One Little Word® 2021 | Heart
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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
Less
For 2021 I'm going to focus on the word heart.
To be honest I'm not sure exactly why heart is my word this year. Some years I have very specific intentions that I want to focus on and other years it's more loose. Going into 2021 I'm honestly not sure what I want to focus on (doing the January prompt in the classroom always helps me solidify my intentions) but what I know for sure is that I want to go into it with an open heart. "Open" was my word in 2013 and it is one of the ones that was most meaningful to me and I love it as a companion word to heart this year. Another of my most favorite words was "whole" - that one can also play a part in my journey with heart as in "whole-hearted."
I made a new Pinterest board and saved a few quotes that also relate to things I'd like to think about and consider in 2021. I definitely also love that I can continue to walk a little more with my 2020 word "less" too.
You're invited to join me in choosing word and working to make it visible in your own life in 2021.
JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR WORDS VISIBLE IN THE ONE LITTLE WORD® WORKSHOP
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 through monthly prompts that invite you to document pieces of your journey with your word. It's not complicated and it doesn't take a lot of time but it's the documentation and community piece that helps many people (including me) stay connected with our words thorough the year. Each month you receive an email reminder to head back to the classroom for some sort of creative prompt/writing reflection.
For the 10th Anniversary celebration year I've made some changes to the workshop that you can read about here.
You can read all the details about this workshop and sign up here. You can also watch a video walkthrough of my past album projects here to get an idea of past prompts.Registration is $5 off until December 31, 2020.
I've also created a selection of products to help you document and support your journey with your word. Check those out here.
SHARE YOUR WORD IN THE COMMENTS
I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering or have decided on for 2021. 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, 2017 and 2018.
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140 comments
I have never done OLW although I have always wanted to. As a senior on a fixed income I have to choose which projects I do carefully and truthfully no word has ever come to me until this year...just today the word BE popped into my brain and I can't get rid of it so I may be playing along silently with all of you. Thanks ALI for everything you do for this community of fellow crafters.
Replies to sherry_eckblad
My word in 2020 was Pause (could I have picked a more perfect word?) and each month I created a simple 8x8 scrapbook page showing how I/we had paused that month. As great as Ali's classes are, you can have your word front and centre of your life without taking her class.
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My word will be Grace
Replies to JeanetteE
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Trust. I have a lot of changes coming in the next year and I need to trust God that everything is going to work out.
Replies to FamilyScrapper
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My word for 2021 is REST, with the companion word PLAY.
Replies to riikka
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my word this year is 'embrace'. this is the first year EVER (and I've been doing this for 11 ish years) that a word chose me. and to be honest, that is a little more than a little bit scary. but, that being said, I am tentatively looking forward to seeing where this word takes me. and if nothing else, when everything in my world feels out of my control, I get to choose to 'embrace' the journey. so much love for this project and especially to you, Ali, for your commitment to sharing it with all of us. thanks.
Replies to Nicolekarenschuster
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My word is BREATHE. It's amazing how much I'm already using it every day. This will be a fun journey!
Replies to mrsmartha
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Breathe. 💛 Need to focus on mindful breathing to calm down, take a minute, and regroup.
Replies to ahiggins83
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My 2020 word has been LIGHT, and it’s been one of my all-time favorites. For 2021 my word will be QUIET. I like words that are several parts of speech: noun, verb, adjective. Companion words from my past words are Listen, Grace and of course, Light. I hope to learn to quiet my head and listen more to my heart, to others’ voices and to nature.
Replies to jambajuice57
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My word for 2021 is SHINE. My word for 2020 was PRACTICE and I learned so much this past year about how to practice, how to do the work, how to change. One of the books I read related to PRACTICE was Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. Fogg uses the word Shine to describe “the positive feeling we get from experiencing success”. It's a celebration. So that is what I want to cultivate in 2021: positivity, feeling good, celebration, success. Also, I really am craving some brightness and lightness after this past year. I want to SHINE!
Replies to BernadetteM
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My OLW for 2021 is JOY. Simple, heartfelt, and a reminder to search out the joy in every day, no matter what the next year brings. One of my favorite quotes is: "Every day might not be good, but there is something good in every day." <3
Replies to shadylane_14
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Ahh this class seems so fun but can't justify the 45 for it! This year has been really funny and hard. Can't wait to see sneaks of what you and your team share on social media. My word this year is kind. I need to be kind to myself, my children, and my hubby. The world needs people to be kind right now. If I can dedicate myself to it and lead by example then I alone can help in my space here on earth. Happy Last Monday of the year!
Replies to Jossie
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I am moving from 2020's [Heal] into {Perspective} for 2021. I learned so much from my journey with my word. This year has been tough, challenging, and exhausting - but incredibly rewarding.
I chose perspective because of world events, the therapy work I've done this year, and my choice was cemented by the following quote:
"When you shift your perspective, suddenly the life you're living changes".
Replies to SoniaH
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My Word for 2021 is Stretch.
Replies to tltorrez
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Embrace
Replies to Annakath
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My word this year is ‘joy’. I feel like I lost my joy somewhere along the way and I am compelled to make finding and choosing joy an intentional act this year. As part of that process I am also committing to a 365 project, to photograph one thing each day that brings me joy. So now I’ve said it out loud, the beginning of accountability ...
Replies to perspectivesinfocus
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Thank you for the freebie! You have such a generous heart.
I've been contemplating OPEN this year, maybe with a side of BRAVE. I want to be open to whatever comes next while keeping my heart and my hands open. It feels just right for me right now.
Love this project. So thankful for it in my life in 2020. Looking forward to 2021!
Replies to nicoleseitler
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I had already chosen a word for 2021 when I discovered OLW and I am sticking with it. BELIEVE. I know I have the ability to be a good friend, teacher, partner, and business owner, but some days I doubt all of these things and I need to be reminded to believe in myself. I've signed up for the workshop and I'm looking forward to this journey.
Replies to Ldygdva727
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GROW. It was just there in my head when I began to think of what word I should choose and I think going with it is the only thing to do.
Replies to Mel_12
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Play (companion word: learn)
Replies to swimfin
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My word is CHANGE. I chose it because a lot of things changed in 2020 but I was busy keeping it together with all the things that Covid could bring. I became an empty nester last January 1st. (I did do the Empty Nest class that is offered and it was very therapeutic.) I lost my father in law. Jobs changed. I hope to delve into my feelings about all this during 2021.
Replies to PoochPatrol
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