One Little Word® 2018 | Space

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:  2007200820092010201120122013201420152016 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 hereRegistration 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

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281 thoughts

  1. KerryF says…
    12/28/2017

    choose

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. bmarten says…
    12/28/2017

    Heart!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. nhudson says…
    12/28/2017

    Choose is my word.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
    12/28/2017

    My word for 2018 is CARE.

    I already know of several big challenges and changes I'm starting the year off with. My schedule is going to be grueling for 8/12 months, my work is somewhat overwhelming, and my vacation days are all accounted for (minus taking vacations or down time.) Whew.

    I was considering words like persevere, action, hustle etc - words that would fit the chaos that's coming. But those words weren't making me happy - instead they were accentuating my anxiety over what's ahead.

    I saw a quote about caring and it hit me all at once - CARE is the word I will need. First, the reason I'm going to have a crazy year is because I CARE so much for my family, that I'm willing to make whatever sacrifices are needed to help out. I will also need to be CARE-ful not to burn out, by caring for myself as best as possible. I also want to figure out which cares I can cast aside, things that may weigh me down that I can remove. I hope to get a better sense of what's is/isn't important for me to care about.

    Thanks for hearing me out. I'm excited about my new word!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. snhackett328 says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is "me."

    My youngest started college at Oregon State this past September. I'm an empty nester now, and I'm learning how to be "me" again--without the role of day-to-day mom. I'm excited to see where it takes, well, me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. MrsQ says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is also SPACE. I need to make space in my daily life for the things that I say are important to me but somehow never do (reading, scrapbooking, exercise, etc) I also need to literally make space in our space by de-cluttering. Hubby & I are preparing to buy a house so we may have a whole new space by the time this year ends. I also need to put a little space between me & pulling the trigger on certain things like purchasing items I don’t *really* need. I’m thrilled you chose the same word. With my own word as the lesson examples I might actually finish them all! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Airbs says…
    12/29/2017

    This is my first time doing One Little Word. I am excited. My word is health.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Melanie_Routhier says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is JOY. I haven't had companion words before but this year LIGHT and ACCEPT are also speaking to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Bunnypower says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is WHOLE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. sortedscrapper says…
    12/29/2017

    Love your choice. Creating space is something that I continue to work on. Looking forward to seeing where it takes you next year. My word for 2018 is RHYTHM. I had a word that I thought was what I needed and then just today this one came to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. scrappysue says…
    12/29/2017

    My OLW for 2018 is STORY ..... intentional memory keeping, what do I want my story to be with relation to home, health, family etc. Super excited to incorporate this into my life :)

    Love your word Ali!

    Happy 2018 everyone xxx

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. mellenamae says…
      12/30/2017

      My word this year is stories :) I decided to go plural because it felt right for me. I love your intentions!

  12. Monnah says…
    12/29/2017

    This is my tenth year with OLW! This year I lost both my parents to cancer after having tended to them since June 2016. There have been so many changes to my life in 2016 and 2017, so when I looked for a new word I knew I needed to focus on myself. NOW is what I decided to go with. ❤️

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. mdnolton2 says…
    12/29/2017

    My word this year is TRANSFORM

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. jennyb says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is SHALOM. Shalom means complete peace, contentment, wholeness, well being and harmony. I want to cultivate shalom in myself, my relationships, my community and the world in the small choices I make everyday.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. tquintana says…
    12/29/2017

    Joy or passion for 2018.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. bartandsandi says…
    12/29/2017

    HOPE

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Wiebs says…
    12/29/2017

    I just signed up for the OLW Workshop and cant wait to start working with my OLW 2018!
    My word for 2018 is: constancy

    This word is speaking to me right now in so many different ways. I already started a little brainstorming and came up with toughts like:
    - constancy = focus vs. monkey mind
    - constancy = finding the balance between laziness and overacting
    - constancy in terms of becoming really good and expierienced in one thing p.E. knitting or sewing instead of hopping from one thing to the next
    - constancy = establishing traditions & routines
    - constancy = staying, being at home, resting
    - constancy = cultivating friendships

    I could go on and on :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. 1812susan says…
    12/29/2017

    My word for 2018 is clarify. There are many aspects of my life I wish to clarify. As I grow and evolve how do I make wiser decisions? I have been in a period of absorbing information and now I wish to clarify my thoughts: Do I retire? Do I sell my home? How do I move further into my 60's with purpose and inventiveness? Can I find peace in the midst of change? To clarify is to become clearer. Clarity is a goal and clarifying the process. I look forward to both.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kaybree says…
    12/29/2017

    My word is LESS.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. cwohlt says…
    12/29/2017

    my one little word this year is HOME. I am curious about the word HOME and what it means to me. Both my physical home and the home inside myself.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. amorton63 says…
    12/29/2017

    Balance

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Audreydz says…
    12/29/2017

    My word is BREATHE. My focus is Yoga and meditation this year with an eye towards self care.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. ravenseva says…
    12/29/2017

    aafter a year of burn out related problems my word wil be BREATHE!
    I need to learn to take a pause, a moment to breath;-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. AmberCA says…
    12/29/2017

    Love the idea of space. I was also liking invest, joy, discover and ended up choosing embrace. So excited to get started!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Shauna says…
    12/29/2017

    My word is MOUNTAIN. Yes, I'm curious to see what it will mean to me and where it will take me, literally and figuratively. I know there will be effort and exertion involved...!

    Reply 0 Replies

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