Every year-end I could be seen swamping with new ideas and also fear about the future. It has got more to do with having a lot of expectations for the new year – hope, belief and wanting to do everything that would, in turn, bring me happiness and a sense of pride and victory.
This year is no different. I have so many things lined up for 2019 and I’m crossing my fingers (and curling my toes) to have the energy to accomplish them all. But before I get into that, let me tell you about Word of the Year.
Many believe in making resolutions for the new year. Sadly, these resolutions remain untouched, unaccomplished as days go by. And because of this, you’d feel a sense of regret and also feel sorry about yourself for not being able to tick them off your list.
I have stopped making resolutions for five years, and instead, focused more on having a word that would represent my year ahead.
What do you mean by Word of the Year?
Word of the Year or WOTY is a single word that would help you figure out what you want from the year, your expectations, where you want to spend your energy on, or what you want to improve upon.
For example, I was going through a difficult time in 2015 and 2016, having my heart being broken, ripped into pieces and going through a never-ending, everlasting seething pain. It was only natural that I chose the word ‘Embrace‘ in 2015 and ‘Focus‘ in 2016.
I wanted to stop fighting so hard on people who were just not worth my time or emotions. I took some life-altering decisions including choosing a life with the soldier over my career.
In 2017, I wanted some kind of progress in what I did in life. I wanted to travel more and grow my blogs, more than anything else. It paid too. Husband and I traveled to Thailand and it was a vacation that brought us closer. Having spent more than 15 days in a stunning island without any kind of work pressure and stress was truly beautiful. That was what the word ‘Thrive‘ did to me.
| Read 26 posts on Thailand – the do’s and don’t, places to visit, things to do, and almost everything.
That brings me to 2018 where I chose the word ‘Savor‘. I wanted to Live in the Moment – that’s all I wanted to do. To put my feet up and relax. To breathe and let go. I could do that and I am pretty happy that 2018 was one of the best years I had in life. Living in this paradise – Pithoragarh, rightly called Chota Kashmir, made me open up to nature and truly savor all that it had to offer. I made some amazing friends as well.
The year started off with traveling to Amritsar and visiting the Golden Temple for the second time. I cannot express in words what I felt when I was in his Abode but I tried writing a blog post about it.
| Read: In the Abode of Peace and Serenity
I read some amazing books including Poonachi, Erotic stories of Punjabi Widows, One, Premalekhanam, Wonder, among many others.
| Read: My book reviews
But the best part of 2018 was having a furball all to myself. Mufasa aka Muffy, my Golden Retriever is one of the best things that has happened in my life. He is the blessing that I yearned for and I cannot thank this beautiful baby for all the love he showers upon us every single moment of his life. He is turning one, btw. Ah, how time flies! There is a giveaway on his Instagram account for all pet lovers and petstagrammers. If you have got a pet, you may want to participate.
| Find Muffy’s Instagram account
I am also glad that my YouTube channel dream had come true and my food blog is doing good. I was one of the five finalists shortlisted among hundreds of entries for the Women’s Web Orange Flower Award. I hope to strive hard and win it next year.
| Find my Food Blog Something’s Cooking
I did have some downs and confusions. But all in all, I am glad that 2018 happened to me. Now, this brings me to the WOTY 2019.
Word of the Year 2019 | WOTY 2019
As I said at the beginning of this post, I am all pumped up and is brimming with energy and excitement. I am going to do just the opposite of what I had done last year, that was to slow down and relish each moment. This year I want to be out there, ticking off everything that I want to do in life. I want to do anything and everything that I can and give it my best shot.
And that’s why,
My Word for 2019 is …
Oh yes, you heard it right! Such a negative word, but I want to just kill it- as the millennials would say. I am so determined to nail this year in all aspects of my life – be it health, relationships, or work. I want to be that Goal Digger!
My 365 Days project is here (Yet again!) – Slaying It In 2019! Starting today, I would be taking pictures and posting them on Instagram under the hashtag #SlayingItIn2019
You may want to follow me there.
Follow me on Instagram @kohleyedcapers
So, here’s to an exciting 2019!
Do you have a WOTY? Let me know in the comment section.
Love your choice of word, Shalini!
Slay doesn’t sound negative at all, in fact I love it!
Here’s wishing you use it to your advantage and have a fabulous 2019!
Thank you very much, Mayuri. Wish you a fantastic 2019 🙂
Slay sounds kick-arse and not negative at all. I hope you do slay it in 2019! 2018 sounded great too. I didn’t settle for one year but rather a motto/intention which anyway ties in with my values. Happy 2019 Shalini!
Woohooo! Thanks, Sanch! That makes me feel real good 🙂 Happy 2019 to you too!
Thats a wonderful word, hope you slay every single day of 2019.Wish you a very happy and memorable 2019 😀
Thank you and wish you the same 🙂
Wishing you a bright, happy, progressive year Shalini! And as the others say, the word ‘Slay’ has grown to include positive connotations now.
Wishing you lots of opportunities, and a special bear hug to Muffy for being such an integral part of your life. Happy first birthday to him!
