Back in 2018, and every year since, I began choosing a guiding word-of-the-year—otherwise known as WOTY. The idea is to pick a word as your one overarching theme or intention and then integrate it into life in the coming year. I’ve put quite a bit of thought into my word this year—more than any of the others. And although it wasn’t my first choice, “Trust” is the word I want to use as my guide during the 365 days of 2021.
Why trust? A big reason is because it keeps popping up in articles and books I’ve been reading. Then yesterday, when it showed up prominently while listening to a podcast, I knew it needed to be front and center in my life. What do I mean by “trust?” I believe it is a key to trusting that still small voice within me, farther and deeper than I have before. It also reminds me to trust the Universe (and yeah I know we all define it differently) in ways that never underestimates the love, acceptance and benevolence It has for me and us all. What might that look like? I trust that it will be greater self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance. At the end of the year you might not notice any difference, but I sure hope I do!
And if 2020 was any example, our WOTY often shows up in ways we least expect it. Last year my word was “Yes!” Can you believe it? I wanted to stay engaged, open and willing to explore any and all things that Life might bring about for me. The intention was that it would open me up to embracing more possibilities and growth for myself in known and unknown ways. As usual with a WOTY, I began repeating it to myself as much as possible by writing it in my daily journal and putting a lot of focus on what it meant and where it might lead me. Then COVID-19 happened.
Honestly, there were a few times in the last 365 days when I wanted to conveniently forget about the word and do nothing but drink wine, pig out on chocolate cake and read lightweight novels. I didn’t want to say YES! to abandoning my very well made and detailed travel plans for the summer. I didn’t want to accept the restrictions of COVID life or the news about how threatening it was to human life—not to mention the world as we knew it. In addition I definitely didn’t want to accept the turmoil, divisiveness uncertainty happening within the political world. But even though I did consider giving up the word, I didn’t. And I would like to believe that I (eventually) managed to learn and grow from the experience. If nothing else, I am happy I was alive at the end of 2020 and able to say “Yes! to a brand-new year.
So while 2020 didn’t turn out the way I planned or expected, I still think it was a good one. I guess when your WOTY is YES you still manage to find the pony in the shit. (I hope you all know the joke that phrase refers too!) I did, and because I did I’m happy to report a number of things that I became and accomplished in 2020.
- I continued SMART Living 365 (except for one month of hiatus) even though there were several times when my doubt about its (and my) worth bubbled up inside me.
- I recorded and published ten Vlogs on YouTube with my husband Thom. I had the idea before COVID, and while more challenging than anticipated, I’m glad we stuck with it.
- I started daily Spanish lessons in August and have continued every single day since. I’m not fluent, but I’m making progress on this long-term goal.
- Decided to accept and say yes to some of the physical changes in my body as I age. For one thing I allowed my hair to grow out its natural gray—definitely not something I had planned before this year. I also decided to take two different medications that were prescribed to me after several years of trying everything I could to avoid them. Rather than resist these and other bodily changes, I said yes to loving and accepting myself as I am.
- I began actively participating in the November election both by donating money along with my time and efforts in ways that I had never done before.
- I stopped censoring of many of my thoughts and understandings about what I see happening in our country—and around the world in an effort to be more “acceptable” to others (be they family members, so-called-friends, or even readers of SMART Living.)
- I felt guided to begin writing more openly about my thoughts, impressions and what really matters to me more than ever before.
- I learned to accept that certain friends and family are not my “true tribe,” and that it is better to let go of them and find my real tribe, rather than betray my true Self and attempt to win their love and approval.
- Said yes to being grateful as much as possible for my relationship with Thom, where I live, my financial state, the health of myself (and nearly everyone I knew), the opportunities I DO have and so much more of the good in my life.
Did having YES as my WOTY help me to accomplish all those items (and much more)? I believe it did. Every day when I wrote the idea of the word in my journal, I was reminded that I wanted/accepted/hoped to be open to what showed up for me—and that walked me through it. Sometimes easily, sometimes kicking and screaming, but always forward. And frankly I can’t think of any better reason to pick any word for the year than that.
