2020 - What's the Word?

Over the break, a colleague forwarded me a newsletter with various resources from Jon Gordon, a famous author and motivational speaker. One of his big things for the past several years has been to encourage people to stay away from New Year's Resolutions (which, he claims, 80+% of people break by the end of January) and instead follow a three step process to choose one word.

Now, I'd heard about "One Word" before, most recently on the Abiding Together podcast, and I thought, how sweet but how can that possibly make a difference in someone's life? Though I was doubtful, I ended up buying Jon Gordon's book (which is a quick read - by the indication in the book it takes 49 minutes cover to cover) and also the kid version to see what it was all about.

I followed the process, which included time for silence and prayer, and one word came to me right away. I pushed it aside, as I didn't want to rush into it, even though it felt right, and tried many other words in my head and heart. Still, I kept coming back to my word - trust. I am working on trusting God with various aspects of my life (including my job, relationships, etc.), and I am working on trusting others, including my students, in so much as believing they are doing what they are supposed to be doing at any given time. And, of course, I must always work on trusting myself.

And so, that has become my 2020 word of the year/"one word."

And, do you know what? I had a crazy teaching schedule this week, where I only saw my 7th grade religion class (which is the only class I teach) two times. So, instead of jumping into new content, I created (and borrowed) some activities and models to guide my students through the process of choosing their own "One Word" for 2020. While Tuesday's class was rough (as it was their first day back after break), they (well, at least most of them) fully engaged in the process and took it seriously. Some of their words were confident/confidence, sacrifice, try, effort, adventure, joy, and positivity. I was amazed! This upcoming week I am giving them time to find and/or create visuals they can hang in their rooms or put as iPad backgrounds to remind them of their "One Word" over the course of the year. We'll see what they come up with.

Maybe you want to give "One Word" a try - go ahead; it's simple. Then, you just need to remind yourself of it on a regular basis. (Mine is my phone background.) I hope if you do try it that it works out in guiding you and pushing you to live it out this year.

Yes, 2020 is off and running. There always seems to be plenty to do and plenty of friends to catch up with. Since being back from visiting my family over the holidays, I've spent time with friends in Milwaukee (for NYE and New Years), the Art Institute (thank goodness for membership), local establishments for meals, and folk's condos/apartments just hanging out.

Haven't seen any shows in 2020 yet, but there will be a few rapid fire ones in the coming weeks, which makes me pretty excited. I don't think it's possible (nor should I feel the need) to see more shows in 2020 than 2019. That was one for the books. (I also read a lot of books last year, but that's another story...)

One last thing - as some of you may know, I spent 2019 with the resolve to buy no new clothes (aside from underwear and socks) the whole year...and I made it! I also gave away bags of stuff to St. Vincent de Paul (special shoutout to my sister for carting those away for me). Since the new year, though, I have broken down and bought a few new items; though, I think I am much more prudent now, really thinking if I truly want or need something (e.g. a new pair of jeans) before purchasing. I hope to not buy too many new items this year; otherwise, I don't think I really learned my lesson, did I?

I hope you have a wonderful start to the 2020 year!

4 Months Down of No New Clothes

As the calendar changed over from 2018 to 2019, I resolved to buy no new clothes in the new year. One of my previous co-workers had done just that a few years ago, and I thought, why not give it a try? A couple of friends thought I was crazy and that I probably would have a hard time with it. One friend thought I would just buy other things instead. Another friend thought about trying the challenge too.

While only 4 months in, here are a few things I have learned:

1. I have way too many clothes -->
While I have not added new clothes to my closet, I have put clothes in bags to be donated...and I still have way too much. I don't know how the clothes accumulate so much over time (aside from all of the race shirts)! In all honesty, I could probably try this no new clothes thing for two years and be okay.

2. It's easier to say no when you have a clear "rule" -->
Because I have set the hard line of absolutely no clothes buying, I'm tempted a lot less to even look in shop windows or at ads. I have unsubscribed from as many clothing store emails (e.g. Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, etc.) as I could. (I'm pretty sure the ads were tricking me into thinking I would save money if I bought more, while the truth really is you save money when you don't buy anything!) When I am waiting in line for the elevator at Trader Joe's and see the cute items in Loft, I can just turn away.
I found this to be true during Lent as well. Just for Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Saturday at sundown) I gave up all sweets. And while it was hard, I found it easier to forgo the treats than when I try to limit myself or reduce my intake at any other time. And it was so freeing! I knew I couldn't, so I didn't.

3. Changing up the routine can be good for the soul -->
It's definitely been eye-opening to live by this promise to myself. I have been dependent on material things without even realizing it. Yikes! But by making this resolution for 2019, I, in essence, hit the pause button and was able to start making small tweaks to live, in my humble opinion, a better life. I know that moving forward once 2019 comes to a close I will be more conscious of the clothing I buy and less impulsive of buying clothing even when it's on sale.


All in all, I am grateful for the graces I have already received through this resolution as well as the support of friends who keep checking in on me about it to see how it's going. Only 8 months to go - I totally got this!