My WOTY: Step

 I almost thought I was going to spend my year without a word as nothing was coming to me.  A few times I had a word that I thought would work but I wanted something that really grabbed me... then I was sitting at my computer one day and it just came to me.  STEP.  I love that it has so many meanings and ways it can apply to my life and my year. 

Step: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running OR a measure or action, especially one of a series taken in order to deal with or achieve a particular thing OR a stage in a gradual process.


I already have quite a few ideas for how and where I can apply this word to my life this year.

I want to focus on my steps and get walking/ moving even more than I currently do.  

As my boys are getting older I have had to concentrating on side stepping-- moving from a more direct parenting role to  walking along side them as they move out into the adult world and make choices for their futures.  I have been working on making this a gradual process and it's not always easy but I am so grateful that my boys and I have such open relationships that we can really talk about what we're thinking and feeling. 

I'm also taking a small step back from my blog this year and only posting a few days a week instead of 6 days a week. 

I want to step out of my comfort zone and try new things-- recipes, experiences, etc. 

I'm excited to see where this year leads me and how my word comes into play! 

Linking up with: Spread the Kindness,









Comments

  1. HollyJanuary 11, 2022 at 5:20 AM

    Oh I LOVE this- yes- what a perfect word- can't wait to follow along!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jennifer GoodwinJanuary 11, 2022 at 7:26 AM

    This is a great word for the year and post! Ironically, I shared my word for this year on my blog today too. How funny! I feel like we have so much in common, as my boys are all adults now and I've been practicing that side step role for a few years now. It was a gradual process for me as well, so when it was time for to step aside, it was easier. There are so many times I want to say something and so many times it's like the Lord Himself closes my mouth. My word is more of an inner process this year, but other years it's been more of an obvious thing. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJanuary 11, 2022 at 8:16 AM

    Joanne,
    LOVE your Word for the Year....Thanks so much for visiting and commenting on my post about my word which is Thrive. I am done with just surviving...Happy New Year and Good luck and I can not wait to see how you apply your Word...6 times a week!! That is a lot...I used to do 3 posts a week and then cut back last year to 2 posts a week.I went back up to 3 a week during the Holidays but it darn near killed me!! I am back down to 2 posts a week now and it works well for me as I post on Wednesdays and Sundays....Happy New Year!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:47 AM

      I used to blog 7 days a week for years then cut back to 6 last year and am shooting for just 5 days a week this year but it's so hard as I always have ideas, recipes, and other blog Q&A type posts (or themed posts) that I want to join in on!

      Delete
  4. Dara @ Not In JerseyJanuary 11, 2022 at 8:38 AM

    Great choice for a word of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Linda @ Life and LindaJanuary 11, 2022 at 8:44 AM

    Such a perfect choice. I think post a few times a week is a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:49 AM

      Thank you! It's taking some restraint not to post on Wednesday but I'm enjoying the more relaxed pace.

      Delete
  6. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 11, 2022 at 9:15 AM

    This is a great choice and a very unique one! I don't think I've ever seen anyone use this one before. I'm excited to follow along with you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tamar SBJanuary 11, 2022 at 9:16 AM

    What a beautiful dive into the variety of steps we take!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tanya January 11, 2022 at 2:28 PM

    I love how you described the side step...something I am constantly learning how to do as my kids become young adults.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:53 AM

      It can be so tricky! I find it varies greatly by child too.

      Delete
  9. Kim CarberryJanuary 11, 2022 at 3:41 PM

    Step is a great word to describe your year. When I think of you I think of all the steps you do with your hiking but it does have so many more meanings x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:54 AM

      Thank you! I did immediately think of hiking too.

      Delete
  10. Heather{Our Life In a Click}January 11, 2022 at 3:58 PM

    What a great word to use!! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jodie's Touch of StyleJanuary 11, 2022 at 4:13 PM

    Oh, I love that word. I usually wait until my word comes to me, and this year mine is "extra" (shocking I know, haha)
    OXOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:54 AM

      Yes, I refused to just pick something. I wanted to wait for it to come to me.

      Delete
  12. Kellyann RohrJanuary 11, 2022 at 8:27 PM

    Such a great word for the year Joanne. Makes so much sense too. I don't have a word of the year, there are so many that come to mind I can't narrow it down to just one!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    ReplyDelete
  13. EllibelleJanuary 11, 2022 at 8:31 PM

    What a great word to focus on! Love how it has different meanings and how it's going to help guide you along in so many ways! Side stepping is hard, but something we all must learn to do!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MarshaJanuary 11, 2022 at 10:48 PM

    What a wonderful word, Joanne! I love how you've already figured out how it will guide you in so many ways.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 12, 2022 at 9:56 AM

      Once the word comes to me I do like to reflect on it a few days and think about how it might apply to my life.

