I’ve been thinking deeply on what my word of the year is for 2016. While I toyed with ‘consolidate’, I settled on ‘simplify’ because for me it includes consolidating.
My Word For 2016 Is Simplify
This year I plan to reduce my online activity. For a start, I’m shelving Write Tribe for the month of January and will see how it goes. In time, I might shed Write Tribe altogether. But it’s all up in the air at the moment.
I will continue to do the #MondayMusings posts and the Write Your Heart Out posts on Everyday Gyaan. I’ve also signed off from the monthly Gratitude Circle posts. I’ll be back with the Sunday newsletter with effect from 3 January. I’m grateful to have connected with some fantastic bloggers in 2015, and I will be consolidating my connections with them, rather than attempting to read and comment on a lot of blogs. Most of all I will not be taking part in any blogging challenges this year. (I hear my husband sigh in relief!)
Our life is already rather simple and we’ve been quite good eating more home-cooked food, having dinner early and getting to bed by 10 pm. What has helped is that we now have a little puppy to wake us up, so that means both of us have to set off for an early morning and evening walk with a dog apiece! Making sure two dogs are fed, watered, walked and cleaned up after sure keeps one grounded! That in addition to housework is a way to stay simple.
I hope to focus more on my hobbies in 2016 – knitting and playing with colors – and that too naturally calls for more time offline.
We’ve already planned a holiday in April to a favourite location and that’s something I’m really looking forward to.
Most of all I want to spend more time with Me. Simply being and being simple is what 2016 is going to be about.
I came across this last week and knew I must share it with you:
all of all
love of all love, peace of all peace, depth of depth
so often, in the midst of all we do,
as we are washing dishes… sending email… going to work… and doing all the things we do
day in and day out,
we can forget that our time here on this earth is both a gift and a miracle.
do not let us forget.
because sooner than we think, a tomorrow will come
and it will be our last tomorrow and
we will have missed the miracle.
we will have emailed, and worked, and complained, and watched tv through the miracle.
we will have let the sunrises, the fresh air, the warmth of a bed, the taste of our orange juice, the first snows, and the cricket
chirping slip by as we go about doing all of our so important things.
we will have let our pain and struggles and our tasks and achievements and our accumulation of things obscure the
enchantment and richness that can be life.
love of all love, peace of peace, depth of depth –
let us find the holy in all that makes up our life.
let us slow down.
stop doing.
and learn to simply be.
may we find the holy in our coffee, in the spider whose lovely eight legs carry her effortlessly over her web, in the kiss goodnight, in the hot meal, fuzzy blanket, and in the chill of the dark night air.
may we be seekers and makers of the holy.
amen and blessed be.
Elizabeth’s Little Blog
Do you have a word for 2016? Do share.
PS: Laurel Regan has created ‘My Word Of The Year Linkup‘. Take a look at her post and those of other bloggers who’ve linked in.
Simplify – it’s a good word. I picked Determination, but if I wanted two words, “simplify” would be the other. I’ll miss the Write Tribe group if you discontinue it. It has introduced me to some interesting bloggers from different cultures. I’ve enjoyed the experience.
Alana recently posted..Determination in Action
Sounds like a great plan for the year, Corinne – simplifying is something we could all stand to do at times. All the very best in 2016!
the piece that you have shared is so true.. we forget to experience the miracle that life is.. 🙂 may you have success in simplifying life in 2016.. 🙂 happy new year
Simplify IS a good word. Unneccesary complications and add ons do make life so tough. I like it that you plan to unclutter your activities and give more time to things that give you peace and happiness. Nothing like dabbling in some art form to soothe and nourish the heart and mind. Wish you a Simply wonderful year ahead!
Great post – sometimes life call out to us to simplify the things around us.
Yes, it does! Thank you.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Giving Candy To Strangers – Review & Giveaway
Happy 2016 Corinne!!
My aim is to reduce my online time too but increase my blogging frequency.
I think my word or better still, phrase will be – peace-of-mind for 2016.
Big hugs 🙂
Happy New Year Corinne. I also need to figure out more qualitative blogging ways not quantity. I’ll be sad if write tribe is shelved, though.
Love your mind set and your word and, of course, the quote. All of which I completely agree with and love.
Happy New Year Corinne.
Hi Corrine, this is probably the most practical and sensible new year post I’ve read. Good for you for spending more time off line. That’s something I really try to do each week (doing creative work off line). Otherwise, how can we enjoy all those tiny miracles? Happy New Year 2016!
lisa thomson-The Great Escape… recently posted..Ready, Set, GO 2016
I’ve been limiting my online time and loving the extra time I’ve claimed back to do some more creative work. I love your word. Being simple makes life a whole lot easier. Will look forward to seeing how your word unfolds in the year. Wishing you an awesome 2016.
Suzy recently posted..#woty My Word for 2016 is Creative
I’ve just read your post and I can see that your time offline is bearing fruit, Suzy. I hope to have something creative to show for mine as well.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..The Sacred Disease
Spending less time online seems to be a trend. I’ve already started cutting back. I changed one little thing – jumping up and checking FB before my eyes were even fully open – and that has made all the difference.. Your posts and time and words of wisdom are a treat right now, soon they will become a delicacy we will all savor when we are allowed to be a part of all that is wonderful, wonderful you Corinne.
Yes, Karen. I guess the excitement of the online world is finally wearing off and we’re become a bit weary. Thank you for sharing.
And as always, thank you for your love and encouragement. Love ya!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..The Sacred Disease
Ah, that is great word that I need to remind myself of often. I took a break from social media for a month in the fall and it was FANTASTIC. Best of luck for the new year!
Jessica Sanders-Parmer recently posted..Menu Plan Monday: How I Plan My Weekly Menu