New Year, New Word
Tallyho, friends! I made a pact with the homies that we’d be bringing back some words from the past and give them a fresh start. Tallyho was first on the list and so, bam! That’s what you all just got hit with.
It’s been a minute. If you follow me on FB or IG, you know some of the things that have taken up time and space in my life. But, it’s a new year and I often get asked about my word of the year and then about vision boards so I thought I’d let you all know where I landed with where I’m going to go in 2023.
As has been the custom in the last few years, I’ve selected a word and then 3 anchor words to ground my word in. Without further ado, here they are:
Audacious (adj) ȯ-ˈdā-shəs intrepidly daring. recklessly bold. contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum. marked by originality and verve.
Soft (adj) sôft pleasing or agreeable to the senses : bringing ease, comfort, or quiet. smooth or delicate in texture, grain, or fiber. demanding little work or effort. moving in a leisurely manner. having curved or rounded outline : not harsh or jagged. marked by a gentleness, kindness, or tenderness.
Opulent (adj) ˈäpyəl(ə)nt,ˈōpyəl(ə)nt amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation. having a large estate or property : WEALTHY.
Free (adj) frē not subject to the control or domination of another. not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself. relieved from or lacking something and especially something unpleasant or burdensome. not bound, confined, or detained by force. having a scope not restricted by qualification. not obstructed, restricted, or impeded. Outspoken. availing oneself of something without stint. overly familiar or forward in action or attitude.
As I rounded out 2022, a lot of things came into clear focus that helped me land on these particular words. Things have not been easy. They never really have been. But this year, I was reminded, both by experience and divination, that overextending myself is not good. Also not good, the propensity that I have of putting myself into situations where I am giving, thinking that I am doing good when, in fact, I’m either being taken advantage of or, the minute I shift and say no, I become the bad guy in a situation where I’ve been nothing but caring and giving. In that sense, I’ve been taking away from myself in such a way that causes harm to me and to those that truly love and need me. So, that has to come to an end. I don’t always want to be fighting a battle, especially when I take up arms for others that might not spit on me if I was on fire. I want softness. I want freedom. I want to care for myself in a way that will model for others how they should care for me (if they so choose to be in that role). I want opulence in my life. I work my ass off and I want to be able to sink into and absorb all of the fruits of my labor.
I want to be audacious AF! I’ve always had the underpinnings of an audacious mofo but, I want that audaciousness front and center. I think a lot of this will be more readily seen in the projects that I put out this year, including new products that are coming to the apothecary (that I may or may not have told you about).
This week I launched 3 shirts that I love and hope to add more products (and eventually services) to the apothecary. I’ve been holding back on making big moves but, I can’t possibly pick a word of the year with all that power and not try and utilize that to propel my passion into the outer regions of the universe.
Above all, I continue to gain depth in understanding about how my actions influence how people act around me. Over and over again, I’ve thought if I am a good, kind and fair person then that would be reciprocated. I’ve found that isn’t always the case. Some people will take what you give, without acknowledgement or care and then the minute you put down a boundary, you become the villain. These have been important lessons that have allowed me to appreciate the people in my life that don’t prescribe to that frame of thinking. It’s also fortified my resolve to make the changes needed.
There’s a grief about all this that will need a whole other post but, I wanted to acknowledge that. If I’m honest, I’ve shed many tears in the last few days grieving losses while also openly acknowledging the places and spaces where I’ve put people in positions they did not deserve and could never live up to.
Quietly sitting in a corner are the words and the excitement for the path I started on a few months back. It’s been painful, lonely, eye opening, freeing and heartbreaking all at once. I’m grateful for it all!
Let’s get ready for this audacious year! You can start by copping one of dem shirts or any number of herbs, conjurings or compounds created by yours truly over at the apothecary.
Have you picked a word to ground you in this new year?