Well, that was a year we all were kinda glad to see the back of, wasn’t it?
Bye 2020!
Still, it wasn’t all that bad, was it?
I’ve carried on my new tradition from the last few New Year’s Days, of choosing a word of the year.
2019 was Self, and I really embraced that, making sure I took time out for me, ensured self care was a key part of my life,
2020, I chose Believe. It was all about strengthening that belief in myself, that I could achieve my goals and dreams, and also, feed my belief, spiritually, too.
I admit I had wobbles, especially since the pandemic hit, but, when I look back, I realise I have actually done a lot more towards that word, than I thought!
I did believe in myself, and I published that book. I wrote a good 50K words on the second, which was no mean feat considering being in school during this crazy time.
Spiritually, the more frequent temple visits didn’t happen, due to Covid-19, but my beliefs have not wavered.
Unfortunately, that belief that I would get healthy didn’t quite work… I started walking lots in the summer, when the original lockdown happened, but since we’ve been back at school, and the weather has changed, that hasn’t happened, and a lot of food has been consumed… put it this way, I don’t need a cushion to get cosy on a chair, right now!
And now, here we are in 2021. What would suit my feelings? What will help me achieve a better Ritu?
After not too much thinking, a word stood out. One that I think is really important to have in all our lives, and it is this:
Yes, Hope.
Inside, I have that hope, that things will get better.
I hope that I have the time and energy to keep writing.
I hope to finish that first draft, and have my novella ready for a reader magnet. (Well, I need that, not hope to do it, so I can send it to newsletter subscribers!)
Another hope, is that I can cope with the responsibilities of this new job role, and that I make it to the end of the academic year, successfully, especially considering I am stepping back into it in a couple of days with another set of enforced home learning for a while… not sure how long for, either!
Oh, and I do hope I can work out a healthy, happy balance with exercise, and food!
And, I hope we finally find our forever home, and by this time next year, I’ll be typing my post in a totally different place!
Believe will stay with me, after all we are ever evolving, and improving ourselves, as will Self.
But Hope will be the big one!
So, my dear Peeps, do you have a word for the year? What are your goals, plans, hopes or dreams for 2020?
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 05, 2021 @ 16:44:59
Great Word for us all!
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Jan 05, 2021 @ 17:57:36
Thanks! 🙂🙏🏽
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Jan 04, 2021 @ 13:45:28
Great word, Ritu! We all need a little bit of hope to keep going!
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Jan 04, 2021 @ 17:24:28
We do, indeed, Elizabeth!
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Jan 03, 2021 @ 14:50:57
Hi Ritu, Happy New Year! I think I said on IG that my word of the year is Positivity. Today I am listening to the news and waiting to see if we return to school tomorrow as planned. I’m in Cheshire, so for now our primary school is planning to open as normal. Either way, my girls and I are prepared for home learning should the need arise… We got this! 🙂
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Jan 03, 2021 @ 14:55:25
We got thus, indeed!
We are closed here, being bin Kent. Where we are the numbers are over 1k in the 100k! 😳
But will still need to be in school to deliver home learning and be with vulnerable/key worker children…
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Jan 03, 2021 @ 12:36:42
You picked the perfect word, Ritu. From Believe in 2020 to Hope in 2021, you are a visionary and an inspiration.
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Jan 03, 2021 @ 13:34:58
Aw thank-you Jennie.
I’m not. Just positive 💜
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Jan 04, 2021 @ 00:05:42
💕🥰♥️
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 16:04:14
No new word for me this year, Ritu. I usually start with one, but by February have forgotten I had one. Instead, I will be setting myself some challenges that I hope to turn into opportunities, not just for me but also for others.
Happy New Year to you and the family.
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 19:07:44
I totally get that, Hugh! I hope many opportunities come your way 🥰
Happy New Year to you and yours 🤗
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 14:31:26
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 12:54:38
Happy new year !! A year of hope!
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 13:32:51
Happy New Year 🎊🥳
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 10:01:46
This is great dear Ritu. Thank you, Happy New Year, Love, nia
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 10:18:13
Happy New Year, Nia 🎊🥳💜
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 03:11:06
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💕💕💕💕💕
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 10:14:36
💜💜💜💜
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 01:46:03
Great one, Ritu! I’m sure “hope” will suit you well in 2021! My word of the year is “still”–as in still here, still writing, still blogging. AND, my need to be STILL and focused once in a while to achieve the big goal of finishing the first draft of my new novel manuscript. Soon, I hope!
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 01:58:04
You got this, Rebecca!!! 🎊🎊
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 02:00:59
Thanks, Ritu!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:05:59
Although 2020 was a trying year, it made us take a look at how we were living and really put to the front what was important about life from each individual perspective. Hope never disappoints, Sister. Have a hope filled New Year 🙏🏽💜
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 23:06:52
Here’s to hope, Brother 💜💜💜
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 00:12:16
Yes, Sister!! 💜💜💜
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 21:43:48
“Hope” is the word indeed – and a safer, healthier and much more cooperative 2021 is needed…we are all in this together, and by working together, “hope” will win! Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 21:50:33
Happy New Year, John!!
