One Little Word for 2013

This year's word snuck up on me. I wasn't expecting it. It took a while for me to recognize it, to acknowledge it, to accept it. It sounds so....not me. And then I thought, "maybe that's the point". The One Little Word that has chosen me for 2013 is ACTION.

Here's the post that really got me thinking this word was choosing me.

I still need to spend some time with this word to discover what it really means to me. Maybe that process will take all year. I don't know. So far, I know it means moving my body and exercising (a continuation of HEALTH, my OLW for 2012).  I know it means finishing some projects around the house. It means doing more than watching TV in the evenings. It means following through with some expectations for my kids (think chore chart, from 2011's OLW- CALM).

...see how these words never really go away, how they complement and bolster each other? I just love that.

I can't wait to find out what else ACTION will come to mean to me this coming year.
Do you have a guiding word or make resolutions for the New Year? I'd love the hear about it!

One Little Word for 2012

Ali Edward's concept of One Little Word has totally changed the way I think about New Year's Resolutions. I don't make a list anymore, although I could... lose weight, save more money, blog more, plan a family vacation, go on more dates with my husband....

My word for 2011 was chosen from a short list that all had potential to guide me through the year. 2012's word practically screamed at me! 

My poor physical health this past year certainly had something to do with my choice, but as I really thought about this word, I realized it was perfect for so many more reasons, and it can have so many more meanings... physical, mental/spiritual, financial, relationships...

This past year I thought about my word a lot, blogged about it, and even took some action. But I wanted more. More ways to incorporate it into my life, more ways to document my journey with my word, and more accountability. So I am  taking a class (led by Ali) that will give me monthly prompts and assignments, plus a group of women who are also documenting their word for 2012.

I can't wait to create and share my One Little Word scrapbook! Do you have a special word for 2012?

My Spoonie Mantra

First off, what's a Spoonie? You really need to read this to get the full meaning, but in a nutshell, a Spoonie is someone with a chronic illness, especially those people who may not look sick.  "Spoons" are the amount of energy each daily task requires to complete. Here is my personal experience with spoons...

• Each task can use up a different amount of spoons, depending on the day. For example, most days I can get out of bed, shower, and get dressed, then complete the rest of my day. No prob. But sometimes, standing in the shower and raising my arms to wash my hair completely wipes me out.
• Heat, humidity, and other environmental factors greatly influence the amount of spoons, or energy, I have on any given day.
• I make fewer promises than I used to...I may feel great when I agree to do something, but when the time comes to do it, I may feel like crap and have to break my promise. That sucks.
• Some medications can be deceiving. Right now I am on steroids to control my Relapsing Polychondritis. At just the right level, I feel AWESOME. Lots of energy!! I must constantly remind myself that this is a LIE. I do not feel great, the meds are just making me think I feel that way. If I over-do it while I'm "feeling great", I definitely pay for it later.
• I cannot save spoons for another day. I try, but it doesn't always work. Each day is unique.
• However, I do ration my spoons. If I know I have to go to the grocery on Wednesday, I may plan for an easier day on Tuesday and/or Thursday. Just in case.
• I feel guilty when I "waste" feel-good time by resting when I don't seem like I need it. This is stupid, I realize, because I always need it. So here's my new mantra:

I am a Spoonie. Today, I will willingly rest before fatigue and pain force me to do so. Today, I will accept my limitations and focus on the things I did accomplish. Today, I will leave beds unmade and dishes dirty. Today, I will take care of myself without guilt.

Related articles

• 4 Strategies for Saving Energy With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (everydayhealth.com)
• Continuing to Work When You Have an Autoimmune Disorder (everydayhealth.com)
• Thankful Thursday 3/10/11 (reflectionsbyrebekah.blogspot.com)
• Thankful Thursday 3/31/11 (reflectionsbyrebekah.blogspot.com)

Achieving Calm, One Decision at a Time

I thought it was time for an update on how I'm doing with my "calm" resolution. As my One Little Word for 2011, I sometimes struggle to keep that thought at the front of my mind. Reflecting on the past couple of weeks, I am realizing more and more that calm is not something to be achieved by a life-altering change or major overhaul of anything. It comes in the day to day moments and little decisions that I consciously make. I am in charge of my behavior and reactions. Here's a few examples:

• My youngest daughter came home with a huge pile of stories and pictures she had done at school over the past few months. She scattered them all over the coffee table. I left them there for about a week, intending to go through each one and decide on a couple to keep for her scrapbook. The mess was getting to me, and the pending task was sounding less and less fun. I ended up throwing the whole lot into the recycle bin. I already have some of her work saved, and I'm sure she'll be bringing home more. Such a little thing that I let add to my stress. No more! Done.
• This past weekend I let the dinner dishes sit and played a board game with my family instead. Now, leaving a dirty kitchen is nothing new here, but this time I honestly let it go, guilt and obsession-free. I made a conscious decision to spend time with my family versus cleaning, and let myself feel good about that decision.
• I stayed out of a conversation on FaceBook that really had me riled up. The discussion was not appropriate for FaceBook, so I let it go.
• The hubs and I had tickets to go to a hockey game. We had an overnight babysitter for the kids, and people were expecting us. When it came down to it, neither of us really felt like going. Normally I would have insisted we go anyway, out of some sort of sense of duty or obligation. After a brief discussion, we spent the evening together, just us, instead. Went out to dinner and watched a movie at home. We even held hands! Definitely worth it, and it built up my "calm" stores.
• One morning last week we were rushing around as usual to get to the bus on time. My youngest daughter had put on a very interesting outfit, one I normally would in NO way let her wear to school. Normally I would freak a little and insist she change, making us even later and more stressed. But it was clean and weather-appropriate, so I took and deep breath and said, "Whatever. It's fine". And meant it. 

Image source: Found by Google Image search. URL  http://www.reformschoolrules.com/pc/barbkskpcalm/art101/Keep+Calm+And+Carry+On+Poster

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?