Why I Chose a Word of the Year
Word of the Year. I know you have heard this. You may or may not subscribe to this mindset and that’s okay, too. This is the first year I chose a word, and I want to tell you why.
I have been hearing about the “word of the year” for quite a while now. I didn’t get it. I mean, if your word of the year is “health” or “purpose” or whatever word you have chosen – should you not always be living your life with those words in mind? I admit it. I was a cynic.
Then several months ago – I experienced something I’ve never had before. At least, not at this kind of level.
Depression.
I had had minor bouts of depression here and there – but this was deeper than any degree I had ever undergone. Usually, I could mentally whip myself out of it. If nothing else, a good dose of guilt would usually do the trick.
“I have NO right to be depressed.”
” I should be ashamed of myself for being depressed.”
My blog was suffering. My house was a mess. I was a mess.
And that is when it occurred to me.
I had to learn to accept a few things about myself.
I’m no longer a young woman. I don’t mean that as if I am sad about the wrinkles and the gray hair because I am not. But, I am sad that I simply cannot accomplish as much as I used to when I was younger. I mean – even Wonder Woman finally hung up her cape as she matured. 😀
My health issues weren’t getting any better and I had basically given up on doctors. I knew that 2018 was the year I took my own health back. In my heart, I felt if I did not do something I would literally die.
So what is my Word of the Year you may ask?
UNDER
I can hear you. That makes NO sense. Let me try to explain.
The opposite of under is OVER? Almost everything going on in my life last year and had put me in a depression started with OVER. Over-worked. Over-eating. Over-tired. Over-stressed. So this year, I will strive for UNDER.
That means taking time for Barb. Saying no when I simply cannot take on another task. Even putting this blog a bit on the back burner so I can do more of the things that make me happy.
So, to everyone who has ever chosen a Word of the Year – I apologize. I get it now. Your word is to gently remind you. To be a guide. To help you remember something which is too easily forgotten.
While the word “Under” may not be as inspiring as other Words of the Year that you may have heard about – I am okay with it. Sometimes it’s the simplest of words that have the most impact.
Finding Balance. Finding Core. Finding Barb.
I have a super huge announcement to make…
One way I have decided to ease my stress is to take on a blog partner. She is a very dear person to me and a best friend. She is my niece, Katie.
Military Wife, Mama to three amazing little girls, a Homeschool Mom and an incredibly loving and caring person. She has played a large role in my decision to take back my health. It’s not unusual for me to text her at midnight and say “Help! I need an oil for….”
So, I asked Katie to come aboard The Everyday Home and share her knowledge about oils and natural healthy living. Don’t worry. If you’re not into oils this blog will not become The Everyday Oily Home. Ha! But, I think you will enjoy what she has to share. So please give her a huge welcome for me.
Next week, I am sooooo incredibly happy to announce I am giving away a FREE 1-year Calendar Printable to everyone who has signed up for my Email List or for any new subscribers. Here are a few samples…
12 Custom Designed Watercolor Calendar Printables. Stay tuned Sunday!!!
In the meantime, here is your FREE January 2018 Calendar Printable.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE JANUARY 2018 CALENDAR PRINTABLE
xxoo, Barb
………………………………………………………………….
Do you follow The Everyday Home on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram?
I would love for you to Pin & Share these images on your fave social media sites.
Simply scroll the center of the images and click the icons of your choice.
……………………………………………
Thank you for spending a few
minutes of your day here with me.
You can follow along with
The Everyday Home here….
PINTEREST FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM
” …everyday ideas for your home and life! “
So glad you are taking care of yourself…looking forward to your 2018 blog with your new partner.
View CommentThank you Carol, I am very excited and we will be the perfect fit. Hope you have a Happy 2018. xxoo
View CommentRemember that you are not alone in your journey. Pamper yourself! Get the help you need. The right medication and talk therapy are two keys that helped me tremendously. Also, remember this is an illness and can be treated. If you mention your illness to friends, you will be surprised at How many have been treated for this illness.
