Welcome to One Little Word 2012.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, the idea is rather than making a long list of resolutions for you have no intention to keep, you choose a single word to focus on for the year.
My word for the past year and half has been ADVENTURE.
I chose this as my word in the summer of 2009 when Adam was coming home from Afghanistan and we made the big move from Colorado to Texas. I figured new location+new job=new adventures and I wanted to make sure I was in the right mind frame to embrace all the change. And I have to say, I LOVED this word. It’s a word that I know will stay with me for a long time to come.
But after a year and half, it’s time to focus on a new word.
So the word I’ve chosen for 2012 is…
CONNECT.
I’ll admit this word kind of terrifies me a little bit. Ok maybe a lot, haha.
But I also think that’s a sign it’s the right word for me. Because it’ll push me out of my comfort zone.
And if I’m being honest, I definitely need that push.
A year ago when we moved here to Texas, I made the decision to give this little design business a real shot. And so in February I opened up NettioDesigns and for the most part I’ve really loved it.
But what I don’t think I anticipated was how lonely it can get working at home by myself all the time. I mean, it’s not like I’m a stranger to being alone – I’ve done two deployments! But add in the fact that this military base we’re currently stationed at is largely a training base where people only stay for a few months and well, it’s been a bit hard to get motivated to get out and meet people. Even more so when running your own business from home – there’s always something to be done.
Which is why I’ve chosen CONNECT as my word for this year. Because I want to focus more on connecting: with people, with life, and with myself, both online and offline.
And to keep myself extra motivated this year, I’m participating in Ali Edwards’ One Little Word class over at Big Picture Classes.
This month’s prompt was to fill up a pocket page protector with 9 cards – 5 word cards from Ali and 4 cards of our own making. Since I’m doing my layouts all digitally, I used Traci Reed’s 8.5×11 Slip Ins for my pockets and combined them with a brand new collab kit from Shawna Clingerman which will be being released this weekend. I really love how it turned out!
I don’t know where CONNECT is going to take me this year but I sure am excited (and a wee bit nervous) to see how this word-y adventure (like how I worked it in? ) pans out. Should be interesting for sure!
So what about you? Anyone else playing along with One Little Word? What word have you chosen for 2012?
Psst…looking for an awesomely easy way to capture your One Little Word for this year? Check out my It’s Goal-tastic Template Pack in the NettioDesigns Shoppe.
This is a great word and very Challenging for you and your situation. I feel similar even tho I work every day….people are so busy we forget to forge relationships….even if it’s just a friendly banter. So good for you committing to a purposeful goal.
Julie
So true! The last office job I had was like working in a library. People spoke in whispers and a lot of people ate lunch alone at their desks. It was the weirdest thing! Sometimes I think we all just embrace being busy since it’s easier than making a real effort which is kind of sad…
I can relate to this so much! My husband is military as well and we’re also at a training post right now. While I don’t necessarily work at home, I homeschool my four children, and that’s a lot like working. It has definitely been a challenge to find connections here, but I am just now starting to do just that…just in time to move again in a few months!
I love both of your layouts! I had to get the your goaltastic templates yesterday as soon as I saw your OLW layout. I really like what you did with your layout for Ali’s class. I’m taking it, too. I’m looking forward to seeing where my word is going to take me this year.
Yes, exactly! With the military it’s always like if you aren’t moving someone else will be. Makes it hard sometimes!
What font did you use for your quote? So cute,
Love your “slip ins”…will you be making one for each of the OLW layouts?
I would love to use them to met my goal of doing one project all digital this year.
The font for the quote is Museo Slab. You can get the 500 weight of the font (which is what I used) for free at MyFonts: http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/exljbris/museo-slab/
And yes, my plan is to use the same kraft paper and slip-ins for all my OLW layouts assignments for Ali’s class. I plan to switch up the kits each month so I figure that’ll still provide some cohesive with all the pages. Should be fun!
I didn’t sign up for the class but I picked my word for the year as well – Start.
Love your layout!
Ooo, start is a great word! Made me instantly think of this artwork from Elise Blaha: http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2011/01/just-start-original-art.html
Good luck with your OLW for the year!
Ohhh thank YOU for sharing that post. That is exactly what I remember reading/seeing the day I decided to pick the word. Just Start. Thank you for the link 🙂
No problem! Glad I could help!
I can totally relate to how you feel. My husband got out of the Navy in 2011. He was in for 8 years and we moved from Texas to South Carolina then to Virginia. It can be very lonely. I think it’s great your pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Even though we met many people we will never see again, we did meet a couple of really great life long friends. What part of Texas are you guys in? We moved to the Houston area last summer.
We live in San Antonio. 🙂 We’ve been to Houston a couple of times, mostly for football/baseball games since there isn’t any of that here. It’s a fun city! Crave Cupcakes is one of our fave stops, haha.
I hadn’t heard of them. Definitely going to check them out!
Hi,
I am also doing OLW and Ali’s Class and my word is Connect. Your pages look great and I love the quote, it is n’t one I found when I was looking! Is there any chance you would consider splitting the goal-tastic pack and selling each individually? I would love to use the OLW template, but don’t think I would use the others.
Holly
Hi Holly! Right now I don’t have any plans to sell individual templates from that pack separately but if I do at some point, I’ll be sure to let you know.