Tag Archives: new year

One Word for 2021

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Last year, I read about this idea that instead of setting goals and resolutions, that you instead choose one word for a new year. One word that will propel you towards your goals. It’s hard to remember a to-do list for the year. But one word? You can plaster that everywhere. Phone backgrounds, journals covers/pages, walls, steering wheels, etc.

I actually did this with my seventh grade students last year, with a list of words to help them. I had them pick 3 words, brainstorm why they wanted to choose each one, and then pick the one word that resonated with them the most. When I did my weekly check-ins, I checked in on if/how they were using that word to push them through their days. Check out their responses!

As I’ve been taking stock of the year 2020 and attempting to set some “goals” for myself, I find myself always going back to one word.

This year, I want to make sure the people I love KNOW that I love them.

But most importantly, I just want to love myself.

I mentioned in a previous post that my most used phrase in my journal in 2020 was “I hate myself.” How can you motivate yourself to make positive changes in mindset when you hate yourself? Answer: you can’t.

I like the idea that loving myself still allows me to kinda live in the moment. Some days, loving myself might just mean eating a huge bag of Hot Cheetos or drinking a bottle of wine. Others, it may be working out, making healthier food choices. I just want to change the mindset of hating myself to loving it.

I recognize it’s not a snap-your-fingers ideology. I still battle a lot of negative thoughts on the daily, but I am hopeful I can start making some positive changes to help shift that mindset. I can love myself. I will love myself.

And everyone will know that I love them too.

What’s your one word for 2021?

Still Need a Resolution? 5 Reasons You Should Start Journaling!

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  1. Your journal is a safe space to express feelings, emotions, opinions, etc. about anything and everything. Whether you choose to just do a daily debrief at the end of the day, a more structured journal experience with daily prompts, or a gratitude journal, it is all private writing that you never have to share with anyone unless you choose to.
  2. There are options: you can journal on a computer using any word processor, you can download apps for your phone/tablet, or you can go the old fashioned way and write with pen and paper. Pen and paper gives you an opportunity to decorate it to your liking, plus, a chance to break away from technology and blue light.
  3. You can choose any time of the day to set aside for journaling. If you’re a morning person, you can make a cup of tea or coffee, find a space, and write before you start your day. Maybe you’re a mid-day journaler – taking some time during your lunch break to debrief from a rough morning. If you’re like me, you can journal at night before bed as a way to wrap up the day and summarize your experiences and emotions that you had.
  4. For many, you are able to process things so much better in writing. I know for myself, I rely on ranting and venting to eventually get to the point of what I’m mad about, and in writing, I can do that without the judgement of others, and finally start to process what I’m actually feeling by the end of a page. I’m mad that _____, but actually I’m just hurting because ______. Journaling gives me the opportunity to really delve into my brain and identify triggers and feelings, so that I’m less likely to have an outburst out loud because I was unable to express my true emotions.
  5. After some time, your journal can serve as a reminder of all the good and bad times you had. For me, my therapist convinced me to read through my entries from this year to show all the challenges I pushed through and the growth I made. I didn’t believe her, and figured it would just bring up a ton of emotions I did not want to process again, but she was right. While I did feel some emotions reading through the entries, I also felt proud for all that I had been able to work through this year. 2020 as a teacher was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Too bad 2021 won’t be much different.
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Personal Growth and Discovery #3

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Like many new year’s resolutioners, I’m back! This time, to attempt a 31-day journaling adventure of personal growth and discovery.

In nice terms, 2019 SUCKED. So I’m dedicating 2020 to ME, MYSELF, and I.

I’ll be utilizing the writing prompts from this website.

Day 3: What are some of my limiting beliefs that might be holding me back?

What if I fail and it makes me look incompetent?

What if I’m rejected and have to face those emotions?

As I mentioned in my writing yesterday, negative self-talk is my specialty. I am always convincing myself that it’s better to think negatively, that way if I fail, it doesn’t hurt as bad. I don’t necessarily believe a lot of the negative thoughts I have about myself, but I do let them limit what I do.

I often find myself not volunteering for things, not opening my door to visitors, not willing to take risks to create a better career or life for myself. I let my fear of failure and rejection let me just ride along at the average level I’m comfortable at.