View CommentBest wishes for a speedy recovery.
You are right. I have reached out to several friends and have found they are also going through many of the same issues. I have considered some therapy and may go in that direction if I don’t feel I am making headways. Hoping you have a great 2018.
View CommentGood for you!!!! For 30 years I have volunteered in teaching primary kids in Sunday School and Church. The past few months I have felt the call in a different direction. My husband and I are both 66, and have adopted our twin grand children, 8 years old. We have had them since they were babies. Under the
View Commentcircumstances, we never regretted raising them. However, between volunteering at school, church, helping with homework, cooking meals, cleaning and laundry, I too, began feeling over-whelmed. My health and my energy isn’t what it used to be, but I am working on it. Do what you need to do, and God will take care of the rest. Vicki
Hi Victoria, I know exactly what you mean. While I don’t raise my grand-babies (12, 8 and 5) full time, they are with us a LOT. But, I would not have it any other way. THEY are the primary reason I want to get better. But it all gets overwhelming doesn’t it? Praying for you and your husband in the care of your babies, too. xxoo
View CommentGood for you! Have you had your thyroid checked? That was the cause of my depression. I love your blog and am looking forward to meeting Katie and learning how to use oils, but I hope you continue to share your beautiful home and wonderful ideas with us! Best of luck and have a very Happy 2018!
View CommentHi Ellen,
View CommentYes I have four auto-immunes, Hypothyroidism being one of them. My declining health has been a major factor in my depression because it has drastically changed my life so much. That is why I am so anxious to find more natural cures so I can finally get off all of the meds I am on. I will still be posting as usual, she will just be taking over one of my days per week to give me a break. 🙂 Have a great New Year! xxoo
Prayers for you!!! I know what you are going through (I know the factors for you and me are different) I have been diagnose with severe depression, panic attacks and anxiety! I did not leave my home for a year and would not leave my comfort zone now except with my husband now in home hospice … I have to do the shopping and all errands that is hard but they have added and increased meds and see and talk to a conselars..Thank you for listening and God bless… So excited for you and your niece and she is beautiful and has a beautiful family
View CommentNorma I am so sorry your depression is so bad. I have bouts of anxiety too but nothing as severe. And I am so sorry your husband is in hospice. That must be so hard for you. I am praying for strength for you and that God guides you wherever you go. You have been such a dear follower here at this blog and I thank you for your kindness. I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year. xxoo
View CommentIt’s good to hear you are taking care of yourself first. Having a blog partner should give you much need help, plus the two of you working together can be very inspirational. Happy New Year!
View CommentI am so excited to work with Katie. She is a very inspirational young woman and makes me want to be a better person, too. Have a great New Year.
View CommentI am a new follower, thank you for the calendar downloads!
You are a wise woman to realize when you need help, and to seek it out. I look forward to blogs about oils and natural healthy living, things that I am also interested in.
I have also had a year of being totally overwhelmed with things in my life. I have also suffered bouts of depression. Thank God, the things that i had no control over are getting better. So many times in my day, I would have to call out to God I need Him to be God in my life. I could not make it through the day without His presence in my life! I am also part of a Women’s Ministry group, without whom I could not have made it through the year.
View CommentMy word for this year is Joy. Joy in getting up everyday, experiencing joy in every moment of the day, my first cup of coffee, seeing the first fingers of sunlight as it hits the pine trees in my backyard, seeing a hawk soaring above the trees, Joy in living this life I have been given.
Looking forward to your blog posts.
Hi Mary – I am so glad you found The Everyday Home, welcome. Joy is always such a beautiful and uplifting word to me. For some reason, I associate it with the presence of God. I thinkHe helped me realize a lot about myself and my life last year through prayer. Thank you for your kind words and I hope you have a Joy-filled New Year. xxoo
View CommentI think fighting depression is something everyone deals with at one time or another. If someone says they are never depressed I think they are not admitting it to themselves. Whether it’s health, marriage, children or life in general everything is not always perfect. And you can’t expect it to be. All you can do is learn, grow and do the best you can. And ask for help when needed. There is nothing wrong with that at all.
