I’m so blessed to be surrounded by inspirational people who have not only chosen their Word of The Year (WOTY) for 2023, but have also blogged about it so meaningfully. Lisa Burgess’ word is ‘human’. You can read her post here. Leanne Le Cras has chosen the phrase ‘ Live Lightly’. Her post is here. My word took a little while to be chosen this year. But I’m happy with it and the process I used to choose it.
But before we get to my word, here’s a look at my words since I started this practice in 2015.
My Word Of The Year For 2023
A couple of months ago, once again, inspired by Brené Brown’s writing , I thought that ‘wholehearted’ was going to be my word for 2023.
Then at the start of December, I was inspired to consider ‘breathe’ as my word.
It was only when I undertook the exercises from Susannah Conway’s ‘Find Your Word (2023) that two other words, apart from ‘breathe’, occurred to me – ‘nurture’ and ‘heal’.
The What Do I Need in 2023 Exercise
I began to answer these two questions:
- What I need more of in 2023?
- What do I need less of in 2023?
That’s when healing kept popping up. If I’m honest, I tried to fight the word. I’ve been working on my healing for year now and thought, I was done with healing! Apparently, not! I realize that healing is slow and sacred, and I must honour the process, no matter how long it takes.
I’ve also been ignoring my physical health a lot in the last year. 2023 is the year for me to focus on this.
Some events in the last few months of 2022 left me feeling very vulnerable and deeply hurt. When lies and treachery are used against us, for standing up for something that is right and legal, it can break one’s spirit. Despite the support and love I’ve received through this, and the resources I have at my disposal, it was a reminder of past hurts, especially the injustice of it all. Emotional healing, especially through writing, is what I need work on more deeply.
The Ideal Day Exercise
This very useful visualization exercise made me long to feel content, satisfied and healthy at the end of each day.
I found that besides focusing on my practices/rituals, I want to live each day by the 5 principles I identified last year.
Another area of healing I identified was my work. I’ve been putting off working with other people. I need to shut my inner critic up, get in touch with my true self – and start showing up and being big.
Looking Forward To The Process Of Healing
It took me a few days, but I’ve started owning ‘Heal’ and looking forward to the process.
As I did last year, I will be sharing monthly updates through this journey in 2023. If you’d like to receive these updates (with links to useful resources), please sign up using the form below.
I would love to hear what your Word for 2023 is. If you haven’t chosen one yet, it’s not too late.
Some useful resources:
To help with your WOTY :
You can download Susannah Conway’s ‘Find Your Word (2023) here.
You can also join Lisa Burgess’ One Word Community for next year by signing up here.
If you are wondering what to do with your Word of the Year once you have it narrowed down, do read Amy Weir’s post on this. There are some great ideas here.
To help with well-being :
Self-Compassion Practices to Deepen Your Resilience
A Mindfulness of Breathing Exercise
50 ways to practice self-care + free printable list
What a great choice there, Corinne! ‘Heal’ in a lot of ways resonates to even what I think I feel when I am thinking about the quality of my life. Here’s wishing you the best as you choose to work on yourself. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Love and hugs!
Parul Thakur recently posted..Things I learnt in 2022
Emotional healing is a wonderful process because healing the mind improves every aspect of life. Fear in mind creates problems. Forgiving these fears heals the mind, the body, finances, relationships….everything. Literally! Wise words here. Keep up the great blogging work.
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..Possible Sasquatch Activity Northern NJ
“Heal” is perfect and not just for you. The world needs healing in the worst way and one day, I fear, the human race will be no more due to continued self inflicted injuries.
Alana recently posted..No Place Like This Home for the Holidays
What a beautiful choice of word, Cory.
Healing is a constant process, and I bet even when the year ends you would have healed a bit and there may be parts that may still need healing. But staying true to this word during the course of our lives makes our journey one of more ease and peace.
I am still trying to zero down on the exact word and who knows it better than you. :))
I wish you health, healing and well being.
Natasha recently posted..12 Months of Balanced Flow | Word of the Year (WOTY) 2022
Hi Corinne – I really like your word and I think it resonates with what I’m trying to do with my “Live Lightly” approach for the year ahead. I think we all carry hurts and trauma within us, and taking the time to address those areas and to let go of the things we can’t change is a huge step. I really want 2023 to be a year of being gentle and kind to myself and I think that’s what you’re aiming for too.
BTW, “wholehearted” has been at the back of my mind ever since I used “cultivate” for my WOTY a while back – the two were synonmous and I think wholehearted has so much depth to it. Thanks for the shout out for my blog post and I look forward to journeying with you through another year. x
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au recently posted..LEARNING TO LIVE LIGHTLY IN THE YEAR AHEAD
My WOTY for 2022 was “heal”, so happy to see that you chose it for 2023. We all need to heal. Healing is a journey and not a destination. We all heal gradually, a little healing everyday. I will be so happy if we keep sharing notes on how we are healing. Happy 2023 and happy healing to you. Lots of love.
My word of the year is “centered.” I love all that it embodies.
After not having a WOTY for 10 years (!), one came to me this year — liberate. So that’s my word for 2023. Loved reading your history of words. Do you see an unfolding through those words? A thread? Or are they all unique stand alone?
You’ve chosen a very brave word. Choosing it alone is the beginning of the process.
Brené Brown has been my inspiration for words on more than one occasion too! I followed her book The Gifts of Imperfection for my word Welcome in 2016. This year for Human I am inspired by her book Atlas of the Heart.
I am very excited to follow along on your journey with Heal this year! I had a major loss near the end of 2021, so I spent 2022 walking through a healing process, but I’m not near finished. I’m so glad you participate with our One Word community, Corinne. You are such a treasure to me. I love your spirit and the words you share.
Your WOTY resonates with me, Corinne! I started my healing journey in 2021 and it’s still an ongoing process. So, that’s still on, but I’m really inspired by the way you’ve come up with your word. I guess I need to do this exercise and find out what my word is going to be.
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