Thank you so very much, Mam. Yes, Muffy is the blessing of my life for he showers us with unconditional love every minute of the day. Ah, I can’t imagine I had a life before him 🙂
I don’t think it’s negative at all. 🙂 It’s something I hope to do, though I didn’t put it as a WOTY. Will enjoy your #Project365. Hope your 2019 is all what you want it to be!
Thank you very much, V. I hope you have a fantastic 2019 too!
Wow now thats a word that kicks up action in the butt!! Love it Shalini and I hope you SLAY all the dragons that trouble you and win all the favours 2019 has to offer to you. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous year ahead.
I think I have been loving your muffytales all year along, especially the book stories! That is just too brilliant for words. Sadly am not on Youtube – somehow I just dont like this medium so havent really checked out your channel. But your recipes are being tried out by me and I must say I love the compliments I get everytime. I have introduced my sister ( a non blogger) to your cooking blog as she loves to cook. She too loved some of your recipes. Huge thanks from her.
Your book reading challenges have inspired me so much; your post was done just too well for me to resist 😉 Loving your choices for Erin challenge though I am stuck for the direction prompt.
So I am doing up my lists today and hopefully will have the post up by tomorrow.
Look forward to some funtime in 2019 and all the best with your 365 days project. XOXO
Thank you for your kind words, Shalini. Muffy is my blessing in life and everything he touches turns to gold. I love how his Instagram account is turning out and is grateful for all the love he receives. I’m so happy to know that you try out the recipes I share on my blog. Yay!! And also elated to see you participating in the reading challenges. 🙂
Slaying it more, I would say. I love your insta account and I was always a fan of your cooking website. Great going Shalini. Slay it.
Thank you, Lata. That truly means a lot <3
That’s a GREAT word, Shalini! I couldn’t decide on just one word so I picked two! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and here’s to you slaying it every day in every way!
That is amazing!! Wow! Hopping onto your blog to know what they are. Happy 2019 to you too 🙂
Loved reading this post! Here’s wishing you all the best with the slaying and projects and fun dear 🙂
Thank you, Ishieta 🙂
That sounds just like you, Shalini! I’m sure you will do justice to your choice of word this year. Slay it well! Wishing you fantastic slaying days ahead! 😀
Thank you very much, Vinitha. Hope you have a fantastic 2019!
Muffy is the cutest dog ever. I just want to hold him 😍 . Your pictures of Pithoragarh are an absolute delight to see. Hopefully you will have your Youtube account as well this year. Wish you all the success in your endeavors.
Have an awesome year ahead.
Thanks, Raj <3 Happy new year to you too!
I love how you mix up your WOTYs. After Savour it’s definitely time for Slay. It is such an action word. And I love that. Sounds like you’ll be out there living life to the fullest. It is inspiring, makes me want to get up and do something too, something different and exciting.
Good luck to you Shalini. I’ll look forward to your posts.
Ah, thanks Tulika! Truly means a lot <3
Slay is overused in my home due to the presence of teens. I kind of like the word. It is stylish and it really denotes action. I wish you all the best with the goals that you have mentioned!
Thank you, Rachna!
Muffy had to be the best part of the year, no doubt at all ❤
Slay is such a kick-arse word and I’m so proud of you for choosing it! It sounds so positive and energetic and I hope that is exactly what this year is for you.
Wishing you loads of travel, good health and love this year!
Wow! Thanks, Soumya! I feared the word would come out all wrong. Thanks for all the love you’ve showered upon Muffy all these months. <3
I am in love with Muffy. I want to come visit you so I could give him a BIGGG hug. I am happy you had a great 2018, I hope you have better 2019. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Thank you, Harini! If you come to a hilltop, then please do 🙂
What a good choice that is Shalini! 🙂 Love it!
I am sure you will SLAY 2019 with more of tales from Muffy and your travel, your amazing recipes and you-tube videos along with the updates on reading 🙂
Wishing you a fulfilling 2019, Shalini. Hugs!
Thank you very much, Parul, Means a lot 🙂
Ha ha ha, I loved your WOTY. Just Slay it, I would follow your hashtag on Instagram. Slay is not a negative word, on the contrary, it shows your determination to achieve and accomplish. All the best in #slayingitin2019. BTW, just finished reading Poonachi and it is such an awesome book.
Thank you, Balaka. And I am super glad that you loved reading Poonachi 🙂
Slay it all Shalu… The negativity, the useless words that people float around and just bring on that fighter spirit.
You will rock this year girl. :))
Thank you very much, Ramya. Fingers crossed 🙂
Hey that is wonderful! I used to make up a word for the year during the time I used to write diary almost every year. But then it takes more than a year for me to master that words that I have for the year – be it to ‘focus’ on what I really want to do, sort out my ‘priorities’, or work on my ‘plan’. It is so much more helpful than resolutions.
Anyway, wish you a happy new year and may you slay 2019!
Slay it in 2019. More power to you. God bless
SLAY away, my brave girl!May all that you wish to do this year, be fulfilled and make you one of the happiest people on the planet!
Loads of hugs to Muffykins!
Have a fantastic year!!
And pray, why did you think I wouldn’t like it! It’s awesome. And in case you haven’t realised already you’ve been quietly slaying it last year too! ♥
I love your WOTY. Not negative at all. You go for it girl! Kill it! 😀
Wishing you a rocking 2019!