Word of the Year
For the past few years I have chosen a WOTY (Word of the Year #oneword365) like many others, and try to stick with it as my theme for the year ahead. It’s different to setting a new year’s resolution and I don’t find it as restrictive or punishing.
Once again I thought long and hard and considered lots of other words, with the main contenders being light, sparkle and enough.
My word for the year ahead is:
TIME
Why did I choose TIME?
It’s funny how sometimes a word keeps jumping out at you in what you read, what you listen to or just in everyday conversation. That’s what happened with TIME, it just kept cropping up, so I decided to go with it and jotted down a few ways I am going to try to focus on TIME in 2019.
- TIME for self
- TIME for others
- Take TIME
- Make TIME
- Give TIME
- Lose the guilt in relation to TIME passing
- Use TIME wisely
- Try not to waste TIME
- Down TIME
- Limit TIME on social media
- Make the most of TIME
I find that as I hurtle towards a new decade (still quite a while away but it’s now way closer than the previous big number birthday), I am aware of time passing too quickly. The years fly by, the days fly by and before we know it we have lost so much precious time with not much to show for it.
These days with social media the way it is, we can lose ourselves for hours and surface having achieved nothing substantial and feeling cheated.
I will be limiting my time on social media and making time to do things I really want to do. Having said that, if I feel like taking time to read a book I will do so, without the pangs of guilt that often accompany sitting reading.
Spending time with others is a gift and having had a tough 2018 I am even more of the limited time we have on this earth. I intend to make the most of my time.
Time in Quotes
I also love quotes and a search found these, I think they’re all very appropriate to my WOTY, especially the Dr Seuss one!
I wish it need not have happened in my time, said Frodo.So do I, said Gandalf, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.
Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why.
It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.
Sometimes I feel like if you just watch things, just sit still and let the world exist in front of you – sometimes I swear that just for a second time freezes and the world pauses in its tilt. Just for a second. And if you somehow found a way to live in that second, then you would live forever.
Pandemonium
How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?
Time in Poetry
Back in 2016 I wrote this magnetic poem from random tiles, I’d forgotten all about it until I searched my media library for any photos of TIME. It is just perfect for my WOTY, don’t you think? This will be my mantra for the year ahead!
2018 – My word was FOCUS, and a collection of other F words 🙂
- Family
- Fitness and Health
- Fun
- Friendship
- Blogging
- Photography (almost an F word)
I think I did well with my areas of FOCUS last year – I saw lots of family, improved my health and fitness, had fun, consolidated my friendships, enjoyed my blogging and met many bloggers in real life, and I learnt a lot about photography through participation in the 52 week photo challenge with family members.
2017 – was a year of New Horizons
Back in December 2016, I wrote a post in response to a photo challenge prompt of New Horizons and so it seems I had inadvertently chosen my word for 2017! It worked well too, as the year was one of new horizons for both of us with our first full year of retirement.
Time for 2019
So there it is, I’ve stated my aim for the year and now have a focus. What do you think of my choice for my word of the year? Can I add any more areas I should include for my TIME to be well spent?
I am enjoying reading other bloggers posts about their WOTY. I’m interested, do you choose a word of the year or do you think it’s all a bit wanky? Let me know in the comments 🙂
All the best for whatever you choose to do in 2019.
Deb xx
Linking up with Denyse #Lifethisweek – Word, Intention or Nothing
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I’d not come across the idea of WOTY until today – and now yours is the third post I’ve seen about it. I’m not sure it would work for me – I’m not capable of such deep insight into myself! – but I’ll take your advice and try not to make it wanky 😂
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Good idea Clive, my husband thinks it’s all a bit wanky but I enjoy the thoughtful start to the year it gives me. Your comment made me chuckle! I can think of lots of songs about time that I could have added to my post, now that I’ve finished it, Time after time, comes to mind.
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If it works for you, who am I to judge! Funny you should say that about ‘time’ songs: I share a #SongOfTheDay on the Facebook page for my blog, and today’s was Time Of The Season, by the Zombies. Great minds, eh? 😉
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Interesting I was just thinking about that J.R.R. Tolkein quote the other day.
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It’s certainly a great quote!
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interesting post, I need more time.. to much multitasking and rarely time for me to just sit with a book.. I need to make more of an effort to make time…
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Yes it gets like that doesn’t it? I find I have to timetable things out these days!
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Ha ha, it’s then finding the time to time table..
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Really like the idea of a WOTY and Time is a great word. Relates to absolutely everything and there are so many great quotes you can use. Love George Harrisons quote, spot on and so true. You made me laugh when you used the word wanky though, perhaps that should be next years word?