View CommentI think you picked a great word! Now try to take better care of yourself and take time for you.
I have had very brief episodes of depression, and I think you are absolutely right. Everyone at some point suffers from it. I didn’t want to acknowledge that this time was different. But I had no choice. Hope you have a great year! xxoo
View CommentYour new partner sounds like a Godsend for you. I think your blog will be more fulfilling for you as will your choice to give yourself more self care. I myself have just had this same “revelation” in 2017. I had my 4th back surgery in 2016, am 64 years old and have been struggling with the fact that I am not 25 anymore with a 25 year olds body. I thought my generation would never age … boy am I surprised. It’s been a journey learning to listen to my body, take time to rest and be sure to eat good foods. My husband and I are now trying to simplify our lives so we don’t have so much pressure to perform.
I look forward to seeing you grow and feel better. Keep us posted for sure.
View CommentYou know, I almost made the word “Simplify” my word of the year. I know how you feel. In my mind I am still 25, but my body thinks its 85 some days. This will be a new journey for me. Hope you have a great year! xxoo
View CommentWhat a fantastic post, Barb! Such excellent reminders. This post made me choose a word of the year…STRIVE…thank you! I pray that 2018 will be one filled with lots of under’s for you! I’m glad you are taking time to take care of Barb. I got that lesson early last year and am so much better for it! Happy New Year to you, my sweet friend!
View CommentThat is a great word. Strive can remind you of so many things you need to be doing. I hope you have a wonderful New Year! xxoo
View CommentBeautiful grandchildren, beautiful snow pictures, you are blessed.
View CommentI went to see me doctor in the middle of last year not feeling to good, Boy was I shocked when he said to me your depressed. I now have a happy mood light that I use a little everyday. Got it from Amazon, great thing.
I have never heard of this. I will look into it. Thanks for sharing. xxoo
View CommentGood to hear that you as well as myself realize we aren’t young anymore and need to take care of what really matters.
Have a happy 2018,
View CommentJane
Hi Jane – yes we do need to take care of ourselves. I am an independent type and do not like others taking care of me. Health is so, so important in our everday being. Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2018. xxoo
View CommentLove,Love you blog. I totally understand all that you went through & going through. Been there. I’m a cancer survivor, but all the surgeries & chemo did a number on my body, but by the grace of God I get up to a new day everyday! My word is Image. For I am made in God’s image, so I know I’m Special. So let’s just see what 2018 brings to us all. Good Luck!!!
View CommentI cannot imagine what you have been through and pray I never have to. I am so glad you can call yourself a survivor and I hope all of that is behind you forever. Image is a beautiful word and I love your meaning behind it. May you have a blessed 2018. xxoo
View CommentGood for you! I work with my daughter on my blog and it helps tremendously!! I am excited to see what happens for you in 2018!
View CommentI am looking forward to working with her and her excitement is helping me get past my “blog funk.” It will be a great load off of me. Have a great 2018. xxoo
View Commentall of us in our lifetimes comes to a point where we just have to step back and take care of ourselves, and this is your time. Congratulations on recognizing this, a lot of people don’t, and congratulations on having your niece join you, that is great and I am looking forward to reading about her ideas and thoughts. Hang in there, I have reached the age now that if I don’t want to do it, I don’t do it. If I don’t want to go somewhere, I don’t go. If I want to take a nap, so be it, I take a nap. So enjoy your time to yourself, do what has to be done for YOU so you can get back to where you want to be. I will still be here as I am sure your other followers will be and we will enjoy your niece. Take Care.
