One Little Word® 2020 | Less

Since 2006 I've been choosing a single word to focus on over the course the 12 months from January through December. I call it One Little Word®. It's a personal growth project that uses memory keeping as the vehicle to help us live with intention.

My past words have included: 

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

For 2020 I'm going to focus on the word less

Less is a word that has "almost" been my word for the last few years. I come back to it again and again in a variety of areas in my life so I'm excited to work with it this year and make it my focus. Less extra stuff. Less of what matters least + more of what matters most. 

You're invited to join me in choosing word and working to make it visible in your own life in 2020. 

SHARE YOUR WORD IN THE COMMENTS

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2020. 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:  20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017 and 2018

JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR WORDS VISIBLE

Since 2011 I've been offering a One Little Word® online workshop that's goal is to help you stay connected to your word throughout the year. It's not complicated and it doesn't take a lot of time. Each month you receive an email reminder to head back to the classroom for some sort of creative prompt/writing reflection. As with most years, the majority of the prompts will be similar to last year as I find that I enjoy the process of doing the same prompts with different words each year - it's never the same. I record all new videos each year that include my personal reflections on the process with my new word.  

You can read all the details about this workshop and sign up here. You can watch a video walkthrough of my past album projects here to get an idea of past prompts. Registration is $5 off until December 31, 2018. 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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193 thoughts

  1. shannonmketchum says…
    12/31/2019

    My word for 2020 is Refine. (improve (something) by making small changes) - Rather than choosing big goals for myself in 2020 that may be unattainable, I'm going to refine myself in small ways that will inevitably have a big impact in the end. My word for 2019 was Presence and it changed my life! I'm so glad I finally signed up for this class Ali. I'm only sorry I didn't do it sooner.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. julcamell says…
    12/31/2019

    My One Little Word this year is RELEASE. I need to release preconceived ideas of who I am, release past pain, release expectations, release fear, release judgement, release self condemnation, release failures, release out to the universe more joy, love, tolerance, and patience.♥

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. kylemiller3 says…
    12/31/2019

    My word for 2020 is RHYTHM. I want to take a deeper look at the cycles, routines, processes, and seasons of my life. The word Rhythm seemed to sum that up best.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. KCuzzolino says…
    12/31/2019

    Serenity.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/31/2019

      We almost have the same word - I'm going with serene!

  5. LatteLaurie says…
    12/31/2019

    ~ COURAGE ~
    Just a feeling, intuition, that I’m going to have to have some of this in 2020. Toyed with BRAVE and it is my companion word.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Shift2thrive says…
      01/09/2020

      Mine is Courageous...love the song "Courageous" by Casting Crowns! We were made to be COURAGEOUS!!!

  6. mtercha says…
    12/31/2019

    My word is Grow. I worked with it last year. I took a break from the work shop, and even though I did things last year with my word, I want to have it again this year with the work shop. I am ready for growth.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. shannon5jones says…
    12/31/2019

    My word for 2020 is Wander. Want to give myself the freedom to wander in and out and around some things that I usually put on the back burner.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. lherrick says…
    12/31/2019

    Deliberate

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. DebbieT says…
    12/31/2019

    I think my word this year is "Schedule". It seems like a strange one, and I'm not sure it is perfect, but it is the closest I've been able to come to the 'idea' that I need. I'm great at making lists and goals, and great at working through them eventually, but not good at focusing on the important ones each day and working my time so that I can do both the urgent and the important ones. I know there is a way to do both, and I believe making and keeping to a schedule of sorts is the next step.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. hesse_birgit says…
    12/31/2019

    Love your word. It has been my “almost” OLW every year, too.
    This year I thought my word would be "REFLECT", I wanted to look back at our life and see what has been working & what has not, what was fun, what was hard, what brought me joy, what made me proud AND then decide what really matters & move forward. Kids almost out of the house, retirement on the horizon, so what's next? But then I did not want to spend all year reflecting/dwelling on the past & what’s behind us, so I changed my mind and tada my word for 2020 is OPEN - still want to reflect but then be open to anything that comes our way in 2020. Looking forward to it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Donna_McMorrow says…
    12/31/2019

    Less is such a great word! My OLW+ is the phrase Small Things. I want to base it on the quote from Mother Teresa, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love."
    I have been participating in OLW for a while now. Some years I do more prompts than others, but my OLW always makes itself known throughout the year. Thank you for all that you do, Ali. I am looking forward to 2020.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. anrobe says…
    12/31/2019

