Choosing a word of the year can be an intensely transformative journey — even when you lose sight of your word, it doesn’t lose sight of you. I should know. This is my eighth year choosing a word of the year. There have been years when I have forgotten all about my word (I’m looking at you, 2020), but that word has still worked its magic in my life.
Words, they say, are spells. They have an inherent magic and power that can work in ways you may never have anticipated to bring you the exact medicine you need at any point of time. The first word I chose, eight years ago, was Transform. It is a spell that’s been woven into the very fabric my life, impacting it far beyond just one year.
There are those who would shrug their shoulders and claim that we all grow and transform everyday anyway. But when you’re hardwired to find meaning and signs everywhere you look, you can trace lines back to precise moments and say that’s where all of this started. And I say that the transformation I’ve witnessed in myself began with that word that I chose eight years ago. The seeds may have been sown long ago, but that’s when they all started to sprout.
Which is why I don’t take my word of the year practice too lightly. I need to be clear on at least some aspects of what I’m drawing towards me with the word that I choose. So when a word presented itself to me, much earlier than it usually does, I was a bit hesitant to accept it.
Until it decided to stalk me.
Aspects of that word showed up in the imagery in my paintings. I heard that word in the most unexpected of places. I read things that immediately reminded me of that one pesky little persistent word.
When it had worn down all my defenses, it made me look up its meaning and google its etymology. And that’s when it all made sense. And that’s when I finally embraced my word for the year.
Devotion
That’s my word of the year. Its another one of those words that I had passed over in previous years. But this year, I’m finally ready to embrace it.
While devotion is usually understood to be religious or spiritual in nature, one of its meanings is love, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person or activity. That is what I’m aiming for.
Devotion as active attention + care. Of being worthy of my own devotion. Which, if you think about it, is a radical and reverent act. And it makes perfect sense, coming as it does on the heels of Sovereignty.
And while I may understand how it all makes sense, I must admit that I’ve still not made complete sense of this word. But then, we have an entire year — and more — to get acquainted with one another!
Before you go, tell me this: do you have a word of the year?
Still to find a word of the year? Download the Visioning workbook – it’s designed to help you reflect on the year gone by, plan for the year to come, and choose a word for the year! Click on the Download now button below, and I’ll pop it right over to you!
I love how consistent you have been with the words. Devotion is a beautiful word. Also I like that you mentioned words are like spell. They sure are when you think about how our subconscious can be programmed through affirmations.
True, Raj. That’s also why words generally weave into our lives for much longer than just a year!
I love your word for 2022, Shinjini. Devotion is a word with many possibilities. It’s interesting how the word revealed itself to you; stalked you, you say? I am glad you listened to the universe and picked this word. May you experience the benefits of devotion in its truest sense this year! ❤️
Thanks, Vinitha! I’m still finding my way with this word. And it’s still stalking me — it showed up in the most unexpected way and place (on a YouTube video on how humanity is at the cusp of a change) and in an email that sent a lot of lightbulbs flashing in my mind!
What a strong word, Shinjini. Look forward to read how this plays out in the months ahead. ♥
It is, isn’t it? I’m still trying to suss out what it means to me! I have a feeling this one is going to be a slow reveal…
Such a wonderful word to focus on this year. When I was trying to choose my word for 2021, I had a similar experience as you. I kept resisting it, but it would show up again and again in various ways, until I finally accepted it (it was Uncertainty). Thankfully this year’s word for 2022 came easily. 🙂
I can see why you would resist Uncertainty as a word!
Love the divinity around your words and art. Great choice I say, Shinj. Have a blessed, and abundant 2022 overflowing with unbridled devotion.
Love and hugs
Here’s mine:
https://natashamusing.com/2022/01/balanced-flow-wordoftheyear-woty2022/
Thanks so much, Natz! Loved the serendipity around your word too!
This is my first time starting the One Word journey. It’s so interesting to read about others experiences, past and present.
My word popped up for me immediately when I thought about joining in: CONNECT. I didn’t have to ponder or think about it at all, just to investigate why and what this word means to me. That will take me the next 12 months I am sure!
What a lovely word with so many possibilities! I would love to hear how your word shows up for you through the year.
This year, my word is SOVEREIGNTY. I struggled with it, I thought that it couldn’t possibly be my word until it started showing up everywhere. So, as one does when that happens, I surrendered to it. I’m also carrying my word from 2020 forward for a third year because we aren’t done with each other yet and that word is SACRED.
I’m still trying to figure out what SOVEREIGNTY looks like for me. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how that can possibly be my word.