The Sunday Best: Fearless
01.02.22
For the past five New Years, I’ve popped bottles, rang bells and made ambitious plans only to see them dashed on the rocks. Each time, I hoped the turn of the calendar could change things for me. But that isn’t how it works.
A few weeks ago, I made the decision to approach 2022 differently. No resolutions would be made. No list of goals written. No planners, workout attire, or self-help tomes would be purchased. After several disappointing years, I opted to take a step back and greet 2022 with a mix of hope and low expectations. And letting go of the fanfare and folly feels incredibly liberating.
Instead, I returned to a practice that served me well in 2019, choosing a word to guide my intentions through the year. And this year, that word is fearless.
For the past few years, I’ve felt the oddest sensation that I’ve lost myself — my drive, my edge, my verve — and I realize it’s because, at some point, I became afraid. Afraid of change. Afraid of loss. Afraid of failure. Afraid of the unknown. And that fear has paralyzed me. So this year, want to be less afraid, or at least act in spite of my fears.
Laura at XO-LP and I got to talking about words of the year, and she made me this printed card to remind me of my guiding word throughout the seasons. My intention is to display it using a place card holder I found on Etsy. This way, I can be reminded of how I want to move through this year with more intention and less fear.
If you’d like to choose a word of the year, this article from Inc.com explains the process and why it works. And Laura is selling the Word of the Year cards on her website so we can all take a moment to reflect on what will guide us in 2022.
This year, I think we’re all looking for a little more. But the genesis of those desires has changed dramatically for many of us. So I asked my Instagram followers what they’d like more of in the New Year; here are a few of the responses.
+ More adventures, more trips and times that I’ll remember. - E.S.
+ To drink more water, and read more books. - H.P.
+ More me time, fewer hours spent working for others. - L.C.
+ Honesty in expressing my emotions. - L.F.
+ Precedented times. - A.A.
+ Freedom from F*ckery. - FWW (I’m sure there’s an interesting backstory here.)
+ Sleep. I’ve been sleep deprived since my teens. - O.M.A.
+ More clarity. - A.W.
+ Sex. And time away from my phone. - E.G.
+ And a sentiment shared by so many commenters: More hard laughs.
+ 9 Small Morning Habits That Can Make Your Day Better.
+ The best documentaries of 2021 and how to watch them.
+ Amazon will custom make t-shirts to your exact specifications.
+ File under save for next week: How to conquer the Sunday Scaries.
+ I found a seed supplier, and it’s hard not to order a garden worth.
+ I’ve been using Vitamin-C serum to fight the signs of aging on my hands.
+ Would you pay $1,000 for a “princess-core” mirror?
+ The reasons you should consider the good enough job.
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