My word of the year
In January 2021, I scrolled upon a fun Instagram post by the artist and poet Morgan Harper Nichols. She created a video showing 100 flashing words with the instructions "Just for fun: Take a screenshot whenever you’re ready for your word of the year!”
Words included ‘versatility’, ‘curiosity’, and simply ‘yes’.
Alongside the words, Morgan curated definitions from different dictionaries. Isn’t that a lovely idea? I got ‘courage'. Twice, in fact, since I tried it for a second time too. Was that fate? Haha. Mine read: Courage is the quality shown by someone who decides to do something difficult or dangerous, even though they may be afraid.
In many ways, 2021 turned out to be a somewhat courageous year for me, culminating in me leaving a new job I instantly knew wasn’t right for me, and jumping into life as a full-time freelancer. The past 12 months were also peppered with smaller moments of courage, like making that doctor’s appointment I had been putting off, and answering phone calls from unknown numbers.
The other day, while in the depths of my notes app, I found the first few paragraphs of this article, which I began writing in August. Although I never finished it, some of this past year’s ‘courage’ gave me the little push I needed to continue writing it now. So for 2022, I’ve chosen the word ‘Do’. I hope it will be a simple reminder to stop thinking so much, and instead, start doing – a considerable challenge for a self-confessed overthinker.
Part of the joy of a ‘word of the year’, though, is its fluidity. The word can take on any meaning you fancy, it’s more low-key than a New Year’s resolution (although I like those, too), and with that comes less pressure. It just quietly guides you through an entire 52 weeks.
I’m naturally a sucker for fresh starts: celebrating a new year; writing in the first pages of a blank notebook; and is there a better feeling than climbing into crisp, clean bedsheets? So today, the day before my 28th birthday no less, seemed like a good time to click publish.
If you’ve read this, thanks for stopping by. It’s lovely to have you here, and please comment any time.
Did you pick a word of the year? I’d love to hear it.
Hannah x
