'm back to share my new word of the year and a very special project I created. It seems so late to say this but Happy New Year to you all, I am sending my very best wishes to you all for a marvellous, healthy and joy filled 2022!
In previous years I have created a vision board, usually on new years eve, often incorporating my word of the year. I had lots of fun collaging with decorative paper, magazine clippings and pictures to create my board. This year I stepped that idea up to create a fabric vision board - with the same collage feel - incorporating fabrics, paper, notions and thread.
The project was designed for a follow along tutorial for the CraftyMonkies VIP member club. I offer lots of advice, suggestions and ways to personalise your own vision board. If you've ever wanted to create a vision board and you have a passion for crafting & fabric, I think you'll really enjoy the exclusive & downloadable video content. There is also a recording of a Q&A session I did last week with some VIP club members; where I shared my passion for the word of the year and vision boards, gave more ideas and inspiration for choosing your word and was so thrilled to see a couple of the incredible finished vision boards they had created. You will have to be very quick if you want to access my month's content, as there is new content released in February!
It is the PERFECT project for stash busting and incorporating all those little treasures and do-dahs from around your sewing room. Here is a photo of some of the goodies I picked from my stash to create this project...
A vision board is such a great way to set your intentions and keep them in sight; to remind you of your goals, dreams and vision throughout the year and have your word help maintain your focus. The Aurifil Artisan theme for this month is 'New Year Inspiration' and this project is the epitome, my creativity was alight putting it together and it is inspiring me each day!
I have it hanging where I can see it everyday, each element was created with intention and it has a meaning, tied to my goals and intentions for 2022.
My word for the year is Elevate. I want to improve myself, continue learning, elevate my surroundings and venture to new places. My goal is to elevate my friendships, strengthening them and making time to just be with my friends. I want to get outside, be healthy and strong. All of this (and more) is visually represented on my board. It might not speak the same language to someone else looking at it, but I know it it's meaning and it is for me.
I'm going to show you the elements in more detail and hopefully they will help fire your creativity and imagination...
a bookmark with purpose
Having already made my mum a similar bookmark, I decided to make one for myself. Given the current situation and the fact we are staying at home, it has made me focus on small things but also the bigger picture. I'm grateful for so much right now and have found it helpful to think about what I would like to achieve in this time. Not to 'hustle' or have unrealistic expectations of a million things I could do or learn or create. Rather what is important, can I prioritise the things I put off but really want to do. I'm still working full time but with kids evening activities on hold right now and no where to go at the weekends, I do have a more time.
I set my word of the year 'clear' as a reminder to focus on what matters to me. The word is written in my planner, on my vision board and a bookmark seemed another good way to keep my intentions clear!
The lettering is from the book Cross Stitch Designs by Ondori and I used Aurifloss to stitch on linen.
word of the year 2020
As is now my custom, at the start of the year I chose one little word. I do this rather than make resolutions because quite honestly my resolutions would probably be the same every year! Instead, picking a word allows me to encapsulate my intentions for the year ahead. Focusing on a word gives me drive to achieve my goals and I can reflect on it daily.
Should you be interested, you can read about my previous picks and feel free to adopt any of the following words for your 'one little word' if they speak to you:
2019 ~ Fortitude
2018 ~ Centre
2017 ~ Shift
2016 ~ Enthusiasm
2015 ~ More
2014 ~ Better
This year my word was going to be 'no'. Quite honestly I need to focus on things that things that help me grow, that benefit me somehow; stretch my capacity or expand my purpose. Too often I say yes to everything, whether it's out of duty or even just because it's 'new and shiny' and I want to join in the fun. That's alright but (I am stopping myself right here, as this is part of the problem. I am getting off track with my ambitions, and convincing myself that other projects aren't distractions is false). Working on other projects, agreeing to things that take time and energy, can be at the expense of time working on my own ideas and that time is important if I am going to make my designs a reality and accomplish my dream.
There's also that standard voice inside, the one that creeps up saying 'you can't do it'!
intent...
New year is always filled with hope and promise, it's a time to reflect and set your goals and intentions for the coming year. I like to start by choosing one little word for the year - you can read more about this here.
My word for 2016 was enthusiasm and I do think I have approached things enthusiastically this past year; I have said 'yes' when I might have been scared, danced around, been excited about my sewing projects and been creative every day. Previously I have chosen more and better as my word for the year.
This year I would like to make changes - not all huge but the kind of changes I can incorporate into daily life. To focus on my goals and to do the things I need to do in order to be happy, healthy and filled up with creativity.
There were a few words I could have chosen but when I thought of this one it felt so perfect!
