My Word for 2022

I have always considered myself to be an adventurous person. A risk-taker. While I can be a little all over the place, my word for 2021 was focus. After a year of focus, what I learned is that the word is a good fit for some things, and something I didn’t want to force for other things. 

It isn’t unusual for me to start off the year with lofty goals, often trying to map out a route to success, only to get disappointed when those plans don’t come to fruition. Don’t get me wrong, I think a plan is a great idea most of the time. Where it can go wrong, at least for me, is when things go off-plan and I can’t get myself to focus on the bigger picture. What else is happening? What other progress is occurring that is derailing the original plan? Maybe the new activity is better anyway, or at the very least, a pleasant detour. 

My word for 2022 is keeping that in mind. I think this is my 9th year doing this, and I’ve learned a thing or two in choosing words in that time. Don’t overthink it. The world that comes to you first is often the right one (or at least on the right track). Don’t second-guess yourself. Don’t over-explain it. But do spend some time thinking about what you can internalize and remind yourself of the word throughout the year, and what it might do to your spirits. 

My word for 2022, without further ado, is (drumroll, please)…

My Word for 2022: Explore 

I’m going into a year where I don’t have a totally clear path for school, my career or my future. However, there are things I’d like to do eventually: Travel, live somewhere else for a while, open a store, do more for my community. There aren’t specific times for many of the things I want to do. I’ve learned that I will fit things in that are a priority to me. It’s best to listen to myself and go with what feels right in the moment, enjoying the ride along the way. I’m at a point in my career where I can add more work when I need it, I can take a break when I need it, and I can afford to put myself through school. So I’m rewarding my years of hard work with some years of exploration. 

Where do things go from here? I have a few guesses about what 2022 has in store for me, but really, it’s more about the journey than the destination for me. Outside of setting a word for 2022, I am setting one goal, and that’s to share as much of the journey with you all as possible. I’m off to a good start. Here’s hoping the drive to explore will provide the momentum I need to continue.