2012: Simplify - I could not have picked a better year for this theme. I had just returned from several months living in India with an excessive amount of stuff. Literally (and embarrassingly) two 75 pound bags and a 50 pound bag. Too much. It all worked out in the end but made my life so much more stressful. At the beginning of 2012, I was moving to Africa for four months. I packed only the bare minimum into my bags, set a strict budget, rationed my American food, and diligently tracked calories and fitness in my fitness pal. My life changed dramatically during my time in Mali - not just due to the things I mentioned above, it was also the incredible people I spent my time with and humbling circumstances. What better way to learn to simplify than from the people of Africa? I came home, cleaned out of all of my stuff I didn't need and moved forward. I got my first job and saved money. My life felt so much lighter. I feel relief just writing this.
2013: Self-Love - This year I learned to embrace both body and mind. I learned to better love my personality, my spirit, my body, my perspective. This was so much harder than I could have imagined but as I learned to accept myself with Rheumatoid Arthritis and love the crazy, stubborn, busy Liz, it made life a little easier.
2014: Enough - I learned to stop comparing myself {still learning} and love who I am today. I read a lot of Brene Brown and did a lot of meditation. I figured out my limits and learned to say no.
2015: Thrive - I struggled this year. I do not feel that I truly lived up to my "one word" but it did help me to stay focused on certain goals throughout the year as I made decisions on how to use my time. I did receive a promotion at work and we purchased our first home so I think I thrived this year, just in different ways than I expected.
Now for 2016. It has taken me weeks to decide on this year's word (obviously since it is now the last week of January). But here it is:
Read the Optimist Creed for yourself and see.