I’ve got an exciting post for you today – a little 2017 inspiration plus a review of the The Nourished Planner!
Maybe you’re sick of seeing “new year, new you!” type stuff already but I’m still in limbo writing 2016 on everything so, if you feel me, hopefully today’s post inspires vs annoys! Wow I’m really setting the stage for myself…
Anyway, new years resolutions are great when they work, but I’ve never been able to stick to mine for more than a week or two. Excuses for not going to the gym quickly arise, salad cravings eventually stop, and somehow the wine always finds a way to flow once again.
Over the past couple of years I’ve seen people choose a “word of the year” – a term or phrase to inspire and live by – which I find much more appealing than setting well-intended yet unrealistic goals. It’d actually be cool to be constantly reminded of your word by printing it on a wrist band a la WWJD bands circa 1998, amiright?! ?
Words I’m seeing a lot across the blogosphere right now include:
- Intentional
- Motivated
- Spiritual
- Efficient
- Focused
- Driven
- Simplify
- Contentment
- Joyful
- Confidence
My word of the year for 2017 is “Nourish”, inspired by the planner I’m giving away at the bottom of this post. In 2017 I want to nourish myself, and my relationship with Ben, especially. I’m fully prepared to be intentional about nourishing by planning date nights, getting better at listening, taking time to exercise, reading, actually using massage gift certificates I’ve received, etc. In addition to choosing a word to be inspired by, I took things a step further by writing a “Gripe/Grateful” list to start the new year in a good headspace.
Writing a list of all the things you’re grateful for is a wonderful way to count your blessings, but an even better way to put your “problems” into perspective is to write some of them out then find a reason how or why that issue is actually being caused by something positive.
I’m not saying we can’t complain EVER, because let’s be real, but if you find yourself griping about the same things over and over and over again, find a way to spin them so you’re not constantly feeling miserable over a situation, person, or problem.
So, all that said, here’s the Gripe/Grateful list I wrote to kick off 2017. I’d love to hear what would be on your list!
2017 Gripe/Grateful List
- There are constantly crumbs on the floor = we have an abundance of food to eat.
- I’m stressed about work = I have a job I love.
- I’m tired = because 3am baby smiles and snuggles (<< THESE!)
- There are toys everywhere = memories are being made.
- The laundry is never ending = we have clothes to wear.
- My inbox is a black hole = it’s full of great opportunities.
- My pants don’t fit = my body grew a human.
- I have wrinkle lines = I have lots to smile about.
- Being a WAHM is really hard = I get to stay home with my children.
- We’re constantly busy = we have a rich and full life.
I don’t want it to seem like I’m always complaining about these 10 things, but if I think about life’s daily stressors – laundry, toy explosions, cleaning, etc – they’re all caused by things I’m actually grateful for, know what I mean? Anyway, just wanted to share this little exercise as I found it to be very eye opening. Also, full disclosure, I totally snagged this idea from a Real Housewife’s Instagram account. #noshameinmyBravogame
Ok, onto The Nourished Planner review!
So, two of my favorite blogging buddies, Alexa from Simple Roots Wellness and Heidi from Foodie Crush (who designed my ebook!) teamed up and poured their hearts and souls into a passion project two years in the making – The Nourished Planner!
Honestly, I’m a digital girl. I’ve got my Google calendar all color coded with appointments, events, to-dos, etc, so in the past while I’ve liked the idea of a planner, I hadn’t found it necessary to run my life. All that changed once I flipped open The Nourished Planner (speaking of flipping, the planner is spiral bound so it lays flat when opened. DETAILS!)
From Alexa and Heidi:
The Nourished Planner is a goal-setting guide, a daily, weekly and monthly calendar, a to-do list, and a meal planner all in one. It’s goal is to inspire you to create your best self, which can only come from one thing: Taking control of your time, your life and your health.
Yes, there’s a tab and calendar for each month to jot down notes and appointments, but there’s also so. much. more. Like lists of foods that are in season each month, 5 ingredient recipes, helpful tips, inspirational quotes, and places to write out personal and professional goals, shopping lists, and track daily fitness and nutrition.
My favorite part of the planner is the monthly challenges. For example, in January you’re challenged to create daily action plans to achieve your goals. February’s challenge is about setting a budget. June covers how you can step up your fitness game. If you want to better yourself in 2017, but aren’t sure where to start, this planner will inspire you. It’s not just about organizing your life, it’s about nourishing your mind, body, and soul. And I’m falling for it hook, line, and sinker!
