Celebration… Word of the Year
No resolutions for me, nor setting any unattainable, unrealistic goals. I’m sticking to my annual commitment of establishing my word of the year… this is the practice of selecting one particular word that will serve as your motto, guide, or focus for the coming year…
A quiet and content goodbye to 2025 can be the loudest invitation to live more fully in 2026… and celebrate!
But first…
Have you ever heard of establishing a Word of the Year at the beginning of a new year?
Have you ever established one for yourself?
Establishing a Word of the Year is the practice of selecting one particular word that will serve as your motto, guide, or focus for the coming year. People go to great lengths to come up with a word that truly conveys what their intention or goal will be for themselves. Research may be employed to determine the best word; even prayer and meditation are used as guidance in selecting a word.
It is quite different from setting a New Year Resolution, a practice many of us may be more familiar with. Sometimes with resolutions, although we have the best intentions, we can create unrealistic and strict goals for ourselves that do not always foster growth and awareness. Resolutions give us a task that is to be finished, a box to be checked upon completion. When that task is not achieved, we may feel defeated and give up on that focus altogether.
In my opinion, with a Word of the Year, we have more flexibility to establish exactly what that word means for us individually. Any given word may have a completely different meaning and impact from one person to the next, and that is perfectly fine. That’s actually the beauty of it! YOU, and you alone, are in control of the interpretation and execution, in your own way and in your own time.
Now…
CELEBRATION is my Word of the Year for 2026!
“
: to say or show publicly that (someone or something) is great or important”
Merriam-Webster had several definitions for celebration, but I was intentional about choosing this specific one. That’s because it uses the work “publicly”, and that's not easy for me! Even with my line of work, working with the public, I’m still an introvert at heart. While I do share a lot of information publicly, I do not always share the little wins. But little wins matter too!:) We sometimes take small wins for granted, but they truly add up. Take a moment to think about small wins you’ve experienced. To get your mind moving in the right direction, I’ll share a few of my recent ones:
Making it to Christmas Eve church service in the midst of a changing schedule - Good for my spirit
Clearing about 1,000 photos (screen shots) from my phone - Good for my mind (and my data storage limits:/)
Remembering to take my daily vitamins - Good for my body
Confidently and kindly saying “no” when I needed to - Good for everything
Leaving my Fitbit behind at the condo where my hubby and I stayed for a weekend getaway - Good for my mind (even though I was stressed in the beginning, it’s been good to have a break from constantly stressing over the data)
Getting the opportunity to attend 3 different painting parties this season - Good for my heart (and creativity)
As I typed out these statements, I also realized that those small wins are also blessings for me. And when I think of them like that, I cannot help but celebrate and share publicly! The tiniest of wins are still wins. We do not need huge accomplishments to feel proud. Sometimes it’s the fact that you made (and finished drinking) a cup of tea, replied to one text message that you’d been dreading, or simply kept going while battling issues that no one knew about but you. You are doing better than you think, and that deserves your celebration.
According to Psychology Today, celebrating accomplishments, whether big or small, activates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, which boosts motivation and life satisfaction. Recognizing achievements helps solidify lessons learned and fosters a sense of progress, ultimately enhancing self-efficacy and self-esteem. Skipping celebrations can lead to increased stress and burnout, negatively impacting overall well-being.
So, with that being said, I’m wishing you the happiest of new years. My hope is that you celebrate it ALL, with ALL your might, privately and publicly! Tomorrow is not promised for any of us, so I recommend that we celebrate even the smallest wins. A WIN IS A WIN! And that’s a BLESSING!
Six Ways to Push Through Tough Workouts
…the proper & positive mindset necessary to push through a tough workout…
Progress over perfection.
How do you get yourself into the proper & positive mindset necessary to push through a tough workout?
Anticipate Success
Make a plan that is achievable but still challenges you. Think ahead through any obstacles you may face and how you plan to push through toward personal growth.
Remember that success does not necessarily mean that you completed 100% of your goal, it can also mean that you gave 100% of your effort! And that’s huge!
Set Realistic Goals
Big, bold, and audacious goals are absolutely amazing, BUT sometimes it’s important to break down your workouts into smaller, more achievable targets.
At times, it may be important to focus on just getting through the next set of bicep curls versus completing that new YouTube workout you’ve been stalking... maybe one more block versus one more mile on your walk... When the time is right & your mindset is right, you’ll get it done!
Check In with Yourself
When a client or class attendee noticeably or audibly winces, grunts, or groans, I’ll check in to ask how they’re doing. I’ll say something like, “are you in pain, or are you working?” By this, I’m trying to find out if some part of their body is physically hurting or if they are pushing themselves toward the next level.
