Good riddance 2016! As we welcome the New Year, I hope you find inspiration in My Word for 2017-CLAM.
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 🙂
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.
There are several ways I’ve already begun to work calming activities into my day.
- 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!
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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!
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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.
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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 Click To Tweet
I’ll leave you with my first inspirational quote for the New Year from the Book of 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:
Kim says
Lauren, I love your word for 2017 and the fact that it found you. My word for the year is “growth”, focusing on not just growing my business, but also growing in my relationships and as a person! Here’s to an awesomely calm new year~
Lauren says
Thanks, Kim! I love your word too. Such a fun exercise to begin the year anew.
anne@Craving Something Healthy says
Love this post Lauren! I hope 2017 is full of happiness and calm 🙂
Lauren says
Thanks, Anne. To you too!
gretchen | kumquat says
I love your word for 2017, Lauren… I’m already anticipating a doozy of a year, so I may be borrowing your word frequently too. 🙂 Blessings to you in 2017!
sallykuz says
That’s a great word for the year. I’m also making a concerted effort to breathe more deeply this year. It makes such a difference but it’s something I don’t do nearly enough. Here’s to a happy CALM new year!
Natalie Rizzo says
As someone who started working for myself last year, I TOTALLY understand why your word is calm!
Charlene Pors says
Such a great post! Being calm should be my word this year too! Also – love the wine glass 🙂
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen says
I think I need to incorporate this word into my daily mantra this year. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with so many things going on. I need a littler reminder of CALM and to just take one thing at a time
Byte Sized Nutrition says
I could definitely use some CALM in my life too this year. I’m loving this trend of choosing a word for the year.. I think I’m going to have to go with BALANCE. I have a tendency to take on too much at a time and get overwhelmed, so this year is all about striking a balance between work and play!
Lauren says
Balance is a great one, I need a lot more of that too 🙂
momskitchenhandbook says
I’m starting my day this year with a 5 minute meditation…my attempt at launching in the day with a sense of calm!