If you are still wondering how WOTY all works I invite you to read my first post about choosing one and pick one for yourself. That post is HERE. If you already have a word, please share it with me and everyone because I do believe accountability helps fulfill it. Whatever you do, please consider that if we don’t set intentions for ourselves, we may find ourselves exactly in the same place 365 days from now. Instead, if you want to continue to grow and experience your life as fully as possible, the SMART choice would be to pick a WOTY and see what happens. Oh, and I “trust” that 2021 will turn out to be a great year for us all.
Thank you, Kathy. I always gain inspiration and new ideas from your blog posts. Good luck with continuing to trust. We sorely need it in these crazy times which I know we’ll get through — eventually. Best to you in the New Year.
Hi Kate! Thank you for letting me know you find my posts helpful. And yes I am already learning to “trust” that trust is the right word for me for 2021. Happy New Year to you and let’s keep remembering that we will get though it (eventually!) ~Kathy
Kathy, good for you for sticking with “Yes” during a year when you may have been tempted to yell “No, no, no!” You mentioned that “trust” wasn’t your first choice for this year. So I’m curious what word was your first choice and why you didn’t choose that?
Jude
Hi Jude. My mind is a bit muddled this week so I’m not exactly sure…but I’m thinking it was something like “acceptance” which would have been even more difficult than YES based upon how the year is going so far. I think Trust was/is an easier idea to hold close in the last few days and that it will continue to guide me in the year ahead. How about you? Did you pick a WOTY? ~Kathy
Dear Kathy
I had not heard of WOTY but your post really inspired me. Before I’d finished reading I’d decided to adopt a WOTY for 2021 and by the time I’d read your original (2018) blog I was considering two words. But before I’d settled on which one I’d forwarded the link to my five cousins – four in Canada and one in another part of UK, and to my daughter in SF – suggesting they may like to adopt a WOTY too.
To my delight, they have all done so and we have a great selection of words: ACCEPTANCE, CELEBRATION, APPRECIATE, BALANCE, HOPE, EASE, BELIEF. We plan to check-in/update at the end of the month.
So, thank you very much – and I hope you get a few more subscribers 😉
All the very best to you and Thom for 2021.
Hi Mary! Thank you for letting me know you were inspired by my sharing my WOTY and what my “word” is for the years. And how VERY cool that many of your family members embraced the idea as well. Such wonderful words. Plus I think it will be awesome to do that follow up at the end of the month AND throughout the year. Thanks for your best wishes and may your 2021 be a very very good one and guided by your WOTY. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, I love how your intentionally kept your word of the year and how it did help you to say yes. Despite the challenges of 2020, it sounds like you made leaps and bounds in terms of progress towards accepting what you want in your life and letting go of somethings that were not serving you well. That is a fantastic outcome in my book. I still haven’t chosen a WOTY, I am waiting for it to find me. I have no pressure about it.
Hi Michelle. I’m not sure about the “leaps and bounds” but I do think I made progress. Still lots of “evolving” to do but trust that my new word will lead me where I need to go. And I think waiting for your word to find you (without pressure) is a great way to go. Happy New Year! ~Kathy
No way! For many years I had a WOTY. I invited it to reveal itself to me in a New Year’s ritual that I still engage in, but without the word. Like you said, it was often a surprise, and one year in particular it was a word that I initially resisted in the strongest way. But it, like all the words, was perfect.
My last WOTY was in 2013 and the word was “wait.” I guess I’m still waiting because that was the last one that came. Ha! However, as 2020 progressed and finally came to a close, the word “trust” kept coming into my awareness from many sources and I began to spend time with it in many ways, as I still am. I told several friends that if I had a WOTY for 2021 it would be trust.
So how absolutely wonderful to come to your blog and have TRUST jump up laughing and saying, “Here I am again!” I love your description and explanation of how it came to you and what it means to you.
I wish you a most amazing year with this word, and I look forward to reading about your deepening relationship with it.
