My Word for the Year 2023

I’m a writer, so you would think I have an excellent command of the English language.

However I’ve been struggling to pinpoint my word for the year for 2023.

In fact, when I started writing this post, I still didn’t know what it would be – but there’s something about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) that always helps me find clarity.

This is my sixth year on the One Little Word bandwagon, and I do find it helps guide my steps day to day. You can read about each of my previous “words” here:

• 2018 – breathe (and a wrap up at the end of the year)
• 2019 – colour (and the end of year report)
• 2020 – blossom
• 2021 – prosper
• 2022 – triumphant

So why is it so difficult to choose my word for the year this time around? I know what I want, but have struggled to find just one word that encapsulates it all!

Perhaps it is because of what happened with last year’s “word”, which was “triumphant”.

Did I feel triumphant at the end of last year?

To be honest, no.

More like defeated.

I should have felt more triumphant, because on paper, it was a great year!

• I’ve definitely grown in confidence.
• I have more energy.
• I’m filled with purpose.
• I have great relationships.
• In the 2021/2022 financial year, I managed to triple my business’ turnover and double the profits (and am continuing on the upwards trajectory).
• Our children are happy and prospering: our daughter and her husband have moved to acreage, and she has recently been promoted; while our son married a delightful young lady, and has almost completed his Masters degree while working fulltime.
• Oh, and how could I forget, my business won SEO Agency of the Year just before Christmas!

So why wasn’t I on top of the world and feeling triumphant?

I think Covid quickly followed by a middle ear infection really knocked me around. As I wrote my Sentence A Day post for November and December last weekend, I could see that I’d been struggling with weariness and burnout all through November.

So yes, while I achieved lots of amazing things and should have been feeling triumphant, instead I was feeling rather low. But here’s what I reminded myself:

Firstly – I did achieve a triumphant year! The fact I wasn’t “feeling” it, doesn’t alter the fact 😉 .

Secondly – I knew it was the “post-Covid” blues and that it would soon pass (and if it didn’t I would need to get some help), and sure enough it did. Two weeks at the beach with my beloved husbear definitely helped restore my usual optimistic and sunny nature, and buoyant personality.

Which brings me to what I want out of 2023.

I want to NOT end the year exhausted and worn out!

Words that have crossed my mind include balance, rest, grace, and self-care. I want to be kinder to myself; I worked stupid hours last year, and although I love what I do, all work and no play makes Janet a dull (and weary) girl.

My goals for 2023 include taking every second Friday off (ideally so the husbear and I can spend the weekend at our beach shack), and increasing the responsibilities and hours that I give to my team members so I can get “off the tools” and not get bogged down in work.

And so to my one little word for 2023:

I want to FLOURISH!

Flourish: because I’m already well established and have achieved a lot, but now it’s time to start enjoying the fruits of my labours, both personally and professionally. Flourishing is about doing well and heck, even enjoying life – thriving.

In fact, I stumbled upon a wonderful article all about the concept of flourishing, and it pretty much says it all for me. For example, it included a definition of flourishing from the father of Positive Psychology, Martin Seligman:

To flourish is to find fulfillment in our lives, accomplishing meaningful and worthwhile tasks, and connecting with others at a deeper level—in essence, living the “good life”.

It hasn’t necessarily started off well. Since I returned to the office on 9 January, I’ve had to work both weekends 🙁 .

I’ve had some health issues and need a small procedure, most likely requiring an overnight hospital stay, in the near future.

However the good news is, my new team member started this past week so that should help, having another set of hands to get the work done. (Though it’s busier than ever while I’m training him and getting him up to speed!)

I’ve booked out every second Friday in my calendar so it can’t get filled up with meetings. It’s not much, but a step in the right direction.

So “flourish” is my word for the year … I would love to hear what you have chosen for your One Little Word!