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Thanks for your comment, I love the George Harrison one too! I think our meaning of the word is the same just more acceptable in its use here 🙂 Glad it made you laugh!
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I can slow down time by being in the moment. Being bored helps too. LOL!
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That’s very true Susie. I’m starting by rationing my time online to see if that helps get back more time 🙂
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What a great idea, word of the year!! Time flies by, so I think you’ve chosen a smart word!! Happy New Year!
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Thanks Michelle, I’m sure we can all relate to time flying by, especially as we are all getting older! All the best for 2019 🙂
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Thanks, Debbie!!! You too!!
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I’m thinking that the word ‘wanky’ means something quite different over there to what it means over here in the UK! I’ll leave you to google it …
I think time is a great word to choose, I am conscious of the fact that now I am retired and supposedly have more time, I feel guilty about not using it wisely, I must try and remember that time spent on myself is no less worthy than time spent doing things for others!
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You sound just like me Debs, more time in retirement – what a joke!!!! Using it wisely is the key or maybe just wasting it can be good sometimes too – there’s got to be balance. No, the word has the same meaning here 🙂
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Hi, Deb – ‘Time’ is an awesome choice for your WOTY. I love the different variations that you have listed for this goal, especially ‘losing the guilt in time passing’ and ‘limiting time on social media’. I look forward to following your thoughts and experiences in this area.
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Many thanks Donna, it does cover a multitude of areas so I’m hoping I can learn the secret of harnessing it for my own good 🙂
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Hi Deb, I love your word and will be enjoying your journey. I too want to make my TIME more effective. The limiting time on Social Media is one that I think I would benefit from. It can be so liberating and there is such a big world out there. Maybe I need to include TIME in my words 🙂 I get pulled in many directions, mainly from my own doing, but I need to be able to stop and enjoy the TIME NOW. Thankyou as always for your words of wisdom. Take care and sending hugs. xx
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You have enough words Sue! And time can be incorporated into them very easily 🙂 . I get the whole being pulled in many directions thing ver well and am hoping to limit that during the year. Not sure how just yet though if I’m honest! Take care xx
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Hi Deb thank you for sharing at #MLSTL and I hope that you are starting to find more time during the first few weeks of the New Year. I’m yet to achieve this but I am definitely working on it and your posts will give me the motivation and inspiration I need. I’m going to have a little lie down now and read a book for a while. x
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Hello, my word for 2019. is d r e a m. And yes, you did choose your word very well, especially with the time for myself on the first place. That’s it. I wont to dream this year, all of us to follow their dreams and make them come true. Happy New Year
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Best of luck for your WOTY and enjoy 2019!
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Thank you, greetings from the heart!
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A great WOTY. Time – where does it go. My New Years resolution was to delete a time wasting game from my IPad, which I’ve done. I was wasting over 2 hours a day on that silly game, and sometimes up to four hours a day, including getting up in the middle of the night to play it. What a time waster it was. I’m now finding more time, and getting my life back.
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Good for you deleting the game and getting some TIME back! I’ve deliberately not gone down that road of playing games, my blogging uses enough online time! It’s scary sometimes when we realise how much time we’re spending online isn’t it?
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Sure is.
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I love your word Deb and think it’s a great choice to make the most of our time. Seems to pass too quickly doesn’t it and often we waste it. I like the idea of limiting time on social media too.
Love all the quotes you included especially the Tolkien one. Have a fabulous week Deb. xx
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Thanks Miriam, it sure does pass by quickly! Yes the Tolkien quote is so relevant, especially these days. Take care and enjoy the week ahead.
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You too!
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Hi Deb,
Love your choice of TIME…just read about Sue and Miriam’s choices for their WOTY…as I said to Miriam, I feel like I came late to this party. Did not know of this practice, but it is a good one! While I don’t think I will post about it, at least not yet, I think my word should be CHOICE. All of life is presented to us as a choice…including happiness. I want to make good choices for me in this first full year of my retirement.
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Thanks Nancy! Choice is a great word, we all have so many choices and your first full year of retirement will be full of new experiences for you! Enjoy x
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And, I saw this post again in MLSTL…have shared it to my FB
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🙂
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Great choice of word, Debbie! I told another blogger yesterday that I think my word will have to be positivity…..for so many reasons! I have nominated you for the Versatile blogger award and shared one of your posts on my regular “Monday Magic” feature – find details for the award here: https://painpalsblog.com/2019/01/06/old-year-new-year-and-being-a-versatile-blogger/. It would be lovely if you join in, but don’t feel you have to – either is cool! Claire x
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Thanks Claire! I like positivity too as it works on so many levels. I seem to like my WOTY to cover more than just one area, I expect a lot!!
