my word for 2023

and continuing on my path of healthy living

Several years ago, I became fed up with New Year's Resolutions. I had grandiose ideas like everyone else, that January 1st would be THE DAY that everything would magically change, and all those bad habits would magically disappear with the wave a magic wand. They say with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes the certainty that trying to upheave your entire life in a single day mostly doesn't work.

I did however get on board with choosing a word to focus on for the year. I find this so much easier to handle and honestly, one word can encapsulate so much. My word for 2022 was "renewal" and I felt that really came to fruition, especially with renewing my passion for writing and starting this Substack, so words definitely do matter!

My word for 2023: NOURISH.

Cambridge Dictionary defines nourish as: to provide people or living things with food in order to make them grow and keep them healthy.

But I do not just see this word for its points about healthy food, I see it as encompassing, not just what I eat but what am I reading, watching, doing, etc... I am looking at nourish as a 360-degree approach, as it relates to my life, am I nourishing myself and taking care of myself?

I am a pretty healthy eater at this point in my life. I spent 2022 really homing in on that and I try to eat at least 30 different plant-based foods a week. I have an app that I use that assists with that, and it helps me also discover new ways of looking at fruit and veg to change it up and try foods differently. That being said, I would like to incorporate more plant-based meals into our meal plan. I notice that I feel better eating a more diversified array of foods that are nutrient dense and full of vitamins. It doesn't mean I won't occasionally have fish and chips because #balance and #lifeismeanttobelived and I am not interested in full-on restrictions. But in my fourth decade, I know what works for my body and what does not. I am looking forward to being more creative in the kitchen!

Another part of my nourishment journey is making more time for what fills me up and cutting back on what does not. For example, I enjoy listening to podcasts and whilst I do listen to some, there are so many more I would like to get around to listening to and I always lament that there is simply not enough time. But who spent an hour on social media going down rabbit holes of accounts that led me here, there, and everywhere? *Raises hand* Me. Social media does not nourish me nor should it, to be honest with you. Learning nourishes me. Reading nourishes me. Getting out for a good walk nourishes me. I say I do not have the time to catch up on a few podcast episodes, but actually I do. I am not quitting social media, but I will be lessening the amount of time I spend on there.

Do you remember the film Mean Girls? Remember when Gretchen keeps saying everything is "fetch" (That skirt is so fetch!) and Regina finally has enough and says 'Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen. It's not going to happen'? Well, that is how it is with me and meditation. I want to do it, my mind is at its best when I do it, but there is a Regina voice in my head that after a few days of meditating, says 'Stop trying to make meditation happen'. Well, this is the year that I silence that voice and get a solid practice going. I feel so much better after a meditating session and when I do one before going to bed, I honestly sleep so much better. It seems crazy to me that I do not do what makes me feel better. I talk about needing to meditate more but then don't do it. No more talk. It is now going to happen.

Other sources of nourishment that are important for my life:

Silence. I need bits of silence; however, I can get them. Not only am I an introvert, but I am also an HSP (highly sensitive person). Excessive noise in any form, drives me a bit mad and I need quiet. I function better when I can have moments to myself. As a mother, I don't always get them, but even five minutes can be absolute heaven some days. IYKYK :)

Cups of tea. Every weekday afternoon after I pick up my eldest from school, I sit down and have a cup of tea. She does her schoolwork and eats a snack, and I drink a cup of tea and snatch a few pages of reading before I need to start dinner. I suppose one can see it as a ritual of sorts, but this singular cup of tea helps transition my brain into the evening and my mind can relax that there is no more hustling and bustling. It is nourishing for both my body and mind.

Fresh flowers. I do not always purchase them but maybe once a month, I do pick up some fresh flowers and arrange them in a vase and place it on my countertop. They are lovely to look at and them make me smile and bring a sense of serenity to my spirit.

Writing. Writing is a balm for my soul. I feel "filled up" when I start getting thoughts down on a page. Sharing with all of you here nourishes my creative side and I can't tell you enough, how thankful I am that you are all here.

How is January treating you so far? Did you choose a word for 2023? Did you do a vision board for the year instead?