My Word for 2017-CALM

Good riddance 2016! As we welcome the New Year, I hope you find inspiration in My Word for 2017-CLAM.

My Word for 2017-CALM

Last year, after finding inspiration in my fellow health and nutrition bloggers, I began the tradition of choosing a word to best represent my goals for the year. My word for 2016 was PRESENT because being present for my kids and husband is something that has challenged me since launching my own company. Ask any blogger and they will tell you that they are never far away from a screen, or two, or three. It takes painstaking effort to put the devices down and focus on what is truly important. I definitely made some strides in that area, though I’m sure I still have a long way to go. Declaring this goal has made me aware of my behavior and I will continue to focus on being more present in everything I undertake.

Now for 2017. I’m certain that I’m not alone in wishing 2016 good riddance. The endless Facebook memes of inappropriate gestures towards the year 2016 are abundant. With personal challenges related to business, medical issues, standard child-rearing drama and politics, I found myself continually tested to hold it all together. Stress was winning our ongoing battle and over the past few weeks, I made a pledge to myself to try and find CALM this year. So, I say hello to My Word for 2017-CALM.

Odd as it sounds, the word CALM found ME. As I was dragging myself through a holiday shopping trip I stumbled upon this wine goblet. The KEEP CALM and ______ (insert phrase here) has been very popular over the last several years. It’s the first time I actually felt a personal connection to the saying. Not that I’m recommending drinking wine to keep calm, but a little vino can be a good thing in moderation 🙂

Keep Calm and Drink Wine

Then, at a family gift exchange, someone gave my husband a book entitled “The Book of CALM” by Lizzie Cornwall, filled with sayings to keep you focused and well-adjusted. I quickly commandeered this nugget and I will be Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagram posting these quotes throughout the year.

The Book of CALM

There are several ways I’ve already begun to work calming activities into my day.

1. I listen to vibrational music while I’m working. If you’ve never done it, it’s amazing! Simply go to YouTube and search “vibrational music”. Let it play in the background while you are writing, cooking, doing social media, walking or anytime you feel you need a refresh. It totally works!

2. Practice deep breathing when you feel the stress meter creeping up. The old saying “Take a breath and count to 10” has stood the test of time for a reason. It works. Taking deep breaths helps you to oxygenate and clear your head. I tell my clients to take 3-5 slow deep breaths when they arrive home at the end of the day before entering the house. Feel the calm wash over you. Yay!

3. Block social media posts from people who aggravate you! Whether it’s political differences, professional disagreements or general life complaining, remove sources of negative energy from your life wherever possible.

4. Be thankful and count your blessings. Sometimes we are all too busy complaining or having a self-pity party instead of taking stock of all the truly wonderful things in our lives. Yes, things can always be better, but they can certainly get worse. Gratitude has an amazing way of calming anxiety and putting things into perspective.
   My Word for 2017 is CALM, find out why... What's Yours? http://wp.me/p4LsrV-Gk #hello2017 Share on X

I’ll leave you with my first inspirational quote for the New Year from the Book of CALM:

Simple Acts of Kindness Bring Happiness and Calm

Some of my fellow RDs chose their words for 2017- check them out for extra inspiration:
Kristina LaRue of Love and Zest chose PURPOSE
Sherry Coleman Collins of Southern Fried Nutrition chose BRAVE

What is your word for 2017? Please share in the comments below: