The gorgeous Maxabella Loves is having a link up today and it’s all about:
One word that sums up the year you plan to have in 2012
Now this may sound a little ‘negative’, but my one word for 2012 is going to be:
NO
Why? Because 2011 was all about me saying “YES”. Especially with regard to blogging.
In 2011 (among other commitments), I had four separate blogs (yes FOUR!) and was writing for two others. I took up every single opportunity that was presented to me – both blog and non-blog related. It was like I was a commitment addict – frantically saying ‘yes’ to everything that was offered just in case I might regret saying ‘no’ down the track.
Fast forward to now and I have a slightly better handle on just exactly what I want to spend my days doing. I am in the enviable position of being able to make good money doing things I love (like designing and writing) in the offline world. So I don’t need to go all crazy in this online world having four blogs and trying to get them to a level where I can monetise them. I don’t need to read every article about building a readership and writing e-books and having a newsletter and placement of “sign up now” buttons.
In 2012, blogging for me is going to be good, clean, no pressure FUN! I still want to inspire and motivate and share beautiful thoughts and images with people – but I am dropping the relentless schedule.
This is also what I hope for LIFE in 2012.
2010 and 2011 were pretty crap as far as years go but I have been working hard over the last few months to simplify my life and get my priorities straight. I reckon 2012 is going to kick a bit of ass so long as I hold true to the mantras below:
WISH ME LUCK!
Do you have any mantras or resolutions for 2012?
Can you sum them up in one word?!
I’ve been saying no a lot more this year, mostly because I was forced to due to my surgery and subsequent recovery.
I have actually really enjoyed it. It’s helped me to learn that no can be a good thing and to focus my time on those things that are more important. Less is more as they say.
My main word for this year is HUSTLE! We laid a lot of groundwork last year so this is the year to reap the rewards from that
Good luck!
Hustle!! I love it!! You guys have definitely done a lot of hard work this year – I can’t wait to see it pay off for you!
I think mine is Independence. I just want to get my husband’s health issues properly diagnosed, set up my business, to get excited about the postgraduate degree I found & think is perfect, and start to feel independent – of doctors, of menial jobs, of professional jobs that are on a constant contract basis constant fights for funding, of cash worries thanks to aforementioned issues.
2011 was a hard year but I’m determined to make 2012 much better.
Vanessa recently blogged: Sydney 2010 – Day 4
I love this Vanessa. What a great word and such an interesting concept. When you have independence – you totally take it for granted, when you don’t have it, you think you will never get it back. I hope 2012 is an awesome year for you!
considering the journey you have had, i think this words is very pertinent for you. very empowering to stand up and realise where your priorities need to be. well done xx
Thank you Brenda – that is so lovely of you!
Very pleased to have come across your blog. Couldn’t agree more. ‘No’ is a great word, not negative at all. I make the mistake all the time of taking too much on, thinking that more is more. But something’s got to give at some stage, and before you know it you’re feeling guilty for neglecting your family, or yourself. So maybe I’ll join you and make my word Less. Have really enjoyed reading some of your old posts this evening btw!
Vanessa recently blogged: Quietly reflecting
Thanks so much Vanessa … and doubly ‘thank you’ for stopping by and having a look around.
I REALLY like the idea of the word “less”. There’s HUGE potential in that word! My mind is racing!
Oh, that’s SUCH a good one, Kelley. I need to get BETTER at saying NO myself. Last year was a disaster in this area and I am still trying to get back on track after exhausting myself and generally causing chaos. Good luck to you all year! x
Maxabella recently blogged: Hello 2012: One word
Ha Bron – I confess when I saw your word was “Better” I thought “Oh my, how can you do better, your standards are already so high!”
I definitely look forward to seeing you say NO to yourself a bit better!! It’s bloody hard!!
I love that your word sounded negative to start with, but that as I read your explanation it totally made sense, and is amazingly positive! I think your mantras are brilliant and I think I might adopt some of them for myself
My word for 2012 is Joy.
Hope you have a wonderful, and less frantic 2012,
xx Sannah
sannah recently blogged: One Word
Thank you Sannah! I am heading over to your blog now to check out the explanation of your one word!