      Delete
  15. Memphis BridgesJanuary 12, 2022 at 8:02 AM

    I love all of these, especially the side stepping. Such great insight!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Andrea NineJanuary 12, 2022 at 8:12 AM

    You’re so fabulous! I absolutely love this and love following you my sweet friend!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JenniferJanuary 12, 2022 at 3:33 PM

    I love that there are so many applications! I especially like stepping out of my comfort zone. It is something that I have to purposefully work at....otherwise, my comfort zone gets oh so cozy (dare I say, comfy!!) Great word for the year!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kari January 12, 2022 at 3:57 PM

    This is a great word of the year and these are all good "steps." I need to step outside of my comfort zone from time to time too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jo TraceyJanuary 27, 2022 at 6:10 PM

    What a great word - I look forward to seeing where you go with it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jo TraceyJanuary 27, 2022 at 6:10 PM

    What a great word - I look forward to seeing where you go with it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lisa notes...January 27, 2022 at 6:23 PM

    I love all the ways you're already finding to use Step! Such a fantastic word. I wouldn't have thought of it but I see how wonderfully useful it can be!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 28, 2022 at 6:11 AM

      Thanks! I liked that it was kind of unusual.

      Delete
  22. Women Living Well After 50January 27, 2022 at 8:52 PM

    Hi Joanne and welcome to the first 2022 Word of the Year Link Party. I'm so pleased you have joined up and STEP is a great word with lots of possibilities. Like you I didn't have a word until 'a minute to midnight' and then one came to me which I felt was right. I like having a word to focus on although I wasn't concerned if I didn't. You've been so good to blog 6 days a week and sometimes stepping back is just what we need. I also like 'side stepping to walk beside your boys' as they become adults. A lovely post and I look forward to you linking up with us next month. #2022wotylinkparty

    ReplyDelete
  23. retirementreflectionsJanuary 27, 2022 at 9:16 PM

    Hi, Joanne - Thank you so much for joining us for this Word of the Year Link Up. You are totally rocking your WOTY. I love all of the different meanings that 'step' has, and how you are applying them all to your life. Awesome that you have such an open relationship with your children. That is such an important gift to give to each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 28, 2022 at 6:11 AM

      I never though of it that way, but it really is.

      Delete
  24. Deb's WorldJanuary 28, 2022 at 12:21 AM

    This is great Joanne, all the various ways of stepping you have in mind. I especially like the side-stepping as a way of parenting as children grow to be more independent, such an important step to take. Thanks for joining us for our WOTY linkup!

    ReplyDelete
  25. onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.comJanuary 28, 2022 at 7:47 PM

    A great word that you can take in a number of directions. The side stepping is quite a transition. I still find myself in full-on parenting mode with my adult daughters. Yesterday, it seemed everyone needed 'mom.' I used to do a series called stepping outside my comfort zone. Maybe we should bring it back and both step out of our zones this year!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Denyse Whelan.January 28, 2022 at 9:27 PM

    Really interesting to read of your word and the reasons Joanne. I like you am making changes for the betterment of ME. Denyse #WOTYlinkparty

    ReplyDelete
  27. Terri Webster SchrandtJanuary 30, 2022 at 10:14 AM

    An excellent choice (coming to you via #2022wotylinkparty), Joanne! Step has so many layered meanings and I'm sure you will find the focus to be a good thing for your life. Why I like your word, is I chose mine: walk! Very similar, easy and layered with meanings, Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne January 30, 2022 at 10:52 AM

      Those are quite closely related! Good luck with your WOTY!

      Delete
  28. Christie HawkesJanuary 31, 2022 at 7:45 AM

    It sounds like STEP is the perfect word for you, Joanne, and that you've found several different ways in which it is applicable in your life right now.

    ReplyDelete
  29. CindyFebruary 2, 2022 at 4:27 PM

    What a great word! I have had to side step as my children are now 19 and almost 17 to more of walking alongside instead of leading. It is hard and requires a delicate balance. My word for the year is focus: https://encounterswiththedavisfamily.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-month-of-focus-in-review.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne February 3, 2022 at 8:43 AM

      My older sons are 16 & 18 ( well almost 18, his birthday is in April).

