So as promised I’m back to reveal what I’ve chosen as my word of the year 2018…

What one little word will be replacing any resolutions and instead be the guiding light to focus all my goals and good intentions for the year ahead? 

On first glance perhaps not a very easy word to unpack! Not as dazzling as last year’s choice of ‘delight’ and not as immediately obvious as others I’d originally considered - ‘Growth’, ‘Confidence’, ‘Balance’.

But dig a little deeper and you’ll find the dictionary definition delivers a little more enlightenment as to why I chose this word to be the driving force behind my decisions in 2018.

Acknowledgement:

• acceptance of the truth or existence of something

• recognition of the importance or quality of something

• the expression of gratitude or appreciation for something

• the action of showing that one has noticed someone or something

Associated words:

• acceptance, admission, appreciation, allowing, address, awareness, approval of, acquiescence in, agreement with, concurrence with, concession, confession, consideration, cognizance, commendation, credit, cooperation with, granting, gratitude, hailing, hello, heed, knowledge, notice, praise, recognition, realisation, regard, respect, salutation, thanks, welcome.

I love how the word I’ve chosen actually encompasses the process I went through to choose it… What did I love about last year? What sucked? What could be better this year? What do I want to do more of? What do I want to do less of? How do I want to feel in 2018?

These questions helped me gain an understanding and acceptance of what has gone before; a recognition and appreciation for all the things that are good that I want to continue; and a knowledge and realisation that changes can be made to make life even better.

But how am I actually going to put my new word into practice? What practical applications/real world situations can my word be used for?

I have lots of ideas! I know I definitely want to continue practicing  gratitude and finding joy in small things. But I also want to think a little bigger. Think about ways I can make a difference to other people, not just myself.  And this comes from the awareness that compared to many people, I live a life of privilege.

So as my first action of 2018 I’m starting a list. 18 ways to give something back before 2019. 

It's a small start (and it's still a work in progress!) but I want to acknowledge that I have the power to make things happen!

Laura x

Do let me know if you've got any suggestions of things I can add to my list!