My Unconventional Word of the Year for 2022

New years always prompt goal setting sessions, big brainstorms, tons of sticky notes, journaling, and business planning. Am I right or am I right?! But before we can get to all of those sparkly goals and shiny numbers for 2022, we have to set an intention.

This year, my word is a bit unconventional. I’ll share what it is in a minute but first, I want to let you in on some cool things that have been happening behind the scenes!Firstly, I slept until eight o’clock this morning. If you’re a parent to little kids, you know how much of a miracle this is! While I’m taking the rest of this week off, Justin and I decided to drop the kids at daycare for part of today so we can get some much needed work done (ie pick up all the toys and wrapping paper remnants).

When I sat down on my couch with a hot cup of coffee in hand, I opened my journal to document some thoughts and memories from the holiday weekend.I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. God has been doing some incredible things in our family and I had to stop and praise him for all that he’s doing!

There are some things that I simply don’t share on social media, in my emails, or on this blog. It’s not because I want to give off a false impression that my world is perfect, but more because I want to protect my heart and remember to rely on the Lord first.

There’s a saying out there that goes, “Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it?”

It still hits me right in the gut. Oftentimes the answer is no.

Over the last several months, I’ve really been trying to pray over our challenges first. Of course I still seek guidance and encouragement from a trusted few in my world, but I’m really trying to listen to what God is saying and open my eyes to what he wants to show me. Can I tell you that God has shown up in a HUGE way?! Not just in “granting” my prayers, but in changing my heart and posture along the way. He is carrying me through the storm, showing me his strength, goodness, patience, grace, and love along the way. What a mighty God I serve!

So as I sat down at my desk today to journal about this upcoming year, I was prompted to resist the urge to skip straight to numbers but instead, reflect on how I want to feel and experience. This process really helped me get grounded so I can then translate that intention to my personal and business goals.

Here are some questions to reflect on as you set your goals for the New Year.

1. What do I need to let go of to be able to have more peace and joy?
2. How am I spending my time? How do these things make me feel?
3. Who can I be a blessing to this year?
4. What do I want this next year to look like?

As I journaled, I found that things I need to move around or let go of include comparison, doubt, and worry. Of course this is easier said than done, so I also made a game plan of what to do when I’m experiencing those things. I’ll surrender, pray, journal out the negative, and replace it with truth from scripture, friends, music, etc.Other realizations that came from this time was that I want to be even more intentional with my family, my marriage, my friendships, my business, and my faith. You may feel this way too and then think, “How can I do it all? I’m always so busy, right?” Friends, it comes down to your priorities, mindset, and perspective.

So what’s my big word for 2022?

Room.

More room for Jesus.More room for joy, truth, and peace.More room for family and my husband.More room for abundance, blessings, money, confidence, and dreams.And more roof for others’ success, too.I am striving to make room for all of these things which means that there isn’t room for fear, doubt, comparison, or failure.

Don’t forget to save these questions to set your intention for this next year!

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