View CommentThank you Sherry – your words ring so true. I am at that point where I HAD to take stock of my life and what was causing me the stress and depressions. Not always an easy thing to do. You are right, we have to do more of what makes us happy. Hang in there and we will all work through this thing called life together. 🙂 xxoo, Barb
View CommentI,too, have a word for the year. It’s improve. I need to improve in a lot of ways, some small and some not so small. I am doing the 18 for 2018. And I understand where you are in life. As we age it becomes harder to accomplish tasks without taking breaks. I wish you the best of luck in 2018, taking care of yourself.
View CommentSeveral years ago I adopted a word to recenter, recharge, remind me of blessings and sometimes to STOP (as in enough is enough). After sharing my *word* with some friends, I made some decorative business cards with only that word. It has surprised and pleased me to find how well received the sharing of these cards is. Needless to say, it remains my *word* each year as it is so versatile.
View CommentHave a wonderful year.
Barb, thanks for sharing with us. I know that many of us will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Life will often bring us some tough times. You have certainly gone through these times with your health. And, yes, depression is one thing that usually sets in when one is feeling so down. Also, it’s hard to realize that you just can’t do everything in a day like you once did. Barb, I am so happy that you are giving yourself some help. This is wonderful — and especially when it’s your dear niece coming to give you a hand.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Your grand babies are precious and I know how much joy they bring you and your dear hubby! How nice to have them live so close to you! They love you so much — and need you to be there for them!
Barb, we will be praying for you! You just keep looking up to Him! He knows all about you and what you are going through and He loves and cares for you.
I pray that the New Year will be a wonderful one for you — filled with lots of good health and happiness!
Blessings!
View CommentI love the snow pictures and your grandbabies. I know they bring you much joy. Welcome Katie to this lovely blog you will love it here. Barb stay true to yourself and have a awesome 2018.
View CommentI’ve never chosen a word of the year but you’ve just inspired me. I think I’ll choose “balance.” Five years ago my husband spent a month in a medical psychiatric hospital. Long story, but eventually he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. The paranoia and hallucinations are somewhat controlled by medication but we know he’ll continue to decline. He has been in an assisted living facility since he was released from the hospital. I’m blessed to have the support of my children who insisted this was the best option for everyone. I talk to a therapist once a month and she encourages me to take care of myself first. Blogs like yours have inspired me to do creative things that bring me joy. My latest project was to add raised stencils and paint the vanities in both bathrooms. I know it may take me longer to do a project that it did when I was younger but I pace myself and eventually I get my project finished. I know it’s cold there now so you probably don’t want to be outside so spend time looking out the window. Enjoying God’s creation is a great mood lifter!
View CommentGood for you for being the smart woman you are and reaching out when you knew something was wrong! I hear you! Getting older is tough when you want to get so many things done….I have some anxiety…told it was from my type A personality! I read a book, Boundaries…very insightful on saying no! Have only followed you a short time but look forward to everything you have to say! Happy to hear what your niece says about oils and health…I am just researching…some mixed feelings on some of what I hear! Perfect team I think and perfect word for 2018! Love you! Wish you were my neighbor! We have had no snow here in Colorado Springs, CO!!!!!
View CommentBarb, i know exactly what you mean. I am suddenly realizing that I’m not a young person any more and it makes me sad. I think about things and then I start thinking I may not be able to do them much longer or again. Congratulations on your word of the year, and congratulations for taking your life back!
View CommentThanks in advance for the calendar, looking forward to seeing it. Interesting idea for word of the year. I’m contemplating mine now. Enjoy the snow! Just trying to stay warm in Kentucky!
View CommentI love your choice in word for the year! And congratulations to your new [to us] partner.
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead. ?
View CommentHi Barb! I also suffer from depression. I think your word is a great choice. I struggle regularly with not being able to keep up on my house and work full time. I raised three daughters and sometimes worked two jobs and was never as behind as I am now. Best of luck and I look forward to your niece joining you.
View CommentKim.