I interpret this in a few ways but mostly it's about changes. Shifting how I think - to keep my focus, so I can stay on track with my goals (I tend to wander a lot!) and see the opportunities to grow.
There are times I have to say no to projects and admit that I can't do everything (even when I want to). Being realistic with my time and priorities is important. Having said that I need to be sure that I am not doubting myself or turning things down because I feel like I'm not good enough/deserving/important. I want to chose to do what excites me and be bold. At these times I need to look inward, to really trust myself and have confidence. When I am mindful, living in the moment and concentrating on now (rather than worrying about the future), good things happen. Everything is clearer and less stressful.
'Shift' will remind me to get rid of all the external noise and anchor me. I want to be clear about what I want to achieve and the steps I need to take for that to happen.
I also want to use the word to encourage me to actually move. On New Year's Eve I made a vision board and one of the quotes I stuck on it was 'strong is the new pretty'. This year I plan on getting strong by exercising, I know how much better I feel when my body is healthy. I have to shift my arse literally.
Change has always scared me but 'shift' seems more manageable and optimistic in my mind. I have been telling myself to "get a shift on" so I can finish projects and stop procraftinating ;)
Shift is a constructive push, like 'just do it'. The shift key arrow points upwards and that's how it makes me feel, I can go onwards and upwards.
I'm feeling really positive about the year ahead and 'shift' is going to help me be clear, focused and moving!
Have you chosen a word for 2017?
Shift is a constructive push, like 'just do it'. The shift key arrow points upwards and that's how it makes me feel, I can go onwards and upwards.
I'm feeling really positive about the year ahead and 'shift' is going to help me be clear, focused and moving!
Have you chosen a word for 2017?
one little word
I like having a focus, one word to inspire and keep me motivated for 2016.
My word for 2014 was 'better', I worked on my sewing skills and learned new techniques. 2015 was 'more', becoming more me and creating more happiness - I feel like I achieved that in most things and I will continue to maintain that happy mindfulness.
There is part of me that is very traditional (quite boring actually) - I like order, routine and being at home. I'm okay with that about myself, I function better when I have a schedule and to do lists! I am very domestic (my husband just said I am like a house cat, in a nice way) but it can cause me to get anxious about going out sometimes. It helps to see friends, get coffee, watch a film, have a date night. I would like to do more of that. There is a need for me to abandon restraints I place on myself and just have fun.
Katie Daisy
Maybe it's also small joys like stickers, dancing and using odd combinations of colours in my sewing - that is my way of cutting loose. It sounds so silly but it's the little things in life! I have so many responsibilities that just having five minutes of doing something fun and frivolous feels really good. Last night I couldn't sleep so I redesigned my blog header and thoroughly enjoyed it.
On New Year's Eve I created a vision board, laying out pictures and words on a huge piece of paper so everyday I can see my goals and work towards them. I want to aim high, taking steps to actually achieve my bigger dreams and not just dreaming about them.
I am happy being me; focused on positive things, being grateful and mindful. Though I would like to be a little bit more unexpected, perhaps even capricious, to inject more passion and energy into my life.
Every day, in everything I do, I want to do it with enthusiasm, so that is my word for 2016.
Wishing you all a joyful year!
onwards...
I had a lot of heart break towards the end of last year and it has certainly been hard to deal with. I have had to question so much and now I'm looking forward to a year full of growth and understanding.
My word for 2014 was 'better', I don't know how much of that I achieved but regardless I will continue to strive, to learn and to work hard.
I thought a lot about what I want to focus on this year but I struggled to come up with one word to encapsulate it all... until I realised it's all about more.
Not more actual stuff obviously but more of what's important and more 'me'.
Throughout my quilting journey I have struggled with my style but more recently I feel comfortable with trusting my taste and just creating what I love. I would like more of that.
Along with more creativity I also need to concentrate on spending my time doing things I love, with love and that will provide happiness to me and my family.
I tend to be selfish, I guess we all do occasionally, but my happiest times recently have been when I've just let go and stopped worrying about what needs to be done and really enjoyed the time I have with my children. When we've been being silly, or reading together or colouring or whatever and I'm truly in the moment it really does make all the chores I have to do that much easier. Having time with them and fully allowing myself to be present allows us all to be happier and more connected.
I would like to spend this year loving more. Myself, my family, my friends. Taking time to connect and enjoy these relationships; when they are nurtured my spirits are lifted.
I'm hoping if I can create more happiness in my life it will come through in my sewing and I can be productive. I don't want to push myself this year though. I would like a year of enjoying more, loving more, and doing things with clear intentions.
Happy 2015 everyone!
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