OK – I just tried to leave a comment, but Blogger wouldn’t let me for some reason!! Anyway … I think JOY is a wonderful word and the concept of a joyful life is well worth pursuing. Almost like taking inspiration from our kids!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
Perfect word! I am hoping to practice a little of this through out the year, too. But, it’s so hard, isn’t it! Especially when there’s so many opportunities out there. Good luck!
Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently blogged: Mental Mumma is Mental
No is definitely the hardest word in the world – especially when it makes you feel like you are letting others down. And especially when it makes you look like you are putting yourself first!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
So pleased to see this is your word Kelly – about time!!! I made a decision to say “NO” more a number of years ago – the best thing I ever did!
Cath@leafjournals recently blogged: 2012 Words of Wisdom
Ha! Thanks Cath – 2011 was definitely the year for overextending myself. It seems I can only learn the hard way!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
Seems you’ve learned! Congratulations on what must have been a really difficult decision. I am looking forward to following your blog more closely – more my scene and all that!!!
Take care xx
Cath@leafjournals recently blogged: 2012 Words of Wisdom
Ha ha – you were in my head Cath!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
I totally believe in No as a positive – it is saying no to some things in order to say yes to others! Love the graphic you created as well – beautiful!
Deb @ Home life simplified recently blogged: 2011 reflections filled with gratitude
Thank you Deb – it is my computer desktop now … I get a constant reminder all day!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
I love this Kelly. I’ve had a shit 10 years actually…. 10 years of saying Yes and bascially running myself into the ground – so much so that I ended up in private clinic for 4 weeks for a nervous breakdown! The four weeks of being unable to access internet or watch TV – well basically anything except time for reflection was truly an eye opening experience for me and I was given advice and counselling in accepting myself that it is perfectly okay to say NO. I’m now doing my best to focus on what I actually want in my life – not what everyone else wants. And while it still is somewhat of a battle, with having a Defence husband, whose career does heavily dominate and dictate our lives – I am doing what is best for me and look for what can benefit me in the situations that present themself!
I wish you all the best for 2012 and I wish me the best too!
Oh Deb – it is crazy isn’t it? People will think “how did she let this go on for 10 years” – but once something becomes “normal”, it really only takes a total breakdown to get out of it. That’s what happened for me last year too!
I wholeheartedly give the thumbs up to the last line of your comment!!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
Firstly, love the new look. I came to check it out last week and it was the same as usual. Perhaps it was that damn caching again?!?!? Anyway, your blog looks beautiful!
I would love to live a life less frantic. Is that even possible, even with just one blog?!? My one word this year is ‘purposeful’. If I can do everything with purpose then I feel like I’ll be making the most of the year.
Laney @ Crash Test Mummy recently blogged: Crash Log: Challenge update
Thanks so much Laney – I only changed the look on Saturday just gone … got all inspired once I finally had a firm direction in my mind for this blog!
And I really like purposeful. If everything is done with purpose then you feel all your efforts are worthwhile and ‘valid’!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: One word for 2012
Love, just love x
Thank you Tessa … as always
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Is time the enemy of your creativity?
My life is generally frantic… but i’ve actually come to terms with the fact that I quite like it like that! The challenge for me is making it frantic doing more of the things I want to & that will help me achieve my goals rather than the unnecessary.
I think my word for this year is ‘forward’. I’ve just moved to the other side of country & the year won’t be without it’s challenges but our lives are moving forward so i’ll need to remember that through the hard times
Phunk recently blogged: My new love…
Sounds like a damn good word do me, say no, and maybe a bit more yes for yourself.
My word is decision – I finally made it today, ironically, took me a while didn’t it!
Michelle recently blogged: My 2012 Word
Ha ha that is brilliant Michelle!
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Newsflash! Magazines are NOT real life.
i reallyreally love this post, kelly!! i swear i wanna blow that up and put up vinyl letters on the wall…
thanks for sharing your ‘NO’.. xoxo, buf
HA! Thank you – that is so lovely
Kelly Exeter recently blogged: Can we all benefit from a Robert De Niro approach to email?