      Delete
  30. BarbFebruary 20, 2022 at 7:19 AM

    What fun you are going to have with your word.

    Learn new dance steps.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Favorite TV Shows Growing Up in the 80's and early 90's

Image
Do you remember the TGIF lineups on Friday nights? I can remember planning sleepovers and time with friends around TV Show lineups of our favorite shows... or else trying to set the VCR to record our favorite shows if we weren't going to be home. And through the years I had SO MANY favorites! Growing pains aired in 1985 which put me around age 8 and it stayed on the air until I was 15 or so; I'm pretty sure most people in my age group watched mostly for Kirk Cameron and all his antics.  I still have a soft spot for family sit-coms!  The Facts of Life aired when I was just 2  and stayed on the air until I was 11 so I'm sure the episodes I remember so fondly were either some of the later ones and then reruns shown later on when I was old enough to watch from the beginning. I think everyone would have loved an Edna Garret in their lives.   Benson another sitcom that began airing when I was just 2 and was done by the time I was 9 (another one I must have watched mai...
Read more

Things That Make Me Laugh

Image
I loved the challenge of this week's list for our 26 lists link up.  I don't know about you but I really need to laugh more lately.  It's such a great stress reliever. 1.  Books-- I love a good funny book that makes me laugh out loud.  I haven't read one in a while but if you have any recommendations I'm all ears.  The last book I can remember making me laugh was the Un-Honeymooners. 2  The boys being silly. 3.  Watching shows like America's Funniest Videos or Family Feud. 4. My husband.  Most people don't realize it but he's actually pretty funny and often makes me laugh. 5.  Whenever my sisters/ family get together and we get to reminiscing (particularly if my Aunt Elaine is around) we end up laughing so hard at all the old family stories that we are all in tears by the end of the night.  It's fabulous. 6. Movies like Mom's Night Out, Christmas Vacation, and Grown Ups make me laugh out loud. 7.  When my ...
Read more

Favorite Moments and Memories of 2024

Image
 Oh 2024... it was a challenging year for sure but we had so many fabulous moments and memories. I fully admit that many of my favorite memories this year have no pictures-- like Easter dinner with the family, Alec's acceptance day at JWU, etc. But I am more interested in being present these day then I am in getting the exact perfect photo. In January  we started the year with a big family breakfast out to lunch before my sister and nephews headed home. It's an awful picture but we were all laughing because my mom tried 4 times to get us all in there! Then a week or so later my husband and I did get to go on our cruise (we weren't sure right up until the last minute since my mother in law was in the hospital just before we left).  Roatan Grand Cayman We celebrated Alec's 18th birthday nearly a full month late in  February but he didn't mind. Evan got his license in February. And we checked out a new hiking trail. Alec presented his Senior Culinary Arts Project (SC...
Read more

Share 4 Somethings in December

Image
Tomorrow is the last Saturday of the month and time for the Share 4 Somethings link up with Jennifer. We're flying home (if all goes well with our connections we should be home tomorrow morning-- though I am REALLY worried about the "adjustment" the airline company made so we now have a much shorter connection time than we planned!) so this wrap up is pretty much all about our trip to Hawaii!  Once again we'll be sharing some things we've  loved and/or disliked, accomplished, some things we've improved upon and/or that need improvement, and noticed. Loved/Disliked:  We LOVED our Hawaii trip but we really disliked those long flights/travel days! sunset Maui top of Haleakala summit; Haleakala National park road to Hana Whales spotted on our snorkel tour, Maui botanical gardens; Maui Both our rentals had beautiful sunset views! volcano national park; Hawaii the volcano began erupting less than 2 days before we got there we hiked out to a green sand beach touring ...
Read more

Favorite Papercrafts and Cards of 2024

Image
 Once again this year I am linking up with the Year in Review Blog Hop to share some of my favorite cards and scrapbook pages that I made this year.  A quick review of all the papercrafts I've shared this year: January and February's projects here Papercrafts from March here April's projects here Cards I made in May June's papercrafts July & August's projects here September's cards and scrapbook pages October's papercrafts Cards I made in November (I didn't make any in December!) Please stop by and visit my other co-hosts pages!  A Cut Above  a.k.a Vicki of A Cut Above Challenge Blog Debbie  of Secrets of Stamping Diane  of Nellie's Nest Ellie  of Ellibelle's Corner Helen  of Made by Helen Joanne  of My Slices of Life Rachel  of Slow Down, Enjoy and Create Vicki  of He"art"ful Validations of Vicki Linking up with:
Read more