The Year of Living Dangerously

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Permalink

Yesterday I tweeted wondering if I was the only person in the developed world (or at least blogging world) who hadn’t chosen a word of the year. #word

A friend did suggest I opt for ‘sarcasm’. I can’t imagine why?!

Another friend hadn’t heard of the notion, but the WOTY (word of the year) thing seems to have become incredibly popular in the last year or two. Some US wellness / self-acceptance bloggers I follow have been doing it for years and years, but it’s still relatively new here in Oz.

It all reminded me of a post which had been wallowing in my drafts folder for a few weeks. A post titled:

The Year of Living Dangerously*

In the post I contemplated what I wanted to achieve in 2015 – despite the fact that I’m not a big New Year Resolutions type kind of gal. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been known to be a manic prolific goal-setter but have tired of constantly failing in my attempts to reach even the most achievable of goals.

Several years ago I was working with a life coach, Karen Anderson who warned against goal setting because of the whole pass / fail / focus-on-the-outcome thing. I realised that was an issue for me but the perfectionist in me struggled to adopt her suggestion of setting goals relating to how you feel. Although it does make sense – saying, “I want to feel healthier.” Rather than “I want to lose weight” (or x kilograms if you’re into SMART goals).

There are some things I want to do this year. There are some things I want to change this year. I won’t go into specifics (and I’ve deleted the other blog post, cos #meh) but I’ve talked about some of them on and off.

2015 new year resolution A few people have shared this meme thingy and I love it – as it’s most apt. I made my seachange in late 2012. I spent much of 2013 struggling with my post-work / public servant / project management identity. In 2014 I started getting some clarity on my values and what’s important (thanks to Five Frogs Coaching) and so this year… I need to take some chances or risks and make some changes.

And because it’s supposed to be Wordless Wednesday I’m sharing some recently-added memes from my Pinterest folder (aptly named) Wanky Motivational Quotes.

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Are you a WOTY / New Year Resolution fan? Do you have either?

* Anyone else remember that movie? The younger and less ranty Mel Gibson and significantly pre-NCIS LA Linda Hunt?

Belatedly linking with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

22 Comments
  • Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
    January 7, 2015

    I loved that movie and back then loved Mel Gibson. Not so much now… I love the top meme. Love it. I have no resolutions and my word is ‘declutter’. I only thought of it yesterday.

    • Debbish
      January 8, 2015

      Declutter is a great word – for the home, desk and MIND!!!

  • Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
    January 7, 2015

    Definitely a Happy New Word fan. I don’t enter the new year without it. It is honestly the best tool I have ever used to keep focused and driven. This year it is “Opportunity”.
    Happy New Year!
    Oh, and Happy New Word!
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    • Debbish
      January 8, 2015

      I suspect I’d ‘find’ my word and then forget it! Or at least lose focus! Opportunity is a good WOTY!

  • Kirsty @ My Home Truths
    January 7, 2015

    I love those quotes – will have to steal them off you. I am a couple of years behind you in my post-public servant life but I’m buoyed by your progress so far. I will be following with interest!

    • Debbish
      January 8, 2015

      Feel free to steal the quotes. God only knows where I found them from. Usually I’ll say on Pinterest – if I know – but often they’re shared and reshared on FB and the original source is completely lost!

  • Min (@riteofthemiddle)
    January 7, 2015

    I must admit I do love a good quote! Some (lots) are indeed wanky but a good one is a good one. Those you have included in this post are good ones! I don’t do the new years resolution thing anymore because I’m sick of beating myself up for failing. Last year I caught on to the blogging world’s love of choosing a ‘word’ for the year and I thought I’d give it a try. It actually did work. It influenced my year. So this year I’m doing it again! I can totally relate to your “struggling with my post-work / public servant / project management identity” coz word for word I struggled with for a long, long time! Hope your 2015 is everything you want it to be Deb! 🙂

  • Jo
    January 7, 2015

    Last year was my first year with goals in, well, years…& it worked cos the timing was right. Last year I had a phrase- Be a force of the awesome. This year it’s about being more awesome…but fearless. It’s a little scary. I reckon this is your year.

    • Debbish
      January 8, 2015

      Oh I hope so Jo. I guess anyone’s ‘journey’ is iterative!

  • CARLA
    January 7, 2015

    YES!!! I remind myself daily I DO WANT it more than IM AFRAID.

    • Debbish
      January 8, 2015

      That’s great Carla! Not sure I’m there yet… #alas

  • Jacana
    January 8, 2015

    Well I am glad to see I am not the only one in the blogging world without a WOTY. I am taking the advice of I don’t want to lose ? kilos, I want to be healthy. No, who am I kidding I want to lose at least 12 kilos in 2015. 3 gone and 2 to put back on and 11 to lose. Something like that anyway.

    • Debbish
      January 9, 2015

      I’m the same. It’s really hard not to put a number against it! It’s my goal however to be less anal about the numbers!

  • jessicadub
    January 10, 2015

    I read a cool quote the other day that said something along the lines of repeating your resolutions year after year (something I do) doesn’t mean you’re a failure but committed. It was way more eloquent/ wanky, but made me feel better about my resolutions. I am really struggling with the fear of certain changes and I know the otherside would be so worth it. But I still sit in apathy

    • Debbish
      January 10, 2015

      I’m the same. Obviously! I’m trying to make some small changes as it seems to be the way to go for me – particularly when it comes to making / breaking habits!

  • Trish MLDB
    January 11, 2015

    I am so indecisive I can’t choose one word – over achieving me – will pick 1-2 a month . Lazy too because I only have to follow through a month at a time.
    I agree small changes and loose goals work best for me too.
    GAME ON !

  • Teddyree
    January 12, 2015

    I don’t make new year resolutions and I’m not much of a goal setter … I usually fail spectacularly and that gets a little old but the last few years I have chosen a word #OLW and I find that works for me … mostly. This year my word chose me and I must get around to doing a post about it 🙂
    HA wanky motivational quotes … love it and that quote is definitely fitting for me “you have to want it more than you’re afraid of it” … I want it with my photography but I’m still a little afraid … a work in progress. Looking forward to your game updates this year Deb!!

    • Debbish
      January 13, 2015

      Thanks Teddyree. On the fear front – in my case it’s my writing and doing anything other than blogging (even just in my own blog) with it!

  • IamVikkiKate
    January 14, 2015

    I have 4 words this year. Lots of work to do? Lol. Perhaps. 😉

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