Hi Galen! How cool your former WOTYs came to you during a ritual. Mine just sort of show up and if I’m not paying much attention they start screaming hahahaha. Nice that my word jumped out at you in a much more benevolent fashion. But I’m sure, like I’ve mentioned in some of my replies to other commenters, we could all pick exactly the same word and have different impressions and interpretations. Are you going to write a blog post about yours too? I love reading the WOTYs from other bloggers because like so much of what we write is a little window into each person. So happy new year and I too look forward to your posts and ponderings in the year ahead. ~Kathy
Kathy I’ve got it! My WOTY is “intentional” a word I easily throw around but now am committed to. I’m a bit all over the place and easily distracted and forever saying “oops,” “what was I thinking?” “why did I eat that?” etc., etc., My first task will be before rushing off to the next thing to slow down, put on my reading glasses and check my comments before hitting the send button. (LOL that would have prevented the typos in my previous comment!)
Hi Amanda! Our reply/comments must have passed in the blogosphere cuz I just saw this reply. Intentional is a VERY powerful word and sure to help in all sorts of areas. And yes slowing down is always good but never worry about the typos (at least on my account!) My motto has always been, “Good and done is better than perfect!” I look forward to reading about how your word shows up for you in the next year. ~Kathy
Happy New Year Kathy, You would have thought you in he room with me while I read this because I was doing a whole lot of talking back to you! This is so awesome. I have to think of my WOTY and get back to you. You really made me think about trust for I run the other way when someone says “trust me” but to trust yourself, your instincts, what’s for you is something else entirely! I’m a firm believer in finding your true tribe and learned that by stepping out of fear and being myself my true tribe found me! So many gems in this one article, my goodness gracious thank you so much!
Hi Amanada! Happy new year to you too. And thank you for touching on something that is a big intention for me–encouraging us all to “think”! Interesting how your first impression was suspicions about others asking us to trust them. I really hadn’t considered that before. But in the past I’ve cared too much what others think of me both personally and occupationally because I like being liked. However your thoughts raised the question of whether in the past I have trusted other people and their needs and impressions above trusting myself. Duh! Thank you for helping me to flesh this out. May more awareness around these ideas help me find and belong to my “true tribe.”
And I’m looking forward to hearing about what WOTY you pick either here or in a blog post! Keep me posted. ~Kathy
I like both Yes and Trust. I hadn’t considered a WOTY. But now you’ve got me thinking. . . .
Hey Tom! Feel free to borrow them any time–and yes! Thinking is always good. ~Kathy
Despite the new conditions and restrictions 2020 brought, you did a fantastic job with all your achievements, Kathy. Cancelling or postponing your travels and changing your plans must have been really difficult. Yet, you took it all in stride and made the best of the year, learning a lot – about yourself and the world. You couldn’t have picked a better word last year!
So awesome that you stuck with the Spanish and with becoming more true to yourself, privately and publicity. I agree with you, 2020 was a pretty good year for the people (like you and me) who focused on positive changes or personal achievements one way or another.
Hi Liesbet! From my perspective you’ve had a very YES! year with the publishing of your book and learning to live in one place for a while. Surely like Thom and me, you and Mark didn’t plan or even expect what has happened, but like you said, “2020 was a pretty good year for the people (like you and me) who focused on positive changes or personal achievements one way or another.” And 2020 was a pretty good “test” for me to be able to make plans and then stay flexible with them…(I actually just originally rescheduled my travel plans when I had to cancel them in the spring and then eventually cancelled them entirely.) That’s a big element to me. Sure, make my plans just NEVER get too attached. Hopefully I’ve learned it well because yes, I’m already making plans for this summer! How about you??? ~Kathy
We never make plans! 🙂 We have a few ideas of where we “could” go, but everything is Covid-dependent, especially this summer. It would be nice to see my family in Belgium again, after three years!
That being said, a Mexican dentist visit is next (hopefully the coming week) and then, we are playing with a Zesty trip to Baja California Sur for warmer weather. Should be quiet and unpopulated there…
hahaha. I know you never make “plans” Liesbet, but I’ve known you quite a few years AND read your memoir so I do know that you “have ideas” about where and what and how and all that. Just like the way I frame my “planning,” what works for one doesn’t always work for another and your non-plans seem to work really well for you. And yes to heading to Baja. We’ve been toying with the idea of Loreto again this spring but honestly waiting for the vaccine before we go that far. It should be quiet and not too busy, but I follow several Baja FB pages and surprisingly there are still a number of people going. As with so many things, we all have to choose for ourselves. I’ll look forward to your photos if you go. ~Kathy
Kathy, I love how you were able to stay with “yes” in 2020. My 2020 WOTY was Release and while I moved away from it a bit in the second half of the year, I think I have released many of the things I hoped to in 2020, or maybe began the release process. For 2021, I’m looking forward with COURAGE. The courage to continue to release actually. Courage to release deeply held fears and to accept myself and others without judgment. The combination of Positive Psychology and some intense reading on Enneagram has really focused me this next year on continuing to grow in ways I think are going to be challenging and will require courage to “do the work” necessary to grow.
