My quest to find (and share) my One Little Word for 2018 has led me back to my blog.  I took a vacation from writing  – unintentionally.  I’m not really sure what happened.  Perhaps life just got in the way.  “Adulting?”  Having too much on my plate?  Not making writing a priority?  Who knows exactly what it was that caused me to go astray, but my writerly life hasn’t been all too writerly.  And, I have to be honest, I really do miss it.  So here I am, back in the saddle!

2017 was the first year I chose One Little Word for myself (and with my first graders).  My OLW for 2017 was Breathe.  It was the perfect word for me at the time when I was having some difficulties with my daughter at home.  Self-regulating emotions was a challenge (still is some days) and I was reminding myself quite often to just breathe.  But, to be quite honest, the word never really felt like “the one.”  Sure it was a good reminder in stressful situations, but I chose the first word that popped into my head, rather than try some others on before settling in.  An impulsive word chooser!

So this year, I’m building upon what I learned last year and am trying to be a bit thoughtful with my word choice.  Last night, when I was feeling the back to school anxiety, I jotted down this list of possibilities in my notebook.

After I brainstormed this list, I read it over, and thought to myself “All of these words are amazing words, aren’t they?  Great –  now how in the world am I going to pick just one?”  And then it just hit me – Prioritize.  This is not a strength of mine.  I think I can do everything, and I want to do everything.  I end up jumping from task to task,  and then get overwhelmed and stressed with all the “stuff.”  It’s time I start learning to prioritize all of my “stuff.”  I think it will lead to more joy, peace, and relaxation!  So, my 2018 OLW is prioritize.  Have you thought about picking OLW for 2018?

Check out Ali Edward’s page to read more about One Little Word as well as other OLW posts on the Two Writing Teachers blog.

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