2022 - Word of the Year

Remember last January? Optimism was in the air as news of COVID vaccines held the promise that 2021 would bring an end to the global pandemic, or at least the chaos it has wrought.

Mother Nature had other plans, and here we are – fully-vaccinated and beginning 2022 with rising case-counts, advice to up our ‘mask-game,’ and ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions. It’s enough to make you want to hide under the covers until it’s all over.

But that, obviously, is not an option. Instead, we’re just going to have to do our best to adapt yet again. Which brings me to my word of the year:

FLOW

As a work-from-home mom of a hockey-playing teenage boy, I tend to live by my day planner. And I don’t like it when something knocks me off-course. So the past 21 months have been stressful, to say the least.

But looking back, I realize that I've managed to go over, under, around, or through every obstacle that 2021 threw my way. And despite the fact that my income took a hit last year, my business is still standing and the things that are truly important in life - family and friends - are all doing well.     
 

This year, I’m going to try and keep that truth in mind when I find myself stressing out over circumstances that are beyond my control. Instead of making myself miserable by trying to resist the unexpected, my goal is to take a deep breath and have faith that things will work out in the end – even if I can’t predict all the twists and turns on the road ahead. 

In short, I’m going to try to go with the flow.

I’ll let you know how it goes…. In the meantime, I wish you all a healthy, joyful, and prosperous 2022!

Nicole Laidler is a freelance reporter, copywriter and content creator, serving clients in London, Toronto and throughout Southwestern Ontario. She helps people grow their success, one word at a time.