My One Word for 2022: Rhythm
This year, I chose Rhythm as my one word for 2022. After two years of constant adaptation and changed plans, I want to get back to more joyful consistency. Rhythm seems to encompass both concepts for me: the joy of dancing and singing, and the reliability of patterns that feel right.
Five years ago I started using a focus word for every year. My experience with New Year Resolutions had been lukewarm. Often, I had forgotten by February, or they weren’t relevant anymore come summer. In contrast, the One Word approach helps me to focus on process instead of end results, something that’s important for a solution-oriented person like myself. It allows me to stop and think how small decisions fit into my overall philosophy instead of switching directly into getting-stuff-done mode.
For comparison, here are past words:
Rhythm as a plan, rhythm as a result
Finding the word is a backward process. This time I used the Restory//Annual workbook to reflect on the past year, find patterns, and assess priorities. Smack in the middle of the process my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The following conversations added a yearning for more recurring joy into my own journey. I crave more movement, more music, more savouring, more deep conversations.
These ideas aren’t difficult, abstract, or out of reach. Most of the time they don’t even require much planning. I do have to remember what brings me joy, though, so I can make sure to put it into my agenda. Otherwise, it is easy to get swallowed up in responsibilities, parenting, work, and a never ending to do list. I once did this exercise where for one week I substituted every “I have to” with “I want to” (or “I choose to”) - the shift is mind boggling.
Rhythm for joy, rhythm for growth, rhythm for expansion
As I was looking into things that bring me joy on a regular basis, I discovered different rhythms. Movement, writing, music, even work - these need to happen almost daily for me to get into the flow and feel the impact. Then there are yearly or twice a year events like my birthday celebration or vacations with my social group. In the middle I see activities like studying (weekly), having friends over (at latest monthly), trying out new fancy restaurants (about every other month), going to the theater or opera (every quarter maybe).
The rhythm of these activities shifts the very nature of their purpose - from sustaining mental health through daily and weekly practices, to celebrating connection and being alive. This table shows the relationship between the cadence of different rhythms, the purpose they hold for me, and how I wish to add them to my day to day.
Of course, I have already set up a system to make sure I don’t miss a beat accidentally. This time, a paper agenda and active place holders are part of the equation.
Happy 2022!