The issue with comfortable, is that line moves.

I was watching Bar Rescue last night, and I made a comment that so many of these bars that do really well for years and then begin to fail are doing so because they refuse to change. They think that what works right now will still work in five year.

Living a comfortable life is the same. Comfortable as a measure changes as we move along in life. What is comfortable now, won’t be in a few years, months, weeks, even days.

I limit myself. And it’s time I take a leap of faith and see what happens.

What does that mean? I don’t know. Is it a leap as a teacher? A leap to further my career? A leap in my personal life? Only time will tell.

Personal Growth and Discovery #2

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Like many new year’s resolutioners, I’m back! This time, to attempt a 31-day journaling adventure of personal growth and discovery.

In nice terms, 2019 SUCKED. So I’m dedicating 2020 to ME, MYSELF, and I.

I’ll be utilizing the writing prompts from this website.

Day 2: What do I need to let go of?

I need to let go of my negative thoughts about myself. My self-consciousness, maybe? I think I self-sabotage at least 85% of the time.

At the end of last school year, I got my formal observation notes that were beginning to put me at the “distinguished” level. (In Texas, that’s like a 4/5, where most teacher stay at 3/5, “proficient.”) All that being on a day when I just told her to come by and do it that day. No dog and pony show.

At the end of November, I got an email after an observation of my co-teacher and myself that was one of the best commendations. We were invited to be the “feature teachers” during January’s co-teach webinar.

At the end of the semester, I was invited to a PD by my principal to completely revamp my classroom and try some new, innovative strategy because I’m a “forward thinker” and she knows I’m committed.

All of this sounds like I should absolutely LOVE my job.

BUT I DON’T.

But I’m beginning to reflect and realize that I think I dislike my job because I’m always so negative about it. Perhaps I’m afraid to enjoy it, because then when things turn bad, it doesn’t feel like part of my soul died. But if we’re being honest, part of it is already dead. I killed it.

One thing I’ve wanted to try this year is yoga. I’m considering dumping my gym membership and going to a yoga studio. As much as I’d like to do it at home, I have three dogs, and I don’t think I could fully commit my mind to it knowing that they’re surely getting into mischief. I think a yoga session can give me space to just clear my mind of the negative self-talk.

This year, I hope to lessen my self-consciousness and negative mindset, and truly embrace that attitude is everything. I am good at my job. I am very blessed in life. 2020 is my year.

Personal Growth and Discovery #1

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Like many new year’s resolutioners, I’m back! This time, to attempt a 31-day journaling adventure of personal growth and discovery.

In nice terms, 2019 SUCKED. So I’m dedicating 2020 to ME, MYSELF, and I.

I’ll be utilizing the writing prompts from this website.

Day 1: What do I need more of in my life?

In one word, SUPPORT.

I spent a lot of last year feeling really alone. And while I never truly was, that didn’t stop the feeling. I have a husband, and loving friends and family. But I often felt that I couldn’t share my feelings without getting a passive aggressive response. Why is our mental health still such a stigma? Why do people think we need to meet some kind of requirements for feeling down and depressed?

This year, I hope that I receive the support I need when I need it. Support at work, when I’m struggling with my 7th graders and their behavior; and support at home, when I’m stressed about money and how we’re one emergency away from financial disaster.

This year, I’m focusing on MY mental health, and I’m not going to hesitate to reach out for support when I need it. If someone can’t help me up when I’m down, then why are they in my life in the first place?

I Read 6 Books in 2017…

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But I accomplished so many other things I had never planned for, so is that really something to be ashamed of?

Hello friends! Long time, no post!

So I logged into Goodreads on 12/29 and was so depressed when I saw how far from my minuscule 30-book goal I still was. 30 books is barely one per 2 weeks. I had friends accomplish their 75-100 book goals! What! Continue reading →

2015 Year in Review

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So I’ve already posted my goals for NEXT year (it’s coming so soon y’all!), but I think now is a good time to reminisce on the year that is on its way out.

I can’t complain about 2015. It wasn’t a super memorable year, but it definitely wasn’t a year I’ll try to forget about either.

I got engaged in December of last year (Dec 26th at the Riverwalk in San Antonio <3), so I spent the majority of the first part of the year riding the engagement high. Pinterest all the time!

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