They can only answer this question if they are in tune with & listening to their bodies. So check in and get comfortable with yourself in order to grow.
Talk Nicely to Yourself
Positive self-talk is quite necessary and will come in handy. There will be moments when you will question everyTHANG, want to pack it up, and leave! That’s when you remind yourself of how capable you are and worthy of creating your healthiest & happiest self.
Focus on shifting those negative thoughts into positive ones, allowing you to push through versus stopping.
Workout Buddy & Good Music
Never underestimate the power of a good workout buddy. Having someone by your side to push you to the next level, spot you, hold you accountable, and even laugh with you, is top-notch! Talk about motivation in real-time!
Now, good music is my jam (pun intended)! I can’t even say that I stick to one particular genre of music, I just choose songs and beats that match my vibe on that day or during that workout session. Music has the ability to help us celebrate good times and support us through tough ones. Find your rhythm and LOCK IN!
Reward Yourself
Set up a reward system to celebrate yourself as you hit milestones or mini-goals. Having something to look forward to can boost your motivation and make the effort feel more worthwhile.
These “rewards” don’t have to be expensive gifts or treats, unless that’s what motivates you. Rewarding yourself may be a relaxing bubble bath, watching an episode of your new favorite tv series, enjoying a special meal at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, or perhaps even new workout clothes!
One of the main things to remember is that you should always strive for progress over perfection. Show yourself some grace. If today (or today’s workout) didn’t go quite as planned, just start again… keep showing up!
Reclamation… The Act of Reclaiming My Best Me
No resolutions for me, nor setting any unattainable, unrealistic goals. I’m sticking to my annual commitment of establishing my word of the year… this is the practice of selecting one particular word that will serve as your motto, guide, or focus for the coming year…
2024 is in full swing, I’m experiencing wonderful blessings and exhausting trials already… But, I have the clarity to realize that just because the date changes, it doesn’t mean that life will stop life’ing! My ongoing goal is to better manage how I react to life’s ups and downs. One lesson I was forced (um, I mean encouraged) to experience last year was that you must make time for yourself in the midst of all that may be going on around you.
Listen to yourself as well as you would your very best friend…
Take care of yourself just like you would your firstborn child…
Speak to yourself as kindly as you would to someone who is preparing your food…
Speaking of food, feed your body with the goodness and nutrients that will fuel it to perform at its highest level…
And finally, move your body because you can. So many are not blessed with the ability to move, do, run, jump, go, or even walk!
With all of that being said, I’m committed to doing better BY me, FOR me, in this new year. No resolutions for me, nor setting any unattainable, unrealistic goals. I’m sticking to my annual commitment of establishing my word of the year… this is the practice of selecting one particular word that will serve as your motto, guide, or focus for the coming year. Read more about this practice here: "Word of the Year: Faith" Blog Post — The Body Quarry.
RECLAMATION is my Word of the Year for 2024!
“the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right:”
I wonder if you can relate to my reasoning for selecting RECLAMATION as my word of the year. Have you given more of yourself than you’ve poured into yourself lately? Have you failed to hold yourself to the highest standards of care…mentally, physically, and spiritually? I have. However, I’m focused on getting myself all the way together right now, so I can continue to give my best to others (knowing that it begins with ME)!
One of my main reclamation goals this year is to continue focusing on the proper NUTRITION for me. One year ago, I began my vegetarian journey by eliminating meat from my diet. I must say it hasn’t been the easiest, but I’ve been led by my desire to feel better through improved digestion and more energy. This is not a way of eating that works for everyone (my family is not vegetarian), but the KEY is to really dig in and take control of your nutrition and find what works best for you. I mean, really take the time to plan your meals. That would include a fair share protein, fat, & carbohydrate, and even figuring out how much to eat and when to eat it. Maybe you have the knowledge but have not been doing what you know you should be doing… maybe you haven’t had the time or ability to get the proper information and knowledge necessary to live a healthier lifestyle. No matter the concern, I can help. Take a minute to check out some of my nutrition guidance services! Nutrition Services offered by The Body Quarry — The Body Quarry
I also have a variety of ways to help bring MOVEMENT into your life! I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Zumba Instructor helping others achieve an active lifestyle since 2017. Whether you’d like to begin your journey in a one-on-one manner or with a group of like-minded people, I’ve got you covered. Just reach out! The Body Quarry's Customized Service Packages — The Body Quarry
Whether you choose to join me or not, just strive towards making the changes you need to make for yourself & for your health. If you choose to join me, just click the link below to reach out to me. We will discuss your options and how I can help! RECLAIM your definition of your best you, not someone else’s idea for what’s best for you. Do the research, make the changes, and move forward!
