The fire is roaring in the large stone fireplace in the lodge at Snowbasin Resort. Slowly I shuffle through my planner, journal, photos and notes from 2018. It is time for some self-reflection…

Nine years ago, I started changing my mind about New Year’s resolutions. Instead of a “to do” or “to don’t” list, I decided to set an intention for the year by choosing a word. These words are good friends, having traveled through pregnancies, races, newborn nights, toddler fits, doubts on parenting, victories at homeschooling, and major lifestyle changes.

These words have put the brakes on bad decisions, grabbed my hand and dragged me up mountains, refocused my mind, and provided a clear goal while allowing flexibility for whatever my year might bring. These words are writing my story.

TRANQUIL. GRATITUDE. STIRRING. BALANCE. STEADY. PRESENT. PEOPLE. STREAMLINED.

Looking back on 2018

I find it deeply ironic that I chose the word streamlined as my word for 2018 and then ended up spending 180 of those days traveling the country in our 25′ Safari Airstream! Airstreams have long been known for their superior towing experience (I agree) and are said to be more streamlined (maybe a urban legend).

Either way, travel we did. We packed up our three kids, 60 lbs. dog, Chris’ work computer, all the homeschooling books, and every outdoor toy we own and hit the road. We started by swinging south towards Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, then north through Colorado towards the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

We eventually reached the furthest reaches of Nova Scotia, visiting Acadia National Park and ALL the big cities. And ended by coming home in time for the snow to fly and ski season to start.

Life was streamlined and simple. We drove. We explored. The normal busyness of home life was a thing of the past. We truly embraced a “traveling with a black page” mentality, not really planning, ditching reservations, and going with how we felt and what worked with the weather and conditions. Those 180 days on the road were one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a family.

Turning towards 2019

I recently listened to a podcast by my friend, Kathy Dalton on Go Adventure Mom. Her guest, Talese Fernbach, kept returning to a three step principle that has stuck with me through the last couple weeks. She said, when approaching your life, your schedule and your plans, ask these questions:

1. Why am I doing this?
2. Why am I doing this now?
3. Does this add value to my life?

I’ve been using this wisdom as I turn towards the future. I still have no idea what this year has for me. But one word has been echoing in my mind.

Enough (adj.)

1. adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire:

I have enough. I am enough. I am sufficient for my life, my family, my purpose. All I’ve been given is enough. I don’t need more. But I’ve also had enough. Enough of status quo, enough dancing to someone else’s tune, enough of small dreams. Enough worrying about what people think, or doing things just because I am expected to.

Last year I wrote this in my journal:

I do feel like I’ve left so many of my walls behind. I started living outside the walls that I had built around myself, the box that society put me in. But I still have a long way to go. Every day threatens to shove me back to the known and comfortable.

So here is to “enough” and to 2019.  What is your word for the year?