One Little Word® 2021 | Heart

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:  20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017 and 2018

Download the word art here to share your word for 2021. 

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140 thoughts

  1. Stacy16 says…
    12/29/2020

    Going into 2021 I am hearing that my word is harbour. I think this year is about being safe, calm, and taking a break from the rough waters of the open sea. It's a perfect follow up to my word Restore for 2020. I am waiting in anticipation to see what this year brings.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Kegger says…
    12/29/2020

    I think my word for this year is Release - It randomly came to me last night when I couldn't sleep, and had been thinking Balance/Trust/Hope were on offer. Hm!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. evalyn says…
    12/29/2020

    Shift

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. mrsgengy says…
    12/29/2020

    ACCEPTANCE

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. dawnmi says…
    12/29/2020

    My word for next year is steadfast.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. lherrick says…
    12/29/2020

    Listen

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. sophie3832 says…
    12/29/2020

    2020 word was Joy which after the year we’ve all had, I’m surprised by how much this word helped me through. I adore this project and this is my 5th year. Ive had a few words in my head these past few weeks but I’ve decided 2021 word is Grow.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. LatteLaurie says…
    12/29/2020

    LIGHT

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. tinka323 says…
    12/29/2020

    I gave it a lot of thought but just never found a word for 2020. For 2021, however, Prosper (with a side of Abundance) has jumped out in front. Given everything I’ve lost, and more that I may still yet lose, due to the pandemic, prosperity is my number one goal and focus for this coming year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Lee_Currie says…
    12/29/2020

    BRAVE is my word for this year.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. karenika says…
      12/29/2020

      i had the word brave a few years ago and it was my very favorite word in the last 14 years. may it be just as powerful for you.

  11. ancler says…
    12/29/2020

    My word this year is TIME... to make time for me, for my baby girl, for my husband, for learning and most importantly for enjoying life... the good and the bad an all in between

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. sammie1212 says…
    12/29/2020

    Hope

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. ElanaAW says…
    12/29/2020

    Sparkle ✨

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. karenika says…
    12/29/2020

    my word for this year was "wild" as in go into the wild more. I was planning to take a vacation to Alaska and climb Mt. Whitney. One of my January prompts actually said "less isolation" oh the irony. Alas I was able to do a lot of rock climbing in the wild so I will take what I can get. I'll have to find a way to fulfill those dreams another year.

    For 2021, I was going to choose light and sat with it for a few weeks but while it felt good, it didn't have the excitement most words have for me as I walk into the new year. And then one day my word found me and all was right again. I am going with YES for next year. I love the idea of yes, of leaning into life as opposed to worrying about it, running away from it, or feeling victimized by it. I love the boldness of yes and the quiet acceptance of it. I love being able to say yes to my life. to all of it. To surprises, to unknowns, to whatever may come. It's going to come anyway, I might as well embrace it and lean into it. Yes feels like fully stepping into my life.

    So here's welcoming 2021 as my year of yes.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. ngaire_b says…
    12/29/2020

    Ali - I chose heart for my 2021 word back in July. It came to me after I had a minor heart attack and I realised that I do not look after my physical heart nor my emotional heart as much as I should and that often I neglect it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. iccarrion says…
    12/29/2020

    My word for 2021 is BECOME with companion words grow, worthy and consistent. “Be consistent” is something I’ve been telling myself for months now and to me the key in “becoming” will lie on being consistent.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. donna_is_sunshine says…
    12/29/2020

    My OLW for 2021 is JOY. In 2021, I will look for the Simple Joys in my life right now no matter what is happening in the external world or with the pandemic.

    I see Joy as originating from within and then getting beamed outward into the world as opposed to looking “out there” for something to bring me joy. Joy is a choice you make. It starts from within, is completely under my control, and is not cancelled.

    Quotes: “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” “Joy does not simply happen to us, we have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday.”

    2021 // Joy
    2020 // Bloom
    2019 // Vitality
    2018 // Shine
    2017 // Complete
    2016 // Treasure
    2015 // Rejuvenate
    2014 // Radiant
    2013 // Light
    2012 // Create
    2011 // Sparkle

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kookers3 says…
    12/29/2020

    This is the first time doing this for me. I saw your postings about doing this and thought of a word instantly and it wouldn’t leave my mind. So I decided to join. And my word is......JESUS. I want Him on my mind, in my day, on my heart....all of me. I know I need MORE of Him and it will be fun to document Him thru the year!!!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. CynthiaByTheSea says…
      12/31/2020

      YASSSSS!!! LOVE this!!

    2. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/01/2021

      Beautiful! My words for 2020 were serene and pray - I have found with picking a word through the years that I always get more out of it when also considering the spiritual side.

  19. cydh says…
    12/29/2020

    FRESH
    Fresh Start
    Fresh Outlook
    Fresh Eyes
    Fresh Food
    Fresh Air
    I'm busy packing my house for a cross country move and I ran across some business cards/marketing materials from Elise Blaha Cripe and one card started, "I believe in Fresh Starts...". It just stuck. As I've sat with it for a few days, it really fits my upcoming year which will be full of changes - all - year - long. Even more than this crazy year. Looking forward to seeing what FRESH brings my way!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. breeoxd says…
    12/29/2020

    Nourish has called out to me. This is the first time I've chosen a word in years, and it just called out to me. I want to go into this year with a mind and heart ready to nourish my aspirations, relationships, mind and body.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/01/2021

      I had this word and loved it!

  21. Karikarate says…
    12/29/2020

    Dig

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. desleyjane says…
    12/30/2020

    I think my word is going to be Magic. It has stuck with me for a few months, since I started getting excited about December Daily in September. I think it’s going to be a great work. Thanks Ali, for doing this for us 💕

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. jmwgtnuke says…
    12/30/2020

    This year I am going with Light
    I chose this for the dual meaning of being lighter (less) and bringing light (joy)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Wenlam says…
    12/30/2020

    This is my first time using OLW. I love the idea of this. My word is ROOTS. I feel like 2020 taught me how to stay still and in doing so I felt rooted or grounded (in a positive way) to the earth and to those around me. I even felt rooted to strangers, entwined to them as we all dealt with the state of the world together. In 2021 I plan to allow the roots to grow stronger. My companion word will be GROUNDED.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. alvarezmonik says…
    12/30/2020

    SHOW UP... I have a lot of goals for this year... I would like to live this 2021 to the fullest... but it all starts by showing up, being there, starting. So they won’t be just goals.

    Reply 0 Replies

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