December 28, 2017

One Little Word® 2018 | Space

One Little Word®

My One Little Word® for 2018 is space.

Since 2006 I've been choosing a word to focus on over the course the 12 months from January through December. My past words have included:

Play
Peace
Vitality
Nurture
Story
Light
Up
Open
Thrive
Give
Whole
Connect

For 2018 I'm looking to get curious about the idea of space.

The word "space" has quite a few different meanings, from an interval of time to a continuous area or expanse which is free, available or unoccupied to the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move (outer space) to the freedom and scope to live, think, and develop in a way that suits one.

What I'm interested in inviting into my life this year is some breathing room. I find myself regularly filling things up: time, physical space, projects, etc. I want to see what it feels like to have "room" for thinking and dreaming and learning and moving at a slower pace. I want to pay attention and begin to recognize those times when I'm unconsciously filling up the space and learn to pause before continuing on auto-pilot.

Simply put, what I want to do this year is create more "white space" in my life to pursue what really matters most to me.

Companion words - words that are also speaking to me - this year include: wonder, less, ease, and slow.

I'm really looking forward to experiencing life with this word in 2018.

TAKE A LISTEN

I recently recorded a podcast with Elise on Elise Gets Crafty where we chat about our 2017 and 2018 words. Take a listen here.

SHARE YOUR WORD IN THE COMMENTS

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2018. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and super inspiring to see all the words in one place.

If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word®, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR WORDS VISIBLE

To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one creative prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. You can watch a video walkthrough of my past album projects here. Registration is $5 off until December 31, 2017. I've also created a selection of products to help you document your journey with your word - check those out here.

My wonderful little heart talisman in the photo at the top of this post is from Liz Lamoreux and is available on her site as part of her Pocket Talisman Collection.

January 4, 2017

One Little Word® 2017 | The Reading Of The Words

January 17, 2013

One Little Word℠ 2013 | The Reading Of The Words

April 3, 2012

Hello April

Comments

281 comments

laceyweeks

Dec 28, 2017 12:30pm

Mine is SIMPLIFY. I like the idea of what you said of your companion words as mine has different sides of it as well. I considered "self care" but I think this year I need to work on simplifying things in order to give myself the self care I need. Looking forward to this as I have had many intentions over the past few years but didn't follow thru. Bring it 2018!

Judi2

Dec 28, 2017 12:32pm

I have picked FOCUS as my OLW for 2018

briel

Dec 28, 2017 12:33pm

deep

Meverhart

Dec 28, 2017 12:33pm

Love your reasoning behind your word. I have a terrible time picking any “favorite “, or “best” so one word is hard for me. But I’m pretty sure I’m going with “enough” - when am I good enough, done enough, have tried enough, given enough....just... enough.

Jenn2087

Dec 28, 2017 12:34pm

This is my third yer and each word I have had has seemed to lead to the next. I like the connectedness of them. This year's word will be Present.

deannawbennett

Dec 28, 2017 12:36pm

Walk (Walk in faith, walk in others' shoes, walk away, walk off the weight...) I want to strengthen my health walk, my walk with God, and my walk in the world.

AshleyR724

Dec 28, 2017 12:42pm

MY word is nourish with a focus on nourishing the mind, body and soul.

AlexaCurto

Dec 28, 2017 12:48pm

Venture - as a noun and verb :)

cilla073

Dec 28, 2017 12:48pm

I haven't made my definite decision yet but today SLOW stood out to me.

MaryJo

Dec 28, 2017 12:49pm

I chose Self Care.
Two words technically, but one concept :)

michellescraps

Dec 28, 2017 12:56pm

My word for 2018 is Create.

Looking to create space in my life and home - clear the mental and physical clutter, create healthy habits and good food, create memories with my family, and create pretty stuff.

Sera

Dec 28, 2017 1:02pm

Love your new word Ali! I've focused on this year in the past and it brought incredible results. This year my OLW is FEARLESS - because I want to fear less in life and live without so much worry! Co-words are strong, open, embrace, breathe. Happy 2018 to all!

Nicole2381

Dec 28, 2017 1:03pm

HEAL

Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually 💗

kas82974

Dec 28, 2017 1:10pm

My word for 2018 is light.

nlgeiger

Dec 28, 2017 1:30pm

My 2018 word is STILL, for many of the same reasons as Ali. I've never had a word that I didn't think of as action based, but I want to see what happens as I slow down, take time, listen and be thoughtful. I've been learning the value of meditation and I want to expand that and see what it lends to my life. I'm also thinking of taking some time to reflect on such things as "still ___" - like still learning. Each year, I love the routines of this week as I let go of one word and embrace another - it sets up the new year with such positivity.

Alisonbee70

Dec 28, 2017 1:32pm

My little word for 2018 is live. Looking forward to doing this for the first time.

terrydphotography

Dec 28, 2017 1:36pm

My word for 2018 is "OBSERVE" It just kept coming up. I already observe a lot especially with my photography so it will be interesting to SEE where this word takes me on this journey. Thank you Ali this is my 2nd year and I really loved this project last year with my word grow.

KendraW

Dec 28, 2017 1:37pm

Great word! I can't wait to see where it leads you.

My 2018 word is Embrace ~ It will be a new chapter for me as my youngest graduates and goes off to college. There will be a lot of changes for our family this year & I really trying to embrace this season of life.

DonnaM

Dec 28, 2017 1:39pm

For part of this year I was sure my word for 2018 would be space, for some of the same reasons! I’m going with POETIC though, as this word was a companion word this year and speaks to me more.

ninalouise1975

Dec 28, 2017 1:40pm

My word for 2018 is BETTER. There's lots of things I do every day which I would like to do BETTER - being a partner, being a freelancer, better with money, better eating, better at being active. I'm going to set myself a prompt each day to remind me to focus on one of seven ways to be BETTER - so by the end of the year I should have 365 things recorded.

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