Happiness is not a matter of intensity but
of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.
Thomas Merton
This post has been percolating for several weeks now, and the middle of January is quickly slipping by so it’s time to take a look at my OLW for 2022. I had no trouble finding my word this year. In August we were in a lovely gift shop in Traverse City, MI and I spotted a series of books with single word titles. The one that jumped out at me was Balance, and I was pretty sure that described what I needed in my life. Interestingly, it turned out to be a repeat of the word I chose exactly 10 years ago. Time to revisit it again.
I’m prone to going all in on a project and by the time I’m done, I’ve let lots of other creative pursuits fall to the wayside. A blogging friend has decided to choose a word quarterly, and I’m wondering if that’s not also a way to balance the things you hope to do. I’ve just begun Atomic Habits after hearing references to it all over. I’m only a couple of chapters in, but already one of the big take-aways is that setting goals doesn’t help you create habits; it’s the process that changes who you are. And that change is what you’re really after.
When I started thinking about balance I was looking for ways to incorporate learning, practice, and self-reflection into my days. I recognize that it’s an ongoing process. It’s the day-to-day, moment-to-moment choices you make for yourself. Creating balance means understanding that you can’t do it all.
So I’m going to practice balance—staying open to opportunities and reminding myself of the things that bring me joy.When we returned home from visiting Sarah and her family, I downloaded a Habit Tracker and laid out some of the things I’d like to pay attention to this year. I’m quite sure the list will change from month to month, but it’s already helping me find time for things that might fall off my radar. Although I divided some of them into weekly and monthly categories, that’s not really working the way I wanted. For example, this month I want to explore some possible photography projects, but I don’t expect to start working on one until next month. The one very important omission on the Habit Tracker is a list of all the things I do without thinking: household chores, errands, meal planning, volunteer work several times a week, and work for my three church committees. But, in fact, I’m looking for balance in my creative time.
As I often do, I’ve made lists of ideas for things I’d like to do, and truthfully, most years by the summer I’ve stopped going back to the lists to review them. I think my friend’s idea to look at the OLW quarterly is a great idea. Although I’ve enrolled in Ali Edward’s OLW class a couple of times, doing a deep dive into it each month was really overload for me.
As a “reward” for sticking with me for a very word-heavy post, here’s a look at a cute little nuthatch at our feeder this morning, and a broader look at the landscape outside our kitchen window. By noon we had well over a foot of snow. Tracy went out to do the driveway this afternoon (fortunately neither of us had any reason to leave the house), and just as he finished our snow blower quit working. He did the sidewalk by hand, but our long and steep driveway requires a machine. Matt’s coming over tomorrow with his truck to get it to the service provider.
If you choose a word for the year, I’d love to hear about it.
Balance is a great word! I don’t know why I find it so impossible to settle on a OLW. I too think M-L’s quarterly approach is genius. Perhaps I could adopt something similar in terms of goals generally, in order to maintain momentum.
No need for a “reward” but loved the pics. They almost look like b/w! Such views! Such pretty snow! (You wouldn’t keep me indoors!) Glad the poor nuthatch managed to find some breakfast. Hope you manage to get the blower fixed quickly. No fun being housebound if not.
I like your OLW & finding balance in our lives, especially in the last 2 years, has & continues to be a challenge. You certainly have a very full schedule. I think finding balance in crafting would be the biggest challenge, well for me at least, I certainly have blasts of creativity. I read Atomic Habits, certainly gives lots of inspiration, 1% improvements every day / week lead to success. Habit trackers work IMO! My OLW quarterly has me convinced I can do it but certainly won’t be the scrap project of the past.
Oh no about the snow blower – it was the first thing I put on my gratitude list today that ours worked. Hopefully after Matt gets it to the repair shop, it will be a quick fix & he can bring back same day. Wonderful view, especially of your feather friend.
Balance is a great word. I love the quarterly idea as well. My word is Hope, but maybe it should be schedule! Trying to fit it all in can be challenging, but as long as I can bring more balance in, I will count it as a win.
I don’t usually make resolutions or choose a word. I’m going to begin with a OLW (to be chosen) and switch it quarterly also. I just finished the e-book version of Atomic Habits which is well written and practical. Because it was on my kindle (thus on my phone/Macbook) I copied the chapter summaries to a Word Doc plus added a few key paragraphs. When it comes out in paperback I’ll buy it. in pandemic times I’m spending way too much time on the computer. So I’m off to my craft room to play with several unused sets and my new glimmer system.
I’m all in for the words, Karen! Balance is such an art and as we grow, I think it’s a great idea to revisit … once a decade? or even every quarter! and that journal is gorgeous. My formula is to choose a word as a kind of theme for the year, with intentions to focus me on specific actions. I’m still wrapping up 2021 on my blog (in my head) and look forward to sharing more about my thoughts for 2022 soon – maybe even next week!
Lovely snapshots – especially that second one. As an accountant, I applaud balance as your one little word – it’s all about equaling out debits with credits in my world.
Glorious photos – your home looks idyllic, Karen … Balance is such a great word, and I’m sure that revisiting it will be fruitful and useful, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it walks along with you .. I chose the very pedestrian ‘clear’ (or it chose me), and I decided I’d have it as ‘my word’ just for as long as felt purposeful. So far, it’s served me very well – thought crafting to taking a backseat to purging and clearing and organising!
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