Back in December, I declared 2018 to be my year of healing.
I’ve been giving myself a word for the year since 2015, and I’ve found it a fruitful and focused way to intentionally navigate each year.
Designating a word for each year helps shape what I read and how I spend my time.
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In 2015, my word was boundaries.
I faced boundary challenges in relationships like never before that year. Sadly, I didn’t even read the book Boundaries until January of this year, as boundaries are still something I struggle with to this day.
In 2016, my word was discipline.
This word manifested mostly in me being more disciplined with my eating habits and exercise, as I intentionally focused on eating the Trim Healthy Mama way during the first half of the year–and incorporating gentle exercise through Fit2B into my daily routine. I also focused on getting a good amount of sleep each night.
The result of this discipline is that I felt better than ever, got pregnant (even when we had been told it was no longer possible), and I was somehow, miraculously disciplined enough to write the manuscript for my first book during that year.
In 2017, my word was savor.
This word came to me at the end of 2016, after we had begun preparing our home for our new baby boy. When I looked over at the bassinet just waiting to be filled, the word “savor” immediately popped into my head. I knew that the Lord wanted me to savor my son’s first year.
We knew that, most likely, he would be our last child. Our family went through many struggles during our daughters’ newborn days, and I wanted to really savor this last time of having a baby.
And savor I did. I got less work done than any other year in 2017 (I mean–writing a second book and launching the first book definitely kept me busy, but I stopped running on the hamster wheel of blogging so much), but I can say with 100% certainty that I savored the year.
It wasn’t without resistance, though. We spent the first half of the year going from doctor’s appointment to doctor’s appointment and therapy appointment to therapy appointment as both Baby Boy and I had injuries from the childbirth.
But when things became frantic, I was able to stop, breathe, pray, and savor all of God’s blessings around me–our new son, our 3 daughters, our home, and God’s provision for all of our needs.
Back to my 2018 word: Healing.
When I look back at 2017, I accomplished savoring to a T, but the year was also extremely stressful. Most of those stressful events and circumstances were outside of my control, but late in the year I realized that I was starting to feel burnt out again–perhaps even sinking back into adrenal fatigue.
I needed to re-focus on taking care of myself.
Busy wives, moms, and homemakers are notorious for neglecting themselves, and I’m no different.
When it comes to self-care and healing, it can feel like we’re up against an uphill battle. At least I know that’s how it’s felt for me in the past–and especially here lately.
For 2018, I’m seeking healing in a variety of areas of my life:
Healing in my Marriage: As I recount in my memoir, More Than Just Making It , my husband and I have been through intense marriage crisis in the past. At the time, we had very little money to pour into counseling. When our financial situation turned around, we made the excuse that we were “too busy” for counseling.
We now know that we will never not be “busy” in some way. If we want to find healing in our marriage, we have to make time to do the work. So in late 2017, we began marriage counseling.
Healing in my Physical Health: Without going into too many details, I’ve had some symptoms of hormonal imbalances since our son was born. I also have a strong family history of diabetes and cancer (my father and sister have diabetes and my mom had ovarian cancer).
I don’t feel like these are things I can ignore, so I’ve been taking steps to be very proactive in both healing and prevention. I’m seeing both my general practitioner who is a holistically-minded MD as well as a naturopath. When I feel like something is off, I don’t hesitate to seek out advice.
(And please do not take offense to this, but do not take this information as your sign to email me about a supplement you are taking that has “changed your life.” I am working with highly-educated professional healthcare providers who have done testing and know my entire history and have made a customized wellness plan for me.)
I also see emotional and spiritual healing as a HUGE part of the physical healing. I don’t think we can separate them from each other! With that said, the aforementioned counseling will also helping with healing in these areas–as will specific books I am reading.
Healing for my Business: Ok, so this one might sound strange. How do you find healing in your…business? And what is my business?
My business is this blog, and in the midst of my savoring of 2017, I cut way back in this space. Really, I spent time writing my books. But I also cut out contributing writers and did the bare minimum to keep the blog afloat while I focused on my son’s first year, part-time homeschooling my older children, running my home, and writing my books.
