The one word resolution has been around for a while but I never participated… until now. The word I’ve chosen will bring about a personal revolution. Come read about my one word resolution – maybe it will inspire you to choose a word as well.
We’re a few days into a new year and it seems like everyone is either talking about the resolutions they’ve made or the ones they’ve already broken.
While it feels great to crush my goals, I also want this year to bring about life and attitude transformation.
For a few years, I’ve observed bloggers around the world embracing a one-word resolution for the new year. I’m not sure where this idea originated, but it has always intrigued me.
Unfortunately, I’ve been scared to commit to a word. I’ve read about people who chose a word and had that word backfire on them. For instance, one blogger chose “peace” only to encounter a year of “chaos”.
However, I can’t let fear deter me. It’s through the challenges that we learn and grow the most. Plus, there’s no denying that I’ve felt convicted to choose a word for 2017. It didn’t take a lot of effort for the word to come to me.
I’ve been inadvertently moving in a specific direction for the past few months. My life’s pull has been to embrace simplicity.
SIMPLICITY.
I’ve been repeatedly leaning towards simplifying everything in my life.
For example, in the last few months of 2016, I diligently arranged my schedule so that I could start my day more peacefully. But this shift wasn’t because I needed peace but because I yearned for simplicity.
Another clue that I craved simplicity was that I began reading Simplicity Parenting.
Then, when I drafted my gift list back in October, I included a book that I had completely forgotten about until it was given to me at Christmas: 30 Days to a Simpler Life.
SIMPLICITY.
I’ve felt compelled to slow down.
I desire a clutter-free home.
Calmness has been beckoning me.
In my yearning to hear God more, I’ve felt the need to seek quiet.
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV)
My word is a revolutionary one.
My type-A, eager, hard-working nature leads me into busyness and complexity.
It’s hard for me to simplify because the margin that simplicity creates is uncomfortable.
I avoid empty spaces because I associate emptiness with loneliness and lack.
We live in a world that pushes us to fill.
Fill our homes, fill our hearts, and fill our minds.
But I wonder if I’ve filled my life with the wrong things.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
As Jonathan Cahn shared in The Book of Mysteries when a lid is put on a jar, its contents become limited and finite… but when you remove a lid from a jar, it’s an open vessel that has no limits. The vessel that could hold only what was finite, with one simple shift, can contain what is infinite.
By choosing to simplify, I’m removing the lid from my life. By simplifying, I free up my mind, body, home, and time for limitless possibilities.
My plan.
I’ve tried not to overthink this part because that brings complexity into my quest for simplicity. However, I need to learn simplicity, so I have a few things I want to attempt to simplify my life.
- Continue with daily Bible study and prayer
- Finish reading Simplicity Parenting
- Read and follow the steps in 30 Days to a Simpler Life
- Declutter my home
- Simplify the foods I eat (clean eating)
- Create a margin in my schedule
So there you have it… my one word for 2017 is simplicity.
Do you have a one-word resolution? If so, I would love for you to tell me all about it!
“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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Hello Jennifer, I took an extensive blogging and social media break and I loved it but I figured it was time to get back. I’m with you on that word. I would love a simpler life myself. I didn’t make any resolutions this year, but I did set some goals for myself. I’m hoping that my 2017 will be less hectic and be much better than 2016. Here’s to a great day/week ahead my friend.
I’m excited about my quest for simplicity. I think it will revolutionize my life. Ten days into the new year and I already feel a shift in my mindset.
Wishing you a Happy New Year my friend!
What a great word and I usually do embrace one word, as well for the year, but this year I just can’t seem to sum the year up in one, simple word for some reason myself. So, I am just calling it a draw, I suppose unless something jumps out at me soon. Still, love the way you are set up for this upcoming year and now wish you a Happy 2017!! xoxo ;)
I love “simplicity” as my word for the year! I’m so excited to see how it impacts my life. I’m already feeling the ripples of change.
Last year was the first time that I had chosen a word for the year – and yes, it did kind of backfire on me. So I was hesitant to chose one for this year but the word FOCUS has been really forefront of my mind so I have chosen that. It’s a very similar concept to simplify – all about focusing on the essential and not getting bogged down in other things. I look forward to seeing what you share about your simplified journey this year.
I already feel like “simplify” backfired a bit. I had a flood in my kitchen which ruined some things in our basement. It did help me clean and purge things I otherwise would have held onto though. Then my webhost went down and when my site came back up 5 hours later, my design was lost. So, I did the site redesign I was planning to do in June.
Focus sounds like a great word. I wish you well as you pursue more focus in 2017!
Jennifer, I would love to know how you are going to create margin in your schedule. It is the one area of my life I find so hard to create space in. Being a mom, a wife, a home schooler, running a blog and a business – it seems there is no room to create space. I read the book Margin last year, maybe I need to read it again. Any tips would be great. I’d love to see you do a blog post on it.
That book sounds great Margaret! I may have to add it to my reading list this year.
I definitely have to work and fine-tune my schedule; but I will definitely share some of my margin-making ideas when I can!
Haven’t ever picked a word of the year, though I’m working at simplifying some things as well. Two Bible verses that keep rehearsing themselves in my brain as I think about the year are Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life.” and Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” Sounds like you’re thinking and living in the spirit of both of those. :)
Oh those are lovely scriptures to meditate on Abi!
I’ve decided I’m going to keep a log of scriptures which speak to me about simplifying my life.
I’m excited to see what this year brings.
Simplicity is a wonderful word. I’ve spent the past week cleaning closets, cabinets, shelves, my pantry, our garage, and even sentimental items, like photo albums, and daily-use items, like my recipe books, and it felt fantastic to purge. Even just in the material sense, simplicity of ownership often makes life easier. I should mention, however, that I also really, really, really wanted to buy a new pair of cute boots that I saw on awesome clearance, however, so there’s always that tug for more, not less. ;)
For the past two years, I’ve chosen a word: “freedom” for 2015 and “wisdom” for 2016. I’m praying this year… don’t have a leading quite yet.
I love the word “simplicity” it’s already doing wonders for my mind and spirit!
Yay for the New Year cleaning marathon! lol
Love this. I am always seeking for more simplicity in life. It’s so true that our society is always pushing us to fill our lives with MORE, but that misses the point. More isn’t necessarily better, and an abundant life does not have to be full of STUFF. Thanks for the reminder.
I’m delighted that this resonated with you Meg. I’m excited to see what this year of simplicity brings.