Thank you for sharing, Barb. I will pray for you! I have been frustrated this past year because of my lack of energy. I will turn 60 in February and I just can’t accomplish what I used to. I didn’t even get all my Christmas decorations out and I love Christmas! I quit my full-time job a few months ago so I could take care of my grandchildren. They are 5 and 2 and it has been a huge blessing, however, they do tire me out! But we have such fun together! I guess I didn’t realize I would have to slow down as I got older. It really makes me sad and kinda mad. I know I have so much to be thankful for, and I am, but it is so hard. I hope you get to feeling better and I am so glad you are taking care of yourself now. Sometimes we have to get to a place where it makes us take stock and realize we need to take care of ourselves. God bless you and know many are praying for you!
View CommentHi Barb, I was just reading about how to choose your word a couple of days ago. For the last couple of years I have chosen a “word” after praying and asking God if there was a word that I should focus on. Sometimes I had a lot to learn about what that word really meant for me. Just because I chose a “word” did it magically happen? Not usually the way I expected but at the end of the year I could look back and see the direction I was heading.
View CommentI just read an excerpt from the book MY ONE WORD by Mike Ashcroft. It’s very inspiring and kind of takes the guilt away from trying to do something on our own that we were never meant to do alone. It you have an opportunity to check out the excerpt on FAITH GATEWAY.com. I pray you will find that God will lead you through this season of life and keep you UNDER His tender care.
Sherry
Hang in there! We’re all there with you and sending loving hearts.
View CommentWe all have to accept getting older! I just turned 60!!!ugh ! I NEVER thought of myself EVER reaching THAT age! Count your blessings ! You are still VERY young ! Chasing around those kids ! Beautiful family ! Take care !
View CommentI applaud you for starting to realize that “YOU” are more important than anything else!! I have chosen a “Word” for a few years now . Last year, mine was Hope and this year mine is PEACE. Here is the link to my post about why I chose it:
View Commenthttp://debbie-dabbleblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/my-one-little-word-for-2018.html
Here is a link to the One Word Blog Hop if you want to link up this post if you did not already:
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2018/01/2018-one-word-blog-hop.html
Wishing you the best in the New Year and looking forward to hearing how it goes for you with your “Word” of UNDER which I think is a fantastic choice!!
Hugs,
Debd
Hi Barb,
View CommentSo sorry to hear about your depression. Some blood pressure meds cause depression in “people who are susceptible”. I have to take blood pressure medicine that has a side effect of depression
(in some people). So my doctor put me on a mild antidepressant and I’ve never felt better, and I’m not young–I’m a senior citizen. I hope you have a great doctor who is willing to work with you to get to the root of your depression. It’s possibly something other than overwork. I’m not a doctor, but I do believe having the right one (your gut instinct will tell you) can make all the difference in the world.
Good bless you–LOVE your blog. 🙂
Dear Sweet Barb,
View CommentMy heart goes out to you as you have shared your heart with us.
I too have struggled with depression in my past. It is one tough row to hoe.
With the help of counseling, medication, prayer and an understanding husband- I made it through.
As a long time believer, I realized that I needed to dig in my spiritual heels and stand on God’s word and his promises to me! I camped in the psalms daily! They were a balm to my weary soul.
Bless you as you go through this journey.
This is the first year I have chosen a word also….well actually 2 words which seem synonymous to me… my words are FREEDOM/DELIVERANCE. I will focus on the freedom and deliverance that I have in Jesus Christ.
Praying for God’s Freedom and Deliverance for you in 2018!
I don’t always choose a word but when I do, it’s a great reminder to keep working towards it. it can be your own personal motivator. Take care of yourself and focus on what is most important. Best wishes for the new year!
View CommentShelley
Well Dear Friend, my first reaction was “Praise the Lord and Hallelujah”, finally Barb is going to take care of herself. My second reaction was I’m sad that you went through depression, ( know that and anxiety all too well and don’t wish it on anyone) but, if that was what got you to really think about what your body and heart need then so be it. I think adding your sweet Katie is a fabulous idea. I wish I had someone to share my blog with. Please tell her I wish her the best and look forward to her posts! You need this and you are going to feel so much better. Luv ya
View Comment