My Word for 2022

It seems that every year, more and more people are doing away with their traditional New Year resolutions and focusing more on maybe just a word of the year.

I’ve set my fair share of resolutions in the past and I completely agree with the notion that they can be overwhelming and easily discarded after a few weeks of pressure.

So, I’ve decided to try a word of the year for 2022. Trying to decide which word I would focus on this year was much harder than previously considered.

Exactly what was I hoping to accomplish this year? The list seemed endless. My goals ranged from big to small, vital to trivial. I had business aspirations and personal standards I wanted to meet. I want to grow my business this year but I also want to find more time for myself.

I could go on and on, and basically it turns out…I just want to have it all. Let’s be real. That’s what we all want right?

Back to the drawing board,

Rather than focusing on all that I want, I started to think about why I haven’t met my previous goals. Of course there are a bajillion reasons that are completely out of my control as to why I don’t “have it all”. I don’t think it’s a standard we are actually allowed as women to have yet. However, I’m realistic and I do think some of this is very much in my control.

As a creative, and often times a perfectionist, I think one of my biggest struggles is staying focused. I am one of those typical people in this industry with 20 tabs constantly open. I’m sending work emails while simultaneously looking for a Ghost Spider sweater for my kid. While I’m at Disneyland with my family, I’m planning out my weekly meal plan. While picking up my daughter from school and asking her about her day, I’m also trying to get a post or an instastory up. Honestly, it’s no wonder I’m missing the mark so many times.

The pressure to “have it all” is so strong, that we are all self sabotaging our actual ability to “be happy with what we have”.

This year, my word is going to be “focus”. Focus on what I am doing and just focus on that. If I’m picking up Evelyn from school, focus on having that moment with her. If I’m at work and writing or designing, focus on that design work. Will things fall through the cracks? It’s possible, more like probable. However, I do wonder if what doesn’t fall through those cracks, perhaps, will reach new heights I’ve previously not met. Maybe my mind won’t be as exhausted. Maybe I’ll feel more accomplished at the end of the day.