Word of the Year | But I Smile Anyway...

2021 – Word Of The Year

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?

2020 – Word Of The Year

Well, look at us! We’ve reached the next year, the next DECADE, in fact! I sincerely hope you had a good one, celebrating the end of one era, and the beginning of this next one.

So, what have you got planned? Any resolutions? I find it very hard to make resolutions. I have done so, in the past, and they just stay that. Resolutions, but not achieved.

Last year, I decided to adopt this trend that has been around a while, and focus on a word for the year. Something that will spur a person on to focus on goals.

It intrigued me, so I thought ‘why not?’

Last year, my word was Self. I wanted to really think about my time, and make sure that I looked after me, as well as everyone else in my life, and concentrate on work/life balance. And I didn’t do too badly, I’ll have you know! I took time out when I needed it, got my nails done, regularly, read lots (147 books, Goodreads knows!) and made sure I had a bubble bath weekly, if not more.

All these things really did help me. I achieved more than I thought I could, found myself able to cope with life a lot calmer, and I got to soak in a tub full of bubble, every week! Bliss!

So, what of this year?

I thought long and hard, and the word that kept coming to mind was this…

Believe.

So that will be my focus this year.

I want to believe in myself. Have that confidence that I can achieve my goals, and make my dreams come true.

The book is out in 6 weeks. I am nervous as anything, but I need that belief that all will go well; that I am not a bad writer, and that it will be well received.

I need to believe that I can write most of, if not all of, book two, as well. I don’t have another twenty years to tinker about! And, I am hoping that there will be readers of my first book, who would like to read more from me… I have to believe that!

I want to focus on my own beliefs a little more too.

I hope to visit the gurdwara more regularly, and pay my respects to God. After all, he’s helped me get this far. It’s a shame, because the most beautiful temple is a stone’s throw away from our home, yet we drive past daily, instead of popping in. I must change that.

I need to believe that I can change my lifestyle successfully, to be more healthy, from eating and sensible weight loss, to getting some proper exercise in place.

And, I’m still holding onto Self too. That weekly bubble bath will not stop! Might curb the reading a little, if I want to get more of book two written!

So, my dear Peeps, do you have a word for the year? What are your goals, plans, hopes or dreams for 2020?