The Journey Inward

When choosing my Word of the Year this year, 
it was my therapist who suggested one to me.
She noted that a word I used frequently
was Grace.
I had to agree, 
because I have worked hard in the past decade
to extend grace to myself
in the form of self forgiveness, self acceptance,
and self love.
I extend grace to others,
extending generous assumptions,
and offering up forgiveness and acceptance.

Next, I considered Let it be,
another idea my therapist and I worked on,
a slight language shift,
but huge connotation shift (for me)
from Let it go,
which often renders me feeling
helpless and hopeless,
like a victim, like somehow
it's my responsibility to "get over it."
Let it be allows life to unfold as it will,
not to fight or resist or control it,
but rather to experience flow
and ease.

I've gotten better with that,
in that I remind myself regularly,
Let it be,
and so, although not perfect,
I'm on my way there.
This morning a dear friend
sent me this Instagram post,
from womenofthefuture.co
that said,
I have good news, babygirl.
You're going to get more 
than you lost.  
This chapter is called
make room.

And with that, my word,
or should I say, phrase,
was born!
I can't wait to dig in,
dive deep,
scuba below the surface,
to find all the ways this phrase fits,
all the ways this word encourages,
inspires, and stretches me
to grow and change and expand.

Some early thoughts...
Make room for
inclusivity, diverse perspectives,
boundaries, change, new ideas,
activism, self care,
prioritizing sustainable practices.
Make room to rest, be, create, connect,
for silence, solitude, sadness, awkwardness,
for boredom, grumpiness, lack of motivation.
Make room for conversations with Higher Power,
and loved ones who have passed.
Make room in my pantry and closets,
my mind and my heart,
my schedule.
Make room for those dearest to me,
to listen and dream and grow closer.

I can't wait to see all that I 
MAKE ROOM for this year!