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.

November 30, 2021

One Little Word® | Choosing A Word From A Place Of Love

December 14, 2011

One Little Word 2012 | Class Registration Now Open

December 19, 2024

One Little Word® 2025 | Collection Release + Workshop Registration

Comments

281 comments

Inkfanatic

Dec 28, 2017 9:21pm

I've been thinking of 'choose', but 'practice' is also now speaking to me.

DeniseNoe

Dec 28, 2017 9:25pm

My OLW this year is GRIT. I want to stick with a long term plan and see it through. I tossed around resiliency but the subtle difference in “grit” is what I decided on. Space is a great word and I look forward to seeing it unfold. Thanks so much.

tinawo

Dec 28, 2017 9:32pm

Love your word Ali. Mine for 2018 ‘new’. 💙

clwil

Dec 28, 2017 9:58pm

My word is Brave, companion words ‘yes’ and ‘courage’

sevenswirls

Dec 28, 2017 10:05pm

My word for 2018 is Stretch. Looking forward to stretching my body, stretching the limits of my comfort zone, stretching my brain a little by learning something new. Looking forward to the new year!

jani_d

Dec 28, 2017 10:24pm

Another year participating in OLW and so excited. 2017 was Wellthy and still working with that one!! My 2018 word is CELEBRATE, with it being my final year in my forties and turning fifty (crikey/eek!!!) at the end of 2018, been working on setting up our business this year so hoping to celebrate our success and celebrate the things in life!! Thanks Ali look forward to your support as ever this year!!!

JKnepper

Dec 28, 2017 10:41pm

My word is self-care. If I don't take care of myself, no one else can and I won't be able to take care of others.

Nickyscraps

Dec 28, 2017 10:45pm

My word is HEALTH as this is the word that I most neglect in my life.. a word that I struggle with and that at times completely ignore.. a word that can change who I am.. how I feel.. how I live.. a word that I allow to hold so much power of me that I want to take control back and embrace all that it has to offer... I want HEALTH to be my main focus and to remain visible throughout the year..I want to invite Health into my life with the goal of maintaining a sense of self... mind, body and soul..

tammywyn

Dec 28, 2017 10:56pm

I can't believe this is my 9th year - so impactful on my life journey. My word for 2018 is light.

lherrick

Dec 28, 2017 11:14pm

Purpose ....I lost a little bit of me this year and I need to find my purpose again.

KerryF

Dec 28, 2017 11:20pm

choose

bmarten

Dec 28, 2017 11:20pm

Heart!

nhudson

Dec 28, 2017 11:28pm

Choose is my word.

ScrappinMyHeartOut

Dec 28, 2017 11:35pm

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!

snhackett328

Dec 29, 2017 12:54am

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.

MrsQ

Dec 29, 2017 1:02am

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! :)

Airbs

Dec 29, 2017 1:12am

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

Melanie_Routhier

Dec 29, 2017 2:03am

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

Bunnypower

Dec 29, 2017 3:27am

My word for 2018 is WHOLE.

sortedscrapper

Dec 29, 2017 4:07am

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.

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