Happy 2019, my sweet friends! I apologize for my few week hiatus from writing blog posts – I was soaking in the holiday time with family and enjoying a few week break off of class. Everything kicks back in next week so I’m getting back in to my work routines and preparing for my last semester of grad school as well so it’s time to get back on track 🙂
I don’t tend to be someone who makes really specific New Year’s resolutions but last year for the first time I decided on a word for the year and what the meaning behind that word and focus meant for me. 2018 was “the year of calm” and you can read all about that in this post linked here. I found that my focus on rest and calm in 2018 brought me a lot of good lessons and I do feel I made a lot of positive strides throughout the year. There is still much more to be done but I feel happy with my progress and looking forward to continuing to prioritize rest in the coming year, especially once my final semester of school is complete.
When sitting down to think about my word for this year I had a lot of thoughts. One thing I discussed quite a bit with one of my best friends was “boundaries”. Up until a couple of nights ago I was certain that was going to be my focus for the year but as I was continuing to brainstorm on my couch the other night it just hit me all of the sudden: bold. Bold is what I want to focus on this year and I wanted to explain my thought process behind what that means to me and my thoughts for the coming 12 months.
As soon as the word entered my mind I began doing some searching on quotes about boldness and the definition of the word bold. Bold be defined in two ways:
- (of a person, action, or idea) – showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous
- (or a color or design) – having a strong or vivid appearance
As I read these two definitions it became even more clear to me that this is exactly where I want my focus to be this year. Those that have followed along with me for awhile (especially on Instagram) know my love for color and how much I like to incorporate it into my daily wardrobe and in the decor in my townhouse. When I read the definition of bold surrounding color or design I look at it through the lens of personal appearance. I want this year to focus hard on having a strong and vivid personal appearance that incorporates the first part of the definition: confidence and courage.
Working on self-love and self-acceptance when it comes to my body image has really been strengthening these last couple of months and I want to continue on that path. I want to remind myself that I am bold and confident in my appearance just as it is now. That doesn’t mean I don’t embrace the continued changes and journey of becoming more healthy but it will also remind me that it’s OK to exude confidence in the state that my body is in now (and the state it will be at in April, and July, and October…)
The first part of the definition is one that will be the most difficult for me: “showing an ability to take risks”. Even though I am an extroverted and mostly confident person I find myself to be someone who tends to stay in a comfort zone, especially when it comes to certain areas of my life. I’m hoping this year to find that level of courage to take some risk in those areas where I’ve stayed closed in and comfortable for a long time. I don’t see myself turning into someone who takes risks freely and easily, but I know I have an opportunity to create more space for the unknown and be willing to give things a try that I have always counted out in the past.
I also want to focus on adopting bold in my professional life. As a younger female in the workforce I can often feel the subtle (or not so subtle) discounting of my ideas or abilities at work because of my age and experience level. I hope this year to work on comfortable pushing the envelope when it comes to my courage and confidence level at work when I’m met with resistance or find struggles when working with others.
When I was looking up the definition for bold I found some great quotes that really embody what I’m looking to accomplish this year as well
I chose “fortune favors the bold” to be my first quote of the year on the new wooden letter board I got for Christmas from my brother. I displayed it on my dining room table and hope to use that as a daily reminder of my word of the year. Throughout the year I will work to update it with new quotes that continue to keep me focused on my goal for the year.
I’m looking forward to another great year ahead on the blog and I’m so thankful to each of you that follow along with me. I hope you had a wonderful New Year and that you’re feeling refreshed and ready for what 2019 has in store for you. Cheers!
#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice
xoxo Jen
sugar, spice, and style that's nice 