I love seeing everyone’s WOTY choices and often think… Yeah, I could have picked that one. Trusting the Universe … yeah. I definitely need to do that versus my often unreasonable expectations! But, for me, self-acceptance will take more than trust…. it’s gonna take courage to let go of long held fear. I will be watching how your WOTY works for you. Maybe it will be my WTOY sometime in the future!
Hi Pat! Wow! I’m impressed that you were so aware that courage was what you wanted to embrace and focus on in the year ahead. I think if we are paying attention we can see how far we got with our intentions last year and where we tripped up…and it certainly sounds like that worked for you. I knew you were into Positive Psychology but didn’t know you had also taken on the Enneagram. Have you written about it? I just went to your blog and couldn’t find a search box. Let me know what articles you wrote and I’ll check them out. And I saw you wrote a post about your WOTY so I’ll have to check it out. So many great blogs to read, so little time!
May you (and all of us) have the courage to recognize and release our fears and move into our best selves in 2021! ~Kathy
Hey Kathy,
Your WOTY, “Yes” for 2020 worked out great! I feel I benefitted by your writing more openly. I saw myself in many of the thoughts you shared …sometimes learning to let go of friends and family who are not your “true tribe”, so that you do not betray your “true Self”, censoring thoughts, etc. It all seemed to lead to your new word Trust for 2021! It will be interesting to read how it comes to fruition for you. Thank you for your posts.
My WOTY for 2021 is “EMBRACE”. Starting with embracing myself. To happily accept my own uniqueness and identity. Followed by embracing the uniqueness of others! Attempting to learn something new and sticking with it. As well, as embracing what life sends my way to the BEST of my ability.
Ready or not, it is here! Happy New Year 2021!
Hi Ruthie! Thank you so much for your kind words. And even though I’ve left 2020 behind, I still find that “YES!” following me around…hahaha! I guess I should warn everyone that that actually happens. When you spend quite a bit of time thinking about your word and ways it applies, it is bound to be a part of you. Another one of the gifts of WOTY? As you point out, who knows where trust will lead me but I “trust” it unfolds exactly as needed.
And embrace is a lovely and warm feeling word, at lest from my perspective. Like trust it can really address those needed thoughts about self compassion and acceptance. And in some ways, it also “embraces” the idea of YES. I would LOVE for you to let me know how it all unfolds for you as the year goes by. Thanks again for your comment and message. ~Kathy
Kathy, I think holding onto your word and moving forward into the face of change was a wise move in 2020. Based on your list of accomplishments, I’d say it served you well. Trust is a great word and one I like to think guides me even without conscious thought given it. Like faith, it is just always there. I’m glad you will put it front and center in your life this year. I appreciated your new ‘bolder side’ this past year. You have certainly given me much to think about. All the best for 2021!
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for pointing out how our WOTY puts it front and center for us. I’m guessing every single word we can pick can be interpreted by each of us in slightly different ways. But whatever we each pick, my advice is to really spend some time on what it is we want to hold our gaze and then “work it” if possible. And hey, if 2020 wasn’t good for anything else, it WAS good for having us realize what matters most to us.
And thank you for pointing out that you appreciated my new more outspoken voice this last year…and I think you know how I LOVE hearing I gave you things to think about! May your 2021 be a return to more travel for you and your husband (I’m hoping for me and mine too!) because I miss seeing your travel photos on your blog! ~Kathy
Love your choice of the word “trust” as your WOTY for 2021. It applies to so much in terms of how we perceive what the world/universe offers us. One of my nightly affirmations speaks to this: “I trust that all is well and on my side every moment.” It’s gotten me through some tough situations, reminding me to stop fighting things I can’t control and have faith that things will work out the way they’re supposed to (and teach me some lessons I’m meant to learn along the way!). Wonderful post, Kathy! Happy New Year to you and Them.
