My Word for 2009

In an earlier post I mentioned that I was working on choosing a word of the year for 2009. I promised to share mine when I figured it out. I had a long list of words but none of them felt right to me. I was reading a post on the Zen Habits blog about thriving on a simpler lifestyle and it came to me what word I wanted - Simplify.

I have this recurring (weekly, daily, hourly recurring) fantasy of packing a bag and flying to London to stay. When I think about what I'd put in the bag I'm always surprised at how easy it would be to leave things behind. Which makes me wonder why I have so much stuff!

Simplify

To make simple or simpler, as:

a. To reduce in complexity or extent.

b. To reduce to fundamental parts.

c. To make easier to understand.

I like definition b best - to reduce to fundamental parts. My goal for 2009 is going to be to reduce my life to fundamentals - only those things which are necessary. I don't mean just stuff although that is part of it. I want to figure out what is really essential and keep only those things, emotions, etc that I can't do without. I read once that you should only keep what is useful or beautiful. I think that could apply to more than material things. I'm going to use that as a starting point. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this but it should be interesting!

So did anyone else choose a word? Please share if you did!

Robin, the lonely (but simplified) blog mistress

Word of the Year

This is an interesting idea that I found, where else, on a blog! Christine Kane's blog is about inspiring creativity, change and other good stuff like that. One of her suggestions in lieu of long lists of New Year's resolutions that generally last 2 minutes, is to choose a word for the year. This word is a way of setting intentions for the year.

Anyway I really liked this idea and am working on choosing a word for 2009. I have a list of 12 words right now. When I started this I thought it would be easy but it really requires you to think about what each word would mean. It's easy to say, oh I'll pick the word change. But what exactly would that mean? Also it's a little broad and I want to be a bit specific.

Give this a shot - it's kind of fun! If you pick a word please, please share it as a comment or post! Once I decide, I'll share mine.

Robin, the lonely blog mistress