Six years ago I discovered the free Find Your Word course by Susannah Conway. I love the process of journaling through what 2020 has been for me, and what I wish for in 2021.  This is different from setting new year’s resolutions. I choose to find a word that represents what I want, need, and hope 2021 will bring into my life, but sometimes the word chooses me.

In 2020, my word was GRACE. This word found me long before we knew what 2020 would bring to the world. I needed to leave space for grace for myself and for others as we lived through a global pandemic.

In 2019, my word was SHINE. My goal was to shine personally and professionally, and I did that through a new job, a published book, and a sunflower tattoo 26 years in the making!

In 2018, my word was POSSIBILITY with a supporting phrase of Adventures that Stretch. This idea helped me looked differently at what was possible if I shifted my viewpoint. I also enjoyed some incredible adventures that did help me stretch in new ways.

For 2017, my word was CHALLENGE, and it served me personally, professionally, and on a global scale. I love new challenges and appreciated the permission I gave myself to rise to some new challenges and to say, “I’m not going to take this on,” to other challenges.

In 2016, my word was REJUVENATE, with a more internal, physical focus that I needed.

The first time I chose a focus word was 2015, and my word was MINDFULNESS. This proved to be a fulfilling year of learning to be more present, learning to mediate, and to enjoy each individual moment.

My word of 2021 is… DARING.

This word feels like a challenge to my introverted self, but also like something I need after a year of grace and masks and isolation. I’m ready to be daring in some big and small ways in my life. I’m looking forward to a fun 2021!