Rediscover the Power of Your One Word
{One Word 2024 June Linkup}
You’ve made it to June! Congratulations, you’re halfway through the year with your One Word. Now is a great time to re-motivate yourself by remembering WHY you chose this word in the first place.
Link all of your ONE WORD blog posts below. Share an update about your One Word in the comments.
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Revisit Your Initial Thoughts
Back in January, you chose a word that resonated with your goals for the year, one that could guide you and keep you focused. But as time rolls on, it’s easy to lose sight of that initial spark. That’s why it’s helpful to pause and reflect on your journey so far.
If you filled out our One Word worksheet, wrote a blog post, or talked to someone about your word in January, now is the time to reread those words or rehash that conversation. Let your initial impressions and clarity excite you again.
Ask yourself the following questions to gain deeper insights into your intentions and progress:
1. Why did I choose this word in January? What was happening in my life that led me to this word?
One reason I chose CURIOSITY in January is because I’ve experienced changes in several critical relationships over the past couple of years. CURIOSITY was a tool I wanted to use to wonder more, ask better questions, and create deeper connections.
I’m sad as I look back at my first post this year—Do You Want to See Better? Try Curiosity. I didn’t imagine in January that by mid-year, my friend V would no longer be here. I naively thought her vision problems would be a simple fix, instead of signs of a much more extensive problem.
Are my vision problems more extensive than I realize, too? Is this another lesson for me? I see the need to remain curious.
2. Is my word serving its purpose? If not, how can I revamp it to align with my goals for the second half of 2024?
Yes, CURIOSITY is serving its purpose by making me more aware of being aware.
Looking back over my original goals, I realize I haven’t been as intentional about doing some of the things I’d planned (like being curious about new foods!) yet many have happened naturally nonetheless (this month I enjoyed Cuban food for the first time). I will definitely stick with CURIOSITY for the second half of 2024.
An Exercise to Rekindle Your Connection
If you’re unsure about your word now, here’s a quick exercise to try. Dig up your word’s roots to make a deeper connection with your current situation.
Look up your word’s etymology in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary or the Online Etymology Dictionary. What is its origin? Has its meaning or use changed over time?
I smiled when I read that in the late 14th century CURIOSITY meant “careful attention to detail” (a definition now obsolete) because I often pay too much attention to details (please load the dishwasher this exact way). But in other ways, it’s handy to be a detail-oriented person—I usually keep track of the day and time my appointments are, for example.
In Middle English curiosity often had a negative connotation, like “prying; idle or vain interest in worldly affairs.” But now, curiosity typically means “having a strong desire to learn or know something,” which is how I am viewing it this year.
Embrace this mid-year check-in to rediscover the strength of your One Word and adjust your path if necessary so your word can continue to inspire you through the rest of 2024.
Next Linkup
This One Word linkup will remain open for 2 weeks for your One Word posts, closing at midnight on Monday, July 8. Link as many posts as you’d like about your One Word. Each link will also be shared in our One Word Facebook group.
Our July linkup will open on Wednesday, July 24 (and on the 24th of each month for 2024).
If you’d like to receive our monthly One Word emails and ideas, join here any time of the year.
May you remember to stay connected with your One Word throughout the year.
Has your One Word stayed relevant so far in 2024? Leave a comment here.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for hosting this link party. My word is going great. I did have to change the way I approached my posts for the year. I had planned them ahead of time for a year. That quit working for me when we had a lot of issues come up in our personal lives and I didn’t have time to research the topics. However, the core categories have held true, and I let them lead as I write a new post each week. My followers have enjoyed the change as well, letting their own weeks inspire their writing, or using the topics I had suggested to start. One writer used a topic I had suggested weeks before and she published and linked. Since my topics were no longer theme-related, but related to the word “nspire” directly, her post worked at a much later date. YAY!
I’m always encouraged to hear stories of words going well! I’m glad you’re having a good year with yours, Marsha. I made a good plan for practicing my word back in January, but when I looked at that plan this month, there were a few things I’d totally forgotten about. 🙂 But it’s still worked out fine. Sometimes we just have to be flexible, especially when other things come up, like you mentioned. So glad you linked up with us today!
I’m always impressed when I see people follow through on their one words faithfully, enthusiastically, and creatively. My hat’s off to you all this summer!
Thank you, Linda. It helps me when I hear others who still plodding along too with their words, so the linkups have been encouraging to me for my own journey as well!
I tend to be an independent cuss, but I have come to learn the gift and blessing of community, especially in maintaining my awareness of something important. Thanks for fostering community here as we live with our words in our mundane faitihfulness.
We’re cut from the same cloth, Michele. I lean toward independence too so I have to be remind myself of all the benefits of community to get me out of the house. 🙂 I’m grateful too for our One Word community; you all enrich my journey with my word by reading about your journeys.