And my new Word of the Year is…
The quote that first drew me in
Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be EMPOWERED.”
~Michelle Obama
The next time the word showed up
I received an email from Tiny Buddha, a blog I follow, recommending this journal:
Are You on the Right Track? A 101-day Guided Journal From the Universe is that simple, guided solution. It gently nudges us in the right direction by allowing us to uncover and get to the root of our limiting beliefs. Only then can we take back our power, heal, and ultimately live an authentic, purposeful life.
Are You on the Right Track? encourages you to release past programming and push past personal confinements so you can live an extraordinary, EMPOWERED life.
At first I skipped over it, thinking I’m not really looking for an “extraordinary” life at this point, and I don’t necessarily have a lot of healing to do. But then that word EMPOWERED sucked me in again…and I have actually been looking for some journal prompts…and who doesn’t want an authentic, purposeful life?
The more I thought about it
For some reason, the word EMPOWERED continued to resonate with me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized EMPOWERED is exactly how I want to feel. Whether that means I do something big or just more of the little things that bring me joy. I want to feel EMPOWERED…confident that I am asserting myself to make intentional, motivated decisions.
What is self-empowerment?
For me, self-empowerment means being confident in my ability to make and execute positive decisions…to take charge of my own destiny…to know and trust myself…to value my own feelings as much as the feelings of others.
Perhaps it would be helpful to look at the opposite of self-empowerment. Disempowered is being dependent on other people to meet your needs or to determine the way you feel about yourself, or making the way others feel and what they need more of a priority than your own needs and feelings.
What does EMPOWERED look like as a Word of the Year?
I started with the basics: researching what the experts have to say on the subject, creating a new daily affirmation, and selecting some motivational quotes.
I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.”
~Emma Stone
You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
~A.A. Milne
Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do good and great things.”
~Gordon B. Hinckley
Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.”
~Robert Allen
Over the coming months, I will periodically share with you some other specifics of what I am doing to cultivate self-empowerment. I am also open to suggestions. I would love to hear what you have done to feel more EMPOWERED.
Your turn
- Do you have any suggestions for cultivating self-empowerment?
- Do you believe in the power of repeating positive affirmations?
- What else is on your mind?
Hi Christie – well this is an interesting choice for your second WOTY! I’ll be interested to see how you put it into action. I’m not feeling particularly empowered atm – I actually feel a little weary and ready for a change of direction. Maybe as I follow along with you I’ll be inspired and get a bit more of my mojo back. It’s funny how we go in cycles through life – highs, lows, and in-betweens…..but we can be intentional in each of those phases so that we continue to grow and learn more about ourselves.
Yes, Leanne, life certainly does go in cycles. When I first heard the word empowered, I thought of bold actions, but then it occurred to me that being empowered isn’t so much about the size of your feats, but more about knowing how you feel and what you want and then trusting yourself to make intentional decisions, whether large or small, and act on them. So the first step to empowerment is really being mindful and aware of how you are feeling. That’s my current focus. From what you’ve shared, you are aware of your feelings, so you are well on your way to being empowered, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. Take care. Sending hugs.
Wow. (Did you write this for me? Haha!) Some very good food for thought. Love you sis. 🩵
I promise I wrote it for me, but I admit I thought of you several times as I was writing it. I love you too!
That’s a great word Christie, empowered has lots of uses and different meanings. I love that quote from Michelle Obama, it says it all perfectly! All the best 🙂
Thank you, Debbie. It feels right for me in this time and place.
When I saw your post I thought, how awesome is this. And choosing a new word is EMPOWERING too. I love Michelle’s words and am currently listening to her second book after listening to her memoir. I am really interested in self empowerment because I know I can still depend on others’ opinions but I know I am getting much better at judging my behaviours etc for myself. It is about awareness first of all isn’t it?
I’m a bit late to commenting this week…oops. Thank you so much for joining in Wednesday’s Words and Pics. I hope you are here again soon. Denyse.
Thanks, Denyse. I hadn’t thought about it, but I do believe choosing a new word when I felt ready for it, rather than relying on the calendar, is empowering. As I follow your journey on your blog, I see the steps you are taking towards self-empowerment, and it is inspiring. I read Michelle’s memoir, but I haven’t yet read her second book. I definitely will though.
Lovely word, especially in how you’ve crafted it to fit your new retired life. It’s so often perceived as a high energy, big hitter kinda word, whereas it needn’t be. So I’m going to enjoy seeing how you use it. I really loved hearing how it called to you 🙂
Thank you, Debs. I first pushed back against my perceived interpretation of “Empowered,” but once I thought it through, and did a little preliminary research, I changed my mind. I realized self-empowerment is exactly what I am working towards.
I am looking forward to how you spin it in the upcoming months. I am sure you’ll inspire me (and others) with bringing it into action!
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Pat!
Do you have any suggestions for cultivating self-empowerment? My advice is kind of obvious but listen to yourself first, other people next.
Do you believe in the power of repeating positive affirmations? Yes! Positive is as positive does.
What else is on your mind? I didn’t pick a word for the year and I like that you’ve allowed yourself to change yours. Maybe I’ll change my mind and adopt one yet.
Excellent advice, Ally. Self-empowerment is all about trusting yourself and acting on that trust. This is the first time I’ve switched words mid-year, but that in itself felt empowering!
What a great choice for your WOTY – I can’t wait to see you put it into action!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sammie!