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!
my word for this year is Strengthen – spiritually, physically, financially, obediently.
nooooooo … that was my word phrase (dramatic) ?
Well, my word was going to be intentional, but I might just change it to nourish – b/c I”m an individual like that. I love it! Our small group meets tomorrow to define our words for the year! Thanks and I’d love a copy of the planner!
My word of the year is focus. I want to focus on what is really important in my life. I want to focus on me and my family and my role at work.
I LOVE the gripe/grateful list idea. I’m going to try that tonight! Thanks for sharing!!!
Last year – GROW
This year – MINDFUL
My word of the year is “RESHAPE”. I want to RESHAPE a better me inside and out. To RESHAPE improve relationships with my husband, family and friends. RESHAPE my business to enhance my clients lives where great organic healthy food is medicine to their bodies.
My word is Growth. Easily applied to all aspects of your life. I love that it can be simple growth tasks or a larger goal.
Intentional
Opportunity – It’s a brand spanking new year to take on new challenges and change! :)
Self-care. I want to be the best version of myself so I can put more meaning into in my work, relationships and my body.
My word is “growth”- mainly with regard to spiritual growth and growth in relationships
Determination
Consistency…I’m real good about being focused for a week or so, but this year I want to grow that! Get consistent to see things through.
Rooted! In my new marriage and my new town.
Decisive
Peaceful
Relax! I struggle so much with that, and my health depends on my learning to intentionally relax every day.
Re-invent
I love the idea of turning a problem into a positive! My word this year is intentional. I want to be more intentional about relationships and goals in my life.
My phrase of the year is Letting go, I live with too much anxiety and really sweat the small stuff and i just want to let that all go!
I’m doing my usual January thing, which is to obsessively look online at various planners. Off to check out Nourished. My word or phrase for the year is “trust yourself,” which is always worthwhile for me.
Family
I love your positive outlook. Thanks for sharing your spin. My word of the year: CONTENT.
I love this post! Such a positive spin on those things that drive us mothers crazy most days!
my phrase of the year is “try and fail” – meaning… try new stuff and if it fails, try it again or try something else! don’t worry about failure, because the fact that you failed, means you’ve done something you’ve never done before!
kind
My word of the year is confidence.
My word is contentment!
My word of the year is: gratitude. Need to start paying attention more to everything I’m grateful for, similar to what you mentioned.
My word is Satisfied. I want to be satisfied with what I have, where I am going and how hard I try.
Grow! I am trying to grow in many areas of my life; motherhood, faith and health!
My word of the year is “tenacious.” This is the year I want to make a career change — and I’ve been wanting this for awhile but have felt stuck in a rut. So, this year, I’m not going to make a bunch of excuses for why I can’t do x, y, and z and just be tenacious about my goals!
My word for this year is HEALING. I had surgery in December 2015 for my Crohns Disease to get a permanent ileostomy which has been a hard recovery. Along with recovering from surgery I have a flare up of my Fibromyalgia and arthritis from the surgery. It’s been hard in 2016 to try and live a normal life, but I’m dedicated to healing in 2017!
I have two words this year – one for my professional world and one for my personal world. My professional word of the year is confidence – confidence in my actions, confidence in my opinions, etc. My personal word is patience – patience with my kids, patience with husband, patience with myself.
Balance
My word is BETTER!
Peace; both wishes for the world around me, and at home (2 toddlers & a teenager!)
I don’t have a word! I like the idea of a single word vs. New Year’s resolutions though. I’ll have to think about it!
Hope!
my word of the year will have to be: strength. my mom became suddenly ill before thanksgiving and while she is still in the ICU she is slowly gaining strength and as a family we are encouraged by her strength.
My word for 2017 is balance!
This sounds like an awesome planner!! Would love to win. Happy New Year!!
My word this year is simplify.
My word this year is PRESENT. Being present tends to be so hard at this time in my life, as I am constantly looking ahead and planning ahead and thinking of all the things I want to be different in the future. I am determined to BE in the present and enjoy what is a reality right NOW! <3
my word is mindful!
I think I’m a digital/planner girl… I always keep a digital to-do list, but still use my planner for scheduling. This planner looks amazing though.
My word is hippie. Lol. I feel like we focus so much on our individual problems. I want to be humble. I want to listen. I want to empathize. I want to spread love and awereness of the beauty in our world and the beauty in our hearts. Every time I think of that I think, “Jeez, I am such a hippie.” Thus, my word for 2017. To be present not only in the life of my family but of my neighbors. My community. The beautiful city I live in.
My word of the year is brave.
My word for the year is BALANCE.