Hi Roxanne! I think you touched on the major reasons I picked my word and your affirmation speaks to me as well. Especially because Kloe has been sick and we finally took her to the emergency pet clinic today and had to leave her there (because COVID, right?) We are waiting to hear what is wrong with her and what she needs to get well and as you say, it’s one of those things we can’t control and just have to “trust” that it will work out the way it is supposed to (although at this point I am not in the mood for a “lesson” –maybe tomorrow!) Glad you liked the post and may 2021 just get better and better. ~Kathy
Sending good thoughts Kloe’s way…it’s so hard when our pets are sick and they can’t tell us what’s wrong. A hug to you and Thom (not Them!) as you wait this out.
Hi Kathy – I love your WOTY – it’s perfect and will definitely translate well into accepting our new normal and seeing where things go in 2021. I’m sharing my word on Monday with a link up for anyone who wants to add thier #WOTY post (feel free!) or who wants to check out the others. I love the concept and have been doing it since 2015.
I also liked your revision/lessons from 2020 – a lot of them I could relate to because I think a lot of us used the down time to re-evaluate and take stock – to throw out what wasn’t working and to replace it with stuff that felt authentic and real. I think that’s set us up well for 2021 – Happy New Year!
Hi Leanne! I will definitely have to come by your blog and check our your linkup to see what everyone’s WFTY is. And I can’t remember, but it might have been you who I first heard about it in the first place. Such a nice (and helpful) practice for us all. And YES to a wonderful 2021 for us all. ~Kathy
Thank you for all your good blogs! I think I will go with the word “Hurrah” during 2021. Perhaps it has to do with reigniting my 40 + years as a real estate broker to work with downsizing seniors needing help with all the decisions associated with that dramatic change in life. But then again, it probably is more attuned with being 87, outliving my retirement savings and looking forward to the next 10 (?) years! My Last Hurrah!
Hi Jim! “Hurrah!” for you and your next 10+ years! I personally don’t always see a return to certain occupations as a negative (especially real estate because you can easily do that until you’re 100). Not only will your reignited career keep your mind active, it will also allow you to help others while doing it and that is a win-win in my estimation. Keep saying Hurrah! and have a wonderful 2021! ~ Kathy
Hi Kathy, Happy New Year! I, too, love the positive spin you put on 2020. Yes, lots of great things did come out of it. Learning to survive and thrive with less, reconnecting with nature and deepening your relationships with the people closest to you.
If I had to pick a word for 2021, it would have to be “confidence”. During the year, it has been hard to be confident about coming out the other side of a pandemic and what that will look like. I am going to be “confident’ everything will be okay and that we all will end up kinder and keep the slower pace to enjoy life. After all, you work to live not live to work! Thanks for posting the article – it’s a great way to start 2021.
Hi Debbie! It sounds to me that your idea of “confidence” is somewhat similar to my take on “trust.” Of course, I do believe that every word we pick is unique to how we each see the world but don’t doubt some are similar. As for what you hope to come out of your word, I 100% agree! Yes to a good start for 2021! ~Kathy
I think Trust is a fabulous word for 2021! I don’t normally choose a WOTY, but I was talking about the concept with my husband on our daily walk today. IF (big if) I were to have a word for 2021, it would probably be Reduce. We still have things to get rid of in our quest to downsize/rightsize, plus I’d love to lose those pesky 5 pounds I managed to accumulated during 2020. Since you know me, I’m sure you realize Reduce doesn’t apply to how we embrace our future. I am really looking forward to what 2021 has in store for us… we can make it wonderful!
Hi Janis. Like I said to Caree in my response, our words (if we choose to pick one of course!) is really our personal interpretation so yeah, reduce would be a fine one. I can unfortunately relate to the “extra 5” although I think mine might be a bit more!!! And whether or not you pick reduce, I KNOW it has nothing to do with the travel you hope to take in the next 365 days!!! Yes to making it wonderful! ~Kathy
Thanks so much – I might “borrow” it for my talk on Sunday !
Happy New Year!
Deb
PS: I’m leaning toward “lightheartedness” for my word! (or fun!)