💜💜💜
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 20:57:41
A superb 4 letter word for this wonderful year, 2021
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 21:07:37
It will be wonderful, Sis 🥰🥰🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 19:31:04
Hope is a good one! I had Believe a couple of years ago. Last year was Drive. This year I have Flow. Happy New Year to you and yours!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 20:11:11
Love Flow!!/
Happy New Year, Janet 🥰🥳🎊
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:56:33
What a wonderful word! I used to believe that Hope was nothing more than sitting on a fence of whitewashed doubt. Wanting to jump down but not certain it was safe. I thought we either believe or we don’t, but I understand now that Hope IS believing. Believing in a result that isn’t in tangible; Yet!
I haven’t decided my word for the year. I’m torn between Rise and Soar.
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:57:52
Both great words!!!
I’ve always believed in Hope 💜🙏🏽
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 17:45:00
Great choice!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:29:29
Thanks, Rae!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 17:03:33
“Hope” seems to be a theme around the blogosphere, and I agree. Happy New Year. Hugs on the wing!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:30:11
Happy New Year, Teagan! ❤
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:07:10
Happy New Year, Sis! I hope you and yours had a great start into this New Year! I had never thought there would be so much silence, without fireworks. Michael
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:10:26
There were still many here, despite celebrating at homes. 🎊🥳🥴
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 17:16:28
Isnt it fantastic, no one tries to leave for disco. All are happy celebrating together. 😉
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 18:29:51
It was quiet, but just as special as other years Bro!
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 10:08:35
Thats true, Sis! Enjoy your weekend!
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Jan 02, 2021 @ 10:18:27
🎊🎊
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:30:17
Happy New Year, Ritu. Hope is a great word.
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:30:49
Happy New Year, John 🥰🥰🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:24:35
Hope seems to be the word for 2021 and I can relate to that…my word is community as I think we should building on that as this virus seems to have fostered community in many places…I hope you find your forever home Ritu…Happy New Year 🙂 x
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 14:29:28
Oh so true, Carol. I do HOPE we can keep this feeling is community 🥰
Thank you, and Happy New Year! 🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 12:59:41
Happy New Year, Ritu! I like your word for the year!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 13:05:25
Happy New Year Lisa! And, Thank you 🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 12:06:32
Lovely positive post to kick off the New Year!! Good luck with house hunting this year
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 12:11:29
Thanks, Danny!
I’m nothing if not positive 🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 12:00:34
what a great word! I hope for all of us that it will get better! Great word, Ritu! Xoxo
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 12:11:04
Thank you, Carol Anne! Happy New Year 🥂
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:44:52
Happy New Year Ritu. There is always hope, even at the darkest of times.
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 11:17:15
Indeed, Di. Happy New Year to you 🥳
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 11:19:06
😀
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:39:52
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:39:37
Hope is the perfect word for this New Year, Ritu…
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 11:16:52
We all need a little hope 🥰🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 19:14:46
Right now, I need a big chunk of it!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 19:17:24
As do we all!!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:14:03
Happy New Year
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:39:16
Happy New Year 🥳
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 09:38:11
Hope is a good word!! Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:38:59
Thank you Darlene! Happy New Year to you 🎊🥳🥰
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 08:57:44
HAPPY NEW YEAR, RITU 🤗❤️🤗
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:38:38
Happy New Year dear Chris 🥳🥰🤷🏽♀️
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 11:24:55
❤️
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 08:57:31
Happy New Year, sis🎉🎊🍀It was definitely not just a bad year. It had so many new wonderful moments. Yes, was tough, but it revealed so many new besutiful things I would not have seen otherwise, and what I took from it is priceless. Here is to a great 2021😊💖
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:38:25
Always good to find in whatever bad there is, Sis.
Here’s to a wonderful 2021🥰💜🙏🏽
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 15:42:00
Yes, sis! We are not willing to le anything erase our smiles, right? Cheers to a great year 🥂
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 16:05:07
Cheers, Sis 🥂🥂🥂
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 08:49:36
My word would be Truth, Ritu – what we desperately need to cut through the deliberate fog that clouds our future…
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:37:24
Oh, you’re so right there, Steve!
Happy Truth Year, to you, in that case! ✌🏼👌🏼
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 08:46:02
May your hopes and wishes come to fruition. All the very best for the year ahead! 🌷
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:36:32
Happy New 🎊
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:36:49
Happy New Year 🎊
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 06:17:54
Hope is what dreams are built on. Wishing you and your family lots of hope and joy in 2021.
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Jan 01, 2021 @ 10:35:48
Happy New Year, Pete!
Never lose hope 🥰🥰🥰
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