I've been doing this word of the year thing for practically ever - like, *adjusts glasses and ironic t-shirt* since before it was the Thing to do. So I was thinking of a word for 2018, and the one that my brain and gut hit me with was "fortitude."
Whoa, whoa, whoa. What am I trying to tell myself about 2018? Courage in pain or adversity? Effing GRIT?
No, thanks. I had enough of that in 2017, thank you very much.
And come to think of it, the last few words have been so similar: Intrepid. Sovereign. Catalyst. It's like I'm trying to hold up my badass-osity like a shield. Protect me from the world, plucky personality! Keep away! I'm a Strong Female Character! I climb mountains and publish books and I don't need you.
Eep.
Those are all true statements. I am those things. But maybe this year, the word to focus on should be softer. Should melt. Be snuggly. I wear this carapace and feel my squishy feelings inside. I don't hide from them, but maybe I hide them from the world, and after the year we've all just had, perhaps it would be a better goal to be more human. More humane.
It's easy for me to be tough, so this year, I'm going to be
I'm not gentle, but I am generous. I care deeply about many things, but I'm not mild in the least. I don't think that being tender means playing small or acting meek, but I do think that in the new year, we could all use more people actively pursuing compassion and empathy.
I will be warm and more welcoming to myself and others. I will hold space for those who need and listen to those who speak. I will be slower to judge.
I will attend to the needs of others, and will tend to those who need special attention from me.
There is a lot to being tender, and though it's not the part of me that's comfortable and easy, I'm the type that tends to enjoy a challenge.
No, thanks. I had enough of that in 2017, thank you very much.
And come to think of it, the last few words have been so similar: Intrepid. Sovereign. Catalyst. It's like I'm trying to hold up my badass-osity like a shield. Protect me from the world, plucky personality! Keep away! I'm a Strong Female Character! I climb mountains and publish books and I don't need you.
Eep.
Those are all true statements. I am those things. But maybe this year, the word to focus on should be softer. Should melt. Be snuggly. I wear this carapace and feel my squishy feelings inside. I don't hide from them, but maybe I hide them from the world, and after the year we've all just had, perhaps it would be a better goal to be more human. More humane.
It's easy for me to be tough, so this year, I'm going to be
I'm not gentle, but I am generous. I care deeply about many things, but I'm not mild in the least. I don't think that being tender means playing small or acting meek, but I do think that in the new year, we could all use more people actively pursuing compassion and empathy.
I will be warm and more welcoming to myself and others. I will hold space for those who need and listen to those who speak. I will be slower to judge.
I will attend to the needs of others, and will tend to those who need special attention from me.
There is a lot to being tender, and though it's not the part of me that's comfortable and easy, I'm the type that tends to enjoy a challenge.
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| Goals for 2018 | DaveBardan on Deviant Art |
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