Hi Deb. Feel free to borrow any time! And lightheartedness is one that feels good to me too. ~Kathy
Happy New Year, Kathy. This year my word is Less. If 2020 has shown me anything, it has been in learning to live in so many different ways with less and in 2021 I want to seek more from less, living more simply but with focus and aspirations.
Hi Caree! I love that you picked a word that has so many different layers of meaning. Isn’t that one of the gifts? IMHO “trust” can be taken in so many way as well. Doesn’t it really depend on how our word “speaks” to each of us? May you find and explore “less” in the next 365 days in ways that enhance your life. ~Kathy
Kathy – I’d love to know what WOTY means – sorry if I missed it in your blog…
Hi Deb! Oh dear…did I not make it clear that WOTY stands for Word Of The Year? Sorry about that! ~Kathy P.S. Happy New Year to you and Kenn!
My WOTY…. PEACE….. I allowed anger at world events, personal circumstances, political leaders etc, etc, to rob often of peace in 2020… foolishness… so much was totally out of my personal control. So let’s hope one year older…. one year wiser. May 2021 bring healing to our world ?, body, soul and spirit.
Hi Fances! Happy New Year! I think peace is a GREAT WOTY for all of us. Like you said it is so easy for things we can’t control to trigger our thinking, our mood and our emotions. May peace be exactly what you need to experience the best of 2021. ~Kathy
My 2020 word was Alignment, and I found it most useful as I entered retirement and did all that was needed to relocate to my new home, on Vancouver Island. My choices were all based in Alignment with my needs and values.
My 2021 word was going to be the same, as Alignment worked so well for me in 2020, but then I pulled the Ace of Cups as my card for 2021 and one of the meanings is inner attunement. So that settled it: 2021 is the year of Attunement (a furthering of Alignment, if you will) for me.
Trust is a very good word. May it serve you well.
Deb
Hi Deb! I’ve used “Align” in the past for exactly the same reason as you and I also believe that attunement is an equally powerful word. May both of our words be exactly what we need to fulfill and experience in 2021. ~Kathy
What a lovely post, Kathy, and happy new year to you and Thom. Trust is a wonderful WOTY and I’m sure it will take you far. I continue to use faith as my word, because it has not failed me and won’t ever. I believe faith goes hand in hand with trust as well. I enjoyed reading your positive spin on 2020, and you accomplished so much. In spite of the downs, and they were serious, most of us are walking into 2021 with more resilience and perhaps resolve than ever before. The pandemic spurred us to make an early decision to sell our home and move out of state to start our new chapter. I’m sharing my retrospective on my blog this Sunday. Cheers!
Hi Terri! Happy New Year! Glad you liked the post and for sharing that your word is “faith.” Both words are good intentions for us don’t you think? And good for you for walking into all the changes you brought about for yourself and Hans this year in spite of everything. And my 2021 be the experience that you hope for as you start your new life in a new place. ~Kathy
Happy 2021, Kathy!
Your word is so similar to mine! My word is, “faith.” It has been such a challenging year, and after taking a year off of blogging, it has been interesting to see that nearly everyone else has been similarly affected. Going into this new year, I think we all need to lift each other up and help one another to stay positive and trust that (to quote your book!) “all things work together for good.”
Hi Bethany! Welcome back to blogging and Happy New Year! Glad to hear you still hanging in there and putting one foot in front of the others. Sometimes that is good enough right? And yes, let’s remember that “all things work together for good” or as Abraham Hicks says, “Things are always working out for you.” ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – ‘Trust’ is a very brave, bold and exhilarating word. I look forward to following how this guides you.
I was delighted to read your review of 2020 and that you summed it up to be a ‘good year’. I was a bit down heartened to hear all of the ‘good riddance 2020’ jokes last night (CNN), with little insight into all that was accomplished (perhaps they covered that part when I was not watching).
Wishing you and Thom a happy, healthy and peaceful year ahead! I trust that it will be so! 😀
Hi Donna! Boy you were up early reading blog posts on this Sunday morning. Thanks for making mine one of them. I’l admit that we just watched a movie last night before bed and called it a night. We’ve disconnected our cable so only have streaming services. The good news is that we don’t get news channels!! And yes to a wonderful 2021. May the new year be a good one for you, Richard and your family and I look forward to our connections in the coming days. ~Kathy