Let there be peace in the world
accomplished
My word is fearless. I live with anxiety and have said no to so many things in the past year. This year, my goal is to turn this around and get back to the fun of life
Present
My word of the year is grit. I’ve got some really, really big goals set up for myself in 2017. It’s going to take digging deep and endurance to achieve them. Plus, I just like the way grit sounds so tough!
My word of the year is motivate. Let’s do this!
I have two words for this year: joy and balance. I’m really excited to focus on goals and actions throughout the year to emphasize those two words!
Focused: I have a wedding coming up in October, and I’d like to be focused on the planning, but also focused on my fiancé. I don’t want our relationship to suffer in the overwhelming job of throwing a wedding!!
My word of the year is “grateful.” I got in a bad car accident on my way to work on Tuesday and my car was totaled, but I walked away with just a few bruises and a lot of sore muscles.
I don’t usually do New Years resolutions, or even words, but I’ve been working on making the negatives into positives like you say in your post…I’ll say my word is “positive”!
My word this year is creative. Last year was a rough year and I want to bring that child like happiness back into my life!
Present and Loving
My focus this year is on our family. My husband and I have 2 little kids and it does take a toll some days but we are lucky and happy and need to focus on the 4 of us being the best we can.
I think my word of the year is gratitude – I want to better appreciate all of the things in my life.
My word is Joy!
positive
My word for the year is “Believe” – reminding me to believe in myself and know that I can do what I set my mind to
Organization
My word is “good.” I”m focusing on seeing the good around me on a daily basis!
Strength is my word of the year.
Intentional
I haven’t really set a word for the year, but I did set a few “intentions.” Going back and reading those, my word for the year would have to be “grace.” I want to strive less for “perfection” and more for the joy of every day moments. Happy New Year!
Trust
My word is kindness
My word is “grace”!
I would love a Nourish Planner to keep me focused and inspired throughout 2017!
My word is grateful
Gratitude! Gratitude for what I have and really appreciating all the small moments with my little ones since they won’t be little forever!
re-newed
Love the gripe/grateful list idea!
I haven’t chosen one, but I think nourish is a great one!
Minimalist!
(And I soooo agree…24/7 clutter is SO frustrating, but the fact that my healthy kids make said mess helps ya shake it off? My house’ll be clean in years and I’ll prob sit in the middle of my (clean) floor and cry???????
I’ve been toying with a few ideas for a word to guide my year but I think I’m settled on “thoughtful”. This is for relationships, health, budgeting and professional goals.
Excited-baby #2 is due on June!
FOCUS. Because I take my first round of medical boards and start on the wards this year, and I need to focus my energies in the right places to be successful!
My word with a newborn at home and job changes ahead is Be Present! I’m such a planner and always ahead of the game and having a newborn is teaching me to be in the moment and it’s ok if I end up in PJs all day!
My word is CREATE!
My word for the year is Confidence. I chose it because I tend to work on being “self-confident,” but that often leads me to feeling like a failure when I don’t measure up to the standards I’ve set for myself or that others have set for me. I’m choosing to focus on being confident in the Lord this year, acknowledging that I cannot live up to any standard, but that I receive confidence through his grace. I am choosing to find my identity, my value, my worth, and my confidence in Him.
My word is “intentional”. I want every moment of my life to be lived with intention – even the mundane moments, like waking up on a Tuesday for work. It’s the little things in life, and I don’t want to miss out on any of them!
Still deciding …but leaning toward “Open” – open to what the new year brings (already known changes in the future) and holding what is current/normal with open (vs. close-fisted) hands.
My word for this year is CONTENT (as in, having contentment about my life).
I love the look of this planner. My word for the year is focus!
I love this idea! My word of the year is Simplify (although it is really hard to choose just one!) I am hopeful that will shift as the year goes on-as I am simplifying my focus will naturally come to rest on other things – goals, relationships, etc. Love the planner!
My word of the year is “peace.”
My word of the year is active!
My word for the year is going to sound a bit weird but its full. I want my families life to be full of fun, excitement, experiences, but not full of stuff.
Driven!
My word of the year is driven!
My word of the year is “vulnerability” – having difficult conversations with loved ones, doing things even if they’re hard, being ok with my flaws, speaking to others about my shame. Through vulnerability we grow stronger and more wholehearted!
Peace