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You’ve chosen a wonderful and precious word, Debbie. I look forward to following your thoughts and experiences with Time this year. I don’t have a WOTY for myself. I have goals that I hope by achieving them, I’ve made the best of my time. Happy 2019!
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Thanks Natalie, I loved reading your goals for 2019 and I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve them all!
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Excellent choice of word for 2019. I think we should all think more about our time how we spend it how we use it how we save it.
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I agree Rachael, it passes by so quickly!
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My word for 2019 is commit. I also made intentions for 2019 and breaking them down into achievable bites.
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Great word for the year!
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I think it’s a fabulous word – and very apt for now…ie not at all wanky. This will be the first year in a number of years where I’m not doing a WOTY – it just didn’t seem right this year.
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That’s fine Jo, it’s something that can’t be forced! I found time just kept appearing and I couldn’t ignore it!
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Great word! Mine is FIFTY. Its all about fifty. Come on over and add to my list. FIFTY! That’s my word of the year.
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I’ve been over and added some ideas!
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Time is certainly something I’d like more of. My commute kills my soul a little each day! I’m used to it – I enjoy listening to podcasts on it… but I also feel like I’ve spent too much of my life doing it.
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I hear you! take it easy and try to enjoy the time in any way you can. 🙂
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Time is a good word especially in a day and age where we complain about being busy so often! I also like how you’ve broken down time into all the different aspects. Hope 2019 is fab!
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I agree with you, we seem to complain about being busy but are we really?? I’m working hard on my time management skills. All the best for 2019!
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I think it’s a great word and I love that Dr Seuss quote. I don’t think WOTY is wanky but I don’t think it works for me as I have commitment issues and change my mind every 5 minutes! I hope 2019 is full of good times!
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I can see how that may be a problem! Yes I love nearly all Dr Seuss quotes, they seem to have a childish simplicity but make sense as adults as well.
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Deb
Excellent choice of word and I like where you’ve gone in exploring it as your word for 2019.
I will be challenging my use of time this year as I increase my work hours and try to juggle the rest of my life with a few less hours each week. It will be worth it though.
SSG xxx
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Thanks for your visit and comment! I wish you well with your increased work hours and the subsequent juggling. Glad to hear it will be worth it!
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“The years fly by, the days fly by and before we know it we have lost so much precious time with not much to show for it.”
So very true! Excellent post with good thoughts about time – and how quickly it flies.
Loved the Dr. Seuss quote!
GREAT word you chose for 2019!
Sharing for MLSTL
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Thanks Trisha, I enjoyed writing it too!
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Hi Debbie! What a great word! We all spend too much time either doing what we don’t want to do, or not doing what we should do, so your points are worth holding onto. Let’s hope we can make it work in 2019 🙂 Cheryl
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Lovely to have you stop by and comment Cheryl! I agree, time is a very precious commodity and I’m hoping to make it work for me in 2019.
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Such a great word…and I see another blogger has chosen it too as part of her contribution to the link-up. Loved your explanation and what a good word it is! Let us know how “TIME” treats you!!
Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 2/51. Next week’s optional prompt is Best Gift Ever 21.1.19. Denyse
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Thanks Denyse, I’m enjoying my time so far 🙂
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Hi Deb, your word sound like it’s perfect for you. Especially when I read the areas in your life where time applies. As for choosing a word of the year . I usually give it thought and if nothing comes I don’t bother. , to me it has to be authentic and appropriate to what’s happening in my world. #MLSTL
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Thanks Jennifer, it is perfect for me and I’ve just realised that most of my posts this year have related to time 🙂
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It’s a great choice of word Deb – it encompasses so much – and you’re right about how important it’s becoming to manage our time well. We have plenty of it but we need to invest it in the right places rather than letting it just dribble away into nothing. I’ll be interested to see you build on your word during the year.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
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I agree Leanne, and it’s funny most of my posts written so far this year relate to time somehow! Total coincidence or what? Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Debbie, I was just thinking about time a few minutes before I read your post. I love the quote from George Harrison it really touched home for where I am in my life right now.
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I think it’s a very appropriate quote too and am happy to hear you’ve had time on your mind too. We all seem to need more time in our lives.
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I love your choice for your WOTY, and I like what you said about a word choice being less restricting and less punishing than a resolution. I chose a couple of things to work on and by writing them down I think I’ll be able to stick with them. Always a pleasure reading your posts, Deb.
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Thanks so much for your comment Christina, it’s always a pleasure to have you drop by! I think the word time is a good fit for me as it keeps popping up in everything I do lately 🙂 . Isn’t it funny how things like that happen? I’m glad you have also jotted down a few things to focus on in the year ahead, I’m a fan of writing things down as it seems to cement it into my brain more!
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