    Reset is my word for 2020! I'm excited to get started!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Laurie_Anne says…
    12/31/2019

    Good word—I considered it, as I have tons of decluttering to do. But more pressing is my need to learn how to remain Calm. Yes, I need to have less, weigh less, procrastinate less—but staying calm feels more important. So what I hope is that I will pursue all the things I need less of, create some new habits, but do it all with a Calm demeanour. I have suffered from anxiety all my life, and last year, as I made some Shifts (2019 word), I attempted to Calm myself more and I really liked it! And since I want to move away from my traumatic past, I think Calm is key. Meditation and yoga and regular exercise, no coffee, healthy foods, I may be able to accomplish creating a good, solid foundation for the new year and decade! I feel excited! Bring on OLW 2020!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/08/2020

      I really like how you've thought this out and it sounds like a great plan!

  14. kwallet says…
    12/31/2019

    My One Little Word for 2020 is Believe

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Binxcat1 says…
    12/31/2019

    I just love the way 2020 twenty twenty rolls
    off the tongue and the first time I heard it spoken
    out loud I immediately thought of 20:20 vision.

    So CLARITY became a natural extension
    of that concept... And it’s just kind of stuck.
    The more I think about it the better it feels.

    I’ve spent a lot of the past decade confused and frustrated and not seeing or thinking very clearly.

    So yeah... It’s working for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. CynthiaByTheSea says…
    12/31/2019

    Less was my word in 2013. Not gonna lie...it was hard. :-)

    My word for 2020 is NOW. As in NOW is the time. For changes, for newness, for making decisions, for action.

    My verse for the year is: "See, I am doing a new thing! NOW it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. mecastro says…
    12/31/2019

    My word for 2020 is Enjoy. My life has been rough since the death of my son to suicide in 2016. My word for that year was Delight, and it seemed like a slap in the face after my family's loss. The following year, I chose Honor as my word and focused on finding ways to honor John. In 2018, I chose Reflect...and it was a word I didn't want to let go of! This year, my word was Accept, and I can't wait to push it aside. I will be retiring in 2020, and my goal is to Enjoy each day and to see each day of my life as a sacrament.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Shauna says…
      01/01/2020

      I'm so sorry about your son. What a very difficult road you've been on. I truly hope you can ENJOY your life's journey even as your carefully carry your sorrow. xo

    2. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/08/2020

      I'm wishing you the very best going forward!

  18. Lrstampit says…
    12/31/2019

    One Little Word 2020 | Free

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. JuliaH says…
    01/01/2020

    My word for 2020 is GO.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Nita27 says…
    01/01/2020

    My OLW 2020 is a sign 😉: &

    This symbol represents the future, an expectation something is going to occur. It represents the ending of a challenging period, but I see it also as the beginning of a flourishing time and a road to a new path. A path we follow together...

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. KimberDill says…
    01/01/2020

    Equanimity

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Esk74 says…
    01/01/2020

    TRANSITION

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. carringtonl says…
    01/01/2020

    Love your word, Less! My word for 2020 is transformative. This one is a bit scary (what am I signing up for?) but is what I feel called to this year. I wanted something more action-oriented than the simpler transform, where I can be transformed but where I can also be the agent for change. Since 2020 is perfect vision (20/20)--may we all have perfect vision this year seeing our words in action. Sending love to each and every one of you doing this project!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. LeslieAJ says…
    01/01/2020

    My 2020 word is Joy. I've participated for several years- fresh, dazzle, action, wellness, thrive but always seem to fall short of actually accomplishing what I hope to. This year I hope to simply recognize and be grateful for people, moments, events, and find joy in living each day.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. scrap_horse says…
    01/01/2020

    My 2020 word is BREATHE. It came to me very naturally following a significant change in 2019, after which I felt like I could finally “breathe” emotionally in a way I couldn’t for many years. I knew it was going to be my next OLW. I can apply it in so many other useful ways also, I think it’s going to be a great word. Also, thanks to past story items being available in your shop for a time, I picked up the Breathe kit and stamp set to use with my OLW this year. So perfect!! Wishing everyone a blessed 2020!

    Reply 0 Replies

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