My One Little Word for 2018

I’ve never been the kind who makes New Year resolutions or writes down goals. Like a true Taurean, I just get on to doing something till I achieve it, or till I realize it’s not meant for me!

This year I was introduced to a new concept by a couple of wonderful bloggers – One Little Word. It is originally a concept of Ali Edwards from Oregon, USA since 2006, who explains the concept very simply as “A single word can be a powerful thing.” (https://aliedwards.com/one-little-word)

I see it as one word or theme to live your year and your life by – be it in your relationships, be it at work or home, be it with your projects, be it with your goals, etc. The word should inspire and motivate you to keep moving towards something better.

I saw some fellow UAE Mom Bloggers come up with some wonderful ideas for their own words for 2018 and it got me thinking what is the one thing lacking in me?

I found the answer without much thought. I need to be more PRESENT  in my situations and relationships.

Since childhood, I’ve known myself to perform better when I multitask.  In school and university, I used to study for my exams while watching TV. I won a top performer award at my university so I think it always worked in my favor. I realised that I could do better at certain tasks if I was doing something else alongside too.

Lately, however, I have realised that my need to multitask might also be a need to not be alone at most times – I have a habit to call my sister or my husband when I am walking to run some errands, or listening to music when cooking in the kitchen after the kids are in bed.

With most of my e-commerce business being run on my phone, I am almost always on my phone, even when I am spending time with the kids. Social Media doesn’t help either. The need to reach out and click a picture of what the kids are doing, is coming in the way of things too. This has to SLOW DOWN, if not completely STOP.

I have tried taking small steps like gadget-free meal times for us all, but I need to go further. My mummy brain cannot perform well with multi-tasking and my frustration is only increasing by the day.

I have realised, I need to be fully PRESENT
– in everything I do with my kids, from crafting to playing at the park and everything in between.
– ‎in conversations with my parents, grandparents and in-laws, who are not getting any younger.
– ‎in those fortunate few moments that my husband and I can get time for ourselves.
– ‎in those precious memories I wish to make with my family and friends.
– ‎in those rare moments of solitude I get for myself!

I understand that I have little kids, and it is not easy not to be distracted when they are around, but I need to take time out and deal with those situations and people at a different time.

I cannot stop myself from taking pictures of our special moments, but I need to put the phone down as soon as I’m done.

I cannot keep my mobile notifications off, but I can definitely try to keep my mobile face down so I don’t get distracted by them.

I can switch off the laptop, TV, music when having a conversation.

I can do so much more if I try a little bit harder…

Wish me luck on this journey of mine to live it up in my PRESENT!

Do you have a one little word of your own for 2018? Please drop me a line in the comments below.