I’ve witnessed a sea of bloggers who began their sites around the same time or shortly before I did begin quitting or selling their blogs. I don’t want to do that. So I’m currently working with a business coach to learn how I can bring “healing” to The Humbled Homemaker–ways in which I can truly encourage you and point you to grace-filled, overwhelmed-less living in your own life–without neglecting my family or burning myself out.
If you’re looking for healing of any sort of 2018, I’m excited for you join us here in this space. Since 2011, my heart for this blog has been to encourage women to live a grace-filled life. No guilt, no shame.
Just come as you are, and we can learn together to overcome overwhelm and cultivate a grace-filled, natural life.
It’s not too late to discover your “one word” for this year. Sign up for my newsletter in the form below, and I’ll send you my free, one word printable brainstorming worksheet.
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This e-book is a resource you will be able to use again and again to help you hone in on your goals for the year. Get it here.
Micah | Home Faith Family
Erin, I’m so excited for your year of healing and I wish you the very best life has to offer. I smiled at your comment about savoring your little boy’s first year (he has the best name ever – just saying). Our little ones grow up so fast and although the days are crazy and hectic for us parents, when they’re over, we will be wishing them back. Have a happy day, friend and keep us updated on your journey this year.
Grand Pam
My word is still. Even in sleep, I constantly dream of the next list of things to do. I have a constant ringing in my ears that cannot be stopped and busy seems to be my middle name. I am seeking still.
LeeAnn G Taylor
My word for 2018 is Peace. “Let the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts….and be thankful.” So thankful for my own healing process happening this year. Cheers to yours, in all areas! 🙂
Kristen
I’m so excited to see what this year will bring for your business. What a blessing to be able to savor your time with family last year. I pray that your able to continue on that path this year as well. I have to say I love your blog and use it often as a model for mine.
M. wood
Thank you for sharing! That was my word last year and it was sooo good. Would you mind expanding on your hormone imbalance story? I’m six months post and feel something is off and just now thinking it could be PP. thanks!!!!
Megan Ross
I LOVE your bubble map printable! I was just looking for something like this for business planning for a friend ?. What a perfect use for one though! I’ve been thinking what my word of the year is…I struggle picking just one (FOMO?). Perhaps I’ll say “Marinate”, though savor may be better. I want to sink into my life, enjoy it, be content in it, and thrive in it, enjoy my kids, enjoy the journey, enjoy the animals, enjoy my marriage and enjoy GOD. There’s so many places to feel stress, and I want to take deep breaths and see the beauty of this life.
Lia
Thank you for reminding me to focus on purposeful seeking as the year starts. This year I choose the word wellness, as in emotional, social, physical Shalom. It is so worth to keep pressing on, not give up, there is always hope and a way back to healing for those who seek. I myself attended a healing herbs workshop last week and learned so much about herbs that I did not know (and I have been on a health journey for a long time!). My favorites I added to my day (and that is just me) Vitex Fruit and Lemon Balk. One for hormones, one for calmness without sleepiness. Perfect for late afternoons to calm me down before the dinner/craziness evening routines. I would love to hear what has worked for you.
duc thu
Thank you for sharing!
Mary Kate
Love this so much! My 2018 is very much about healing too. Last year brought about major health challenges, including surgery. This year, it is more than just bouncing back from that, but actually finding healing physically & spiritually.
Melissa Combs
Thanks for sharing, I’ve been struggling to find balance, focus or maybe routine? I’m not sure what to call it exactly. I have trouble finding the right words for this sort of thing but as I was reading through the comments the word “Grow” came to me. It seems to me that is what fits most. I’m trying to grow the biggest garden I’ve ever grown to date, I’m trying to grow my children in the values that matter to me, I’m trying to grow my own business and I’m trying to grow out of old habits and ways of thinking that have kept me stuck for so many years. I’m also doing a little shrinking, just discovered THM it was exactly the food guidance I needed right now. I could consider this a growth in nutrition and energy as well!
Thanks again, Just what I needed!
Anon
Would you share what books you’re reading for healing?
Erin
I recently finished “Changes that Heal.” It was amazing!
Kristin
I have always enjoyed your blog and the encouragement it brings. I contribute to one of my friend’s blogs and I know it’s a lot of work! I hope this year will bring healing in many ways for you. I decided that I’m not finished with my word from 2018, goodness, so I’m extending the one year challenge to two years. 😊