2022 Word Of The Year

I think it’s a great idea to set some intentions, a mindset and/or a loose plan for your life when the New Year’s bell strikes midnight. Here’s my 2022 word of the year!

2022 Word Of The Year

Happy new year!!!

I’ve been choosing a word of the year since 2016!

A lot has changed over the past six years. I started over in a lot of ways: a brand new relationship and went back to life with a baby when Birch was born. The pandemic has felt like going back to start in the game of Sorry (or maybe the longest chute in Chutes + Ladders. Whomp whomp.) A lot has changed during these years, and my focus has flowed with that.

Past words of the year:

• 2016 was Present
• 2017 was Intentional
• 2018 was Vulnerable
• 2019 was Purpose
• 2020 was Vision
• 2021 was Foundation

What Do I Want This Year To Feel Like?

When I come up with each year’s word, I actually don’t put a lot of thought into it. I let the word come to me. I ask myself “what do I want this year to FEEL like” and a word just floats to mind. Call it a mood, a mindset, or what my heart and soul are craving.

This year the word that keeps coming to mind is….

The 2022 word of the year is fresh

Last year smack in the middle of the pandemic (with no vaccines available yet) I was majorly craving stability. Hence the word Foundation as my choice.

This year I’m feeling a bit more like a spring chicken. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and I can see a path to travel, parties, and the “good old days” with boosters and kid vaccines helping us stop the spread.

Fresh signals a rebirth, a lightness, a newness, and excitement. A fresh start. 

Here’s the mood board:

And here’s how I’m thinking fresh in the different areas of life:

Fresh Memories 

Birch is smack in the middle of the transition stage from toddler to kid. He’s 90% potty trained, doesn’t necessarily need a high chair, is almost ready for a big boy bed, and is dropping his nap (<– not excited about that one!). I know from experience that all of these changes lead to more adventures on the horizon.

From day trips to family ski days this winter to a possible flight somewhere warm, I feel like our family is ready to make some fresh memories. Ever since Birch learned to talk, his relationship with Mazen has really blossomed. And despite their age gap, they feel closer in years than ever before. 

Fresh….Credit Cards!

Part of the reason travel is on the mind is because Thomas and I discovered travel rewards last year. I’ve always been really responsible with my credit cards – even to a fault – because I used the same one for like 20 years that only got 1% back. That’s it. If you know anything about credit card points, you know what a wasted opportunity cost that was! Through some of the financial podcasts I listen to, I learned about travel rewards cards and how the game works. Here’s my blog post all about credit cards. 

Fresh New House?

Also on the fresh & new theme is thinking about our house. Thomas and I debate weekly if we should stay here forever until the kids are grown, if we should renovate this house, or if we should build/renovate another house. We love so much about this house (awesome location, great neighbors, the porch + view, the space), but the house as it is now is not what we would choose were we to start from scratch.

The problem is there is no land left in the city, I don’t want to live far out in the country, and the real estate market is hot, so buying a fixer is expensive. So we just sit in limbo wondering what to do. There is also the question of the logistics of a reno/build in terms of financing and probably having to move until a rental while the house we’re renovating is complete. 

Since we love our location so much, we have a meeting with an architect to see what we could do to this house to really make it our own. Most of the changes would be in our main living areas and improving “the envelope” with new windows and insulation (our main floor has zero insulation!) We would have to move out for a while though, so this would be major. And we wouldn’t start until spring 2023 if we decide to move forward. 

Refreshing Health 

The analogy that comes to mind for my health and self care is that of a tunnel water slide. Coming out of pregnancy and the first year is tunnel vision – you just fuel your body and survive. And then I came out of that and was plunged into this pandemic that brought new stressors on us all. I feel a bit like I have lost all of my mindfulness and am ready to get back to a place where I am putting more effort into my health. The best way for me to refresh my routine is to surround myself with inspiration, so I’m going to add a health-focused podcast to my list. What’s your favorite??

Fresh Posts On KERF

I have gotten into a great rhythm with work lately. FINALLY! I’m planning ahead, working ahead, and have my wonderful virtual assistant, Hillary, to thank for getting me to this spot. For the longest time I’ve been in limbo about the direction to go with KERF. I touched on a lot of these in the 2020 post, but it took me a while to commit to that plan. Work smarter, not harder is now 100% embraced. Hillary and I started using Asana, which is an organized person’s dream project management software. Things are going really well! 

What word of the year will you be focusing on in 2022?

SOME POSTS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU IN THE NEW YEAR:

1. 5 Apps to Stay Organized
2. Advice For A Simplified Life
3. All About Real Food
4. How To Set Up A Budget
5. Organize Your Email