One Word: Goodbye LOVE (2017), Hello FLOW (2018).

Hiiii Boldness Fam!!! We made it to 2018! Oh yeaaa…..

So we’re four weeks into 2018, and here I am writing a blog post with a title that mentions 2017; the nerve of me … I know! (Insert smirk)

CHEERS to Charliie’s TRUTH’s first blog post of 2018. I am so excited for what this year has the potential to be! This year has started off pretty busy for me and that has been bittersweet.

In the last blog post, I mentioned that I was resigning from my position as a Staff Attorney, however, before I could officially transition out of that position, I started a new role as a contract attorney. Currently, I am still in that role, temporarily, and it’s been keeping my schedule pretty FULL. From what I’ve seen on social media (when I get 60 good seconds to scroll through), I am not the only one starting the year off in full swing; there were tons of post mentioning, “a rush of healthy busyness” as 2018 started.

Anyhow… 2017 mention? Yes, let’s go there for a moment. A lot happened in 2017… but what I want to focus on is my ONE WORD. In 2017, my one word was LOVE and as 2017 begun, I had hoped that LOVE would become more than a word, but a habitual action. Typically, when I choose my one word, I’ll have a simple definition for it and then, the experiences of that year would help me to establish a deeper and more personal definition and understanding of the word. I have to be honest, I’m not sure why love was the word I choose in 2017.  I do know that, when it came to me, I choose not to reject it, but welcomed it and felt it was pretty fitting; we can all use a little more love.

I had grown so much in the years prior to 2017, so when LOVE became my ONE WORD— I was certainly ready for it; love was something I wanted to understand more and be an example of. So, I spent 2017 being intentional about Love—- not just in the word, but through my actions during conversations, interactions, decisions, and even confrontations.

To help stay committed to my one word, I wrote about LOVE everywhere and made quotes that I displayed in my home and workspace. Making LOVE the center of my life, changed my LIFE. Not only did it change me inside, but it changed how I interacted with people, which effected my spirit in a positive way, and changed how others interacted with me. It’s been life changing! So as 2017 came to an end and I thought about my One Word and reflected on what it meant and how it impacted my year, I also thought about all the changes I experienced in 2017. I thought about all the Love. I thought of all the challenges. I realized that the things I perceived in my life, to have been birthed, let go, and improved, happened through LOVE. I wanted to share 7 of my significant changes for 2017:

1. Launched Charliie’s TRUTH as a coaching and speaking business (I love our community);
2. Lost over 40 pounds (oh yea! Now the true challenge– keeping it off);
3. My true childhood dream came true, as I moved into my own apartment in New York City (this was my biggest dream as a child and with NY prices, I didn’t think it was possible HA!);
4. Reflected and accepted that FEAR is an illusion (this has allowed me to experience freedom in a new way);
5. I turned 30 and then, EVERYTHING in me SEEMED TO HAVE CHANGED!
6. Quit my job (the process of deciding to quit, ALONE, brought with it much GROWTH).
7. Learned about and started to develop inner peace and security (Life changer & a PROCESS!).

And with that— there is no doubt that 2017 came with me perceiving my experiences under an umbrella of highs or lows, however, there was SO MUCH GROWTH!!! SO much value! So much love! So much acceptance! AND so much to be grateful for! 

I am so thankful for everything that I gained in 2017 because I know that everything I gained and let go of, has prepared me for the unknown journey and experiences that will make up 2018. With everything I learned in 2017, and the way the year ended, I am ecstatic that MY ONE WORD for 2018 is FLOW.

Flow will allow me to build on everything else I had been working on in 2017.

As I mentioned earlier, I always start with a basic understanding of my one word and allow the experiences of that year to deepen and birth MY TRUTH. I wanted to share my current understanding (definition) of my one word, FLOW:

FLOW is allowing life to flow in and through me. I will not feel the need to defend or explain everything, specifically I will not explain who I am, my beliefs, or defend my point of view.

Flow is being mindful. Letting go of expectations and dealing with “what is.” It is choosing not to oppose things. Listening and deciding whether circumstances are worth an immediate response. It is allowing the time and space for my inner self to come up with an answer.

Flow is being mindful of my ego and managing it. It’s about doing less, in order to accomplish more. It’s not allowing emotions to linger, but processing those emotions and then letting things flow. It includes, dealing with what I can control and letting go of what I can’t.

Let’s be real, I have NO idea what the practice of “FLOW” will bring my way this year and honestly, I don’t believe it matters. So far, in 2018, I have started practicing stillness through meditation, taking more deep breathes, listening to Ted Talks and the likes, setting weekly intentions, and reminding myself to let go of the things that have nothing to do with me—which releases unnecessary stress, anxiety, and judgments (FLOWWWWWWW— Wink).

I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT MY ONE WORD. After reflecting on the impact of LOVE, I am hopeful for 2018’s One Word. I am planning to do my best with “FLOW”— with no expectations {{wink}}.

WITH all things being said, 2017 ended on a super high note, with a cliffhanger. Then, 2018 kind of picked up where 2017 left off, and gave me an awakening like never before.

So here we are, my official Hello to 2018!!! Everyday we are given another opportunity to make changes, take chances, and impact the world with our uniqueness. I am hoping that 2018 brings you great things and that you find the time to love a little more and find freedom within yourself.

Do you have One Word for 2018: What is your One Word?  What does it mean to you? Please comment below.

In righteousness & boldness,

xx

Charliie

Need to help staying committed to your One Word (or goals) for 2018? FIVE TIPS to stay committed:

1. BELIEVE.   Believe that your One Word will help shape and mold you into the person you are meant to be.
2. STAY DETERMINED. There will be set-backs along the way, stay determined to overcome them. Be resilient! You may even forget about your one word, but don’t give up… pick up where you left off! A commitment to your One Word is a commitment to yourself.
3. MAKE YOUR ONE WORD TANGIBLE. Write it out, or do whatever will help you stay reminded of your one word. You can make a sign near your apartment door, so that you see it as you leave the house; write the word on the bathroom mirror; or make post-its and index cards to hang in the spaces where you spend the majority of your time.
4. SET UP GOALS WITH YOUR WORD IN MIND. Remember, your ONE WORD is meant to guide your year; stay focused. Ask yourself: “will [goal] help me [one word] more? (or a similar question that would involve a support of your One Word).
5. ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS. Better yet, get your friends or your spouse involved in this. All you really would do here is tell someone your one word and why you chose it. Then they will do the same. Then you simply commit to one another by indicating that you are willing to keep each other on track. You can track each other’s progress by text, chat, snaps, IG— whatever is best.

** BONUS: If you keep a planner, write your word at the top of each monthly page in your physical planner. Or set an intention in your planner, with your One Word in mind.