I feel so horrifically naive when I look back on this post published last January, before the world lit up on fire and our little bambina graced us with her presence. And yet, the word I chose couldn’t have been more perfect, because 2020 forced all of us out of our comfort zones, to bend with the will of the world and the circumstances of the pandemic. We didn’t want to, but we contorted anyway—packed our busy schedules into new environments and “bent with the wind” in ways we never imagined were possible. “Bend” was the perfect word then, and I think the word I chose for 2021 follows in the same footsteps but allows for something completely different, too.
The tail end of 2020 forced me to rethink a lot of things. Maybe it’s the pandemic, maybe it’s Maybelline, maybe it’s the fact that I have run out of fucks to give, maybe it’s Mila, and perhaps it’s just me… Once I turned that calendar year, something clicked—I don’t want to waste another moment on things that don’t matter in the end. I’ve been pivoting since March 2020, I might as well make it official and announce it as the 2021 word of the year lol. My job has changed (sadly so has my income though I’m grateful to still be employed), my relationships have shifted (some have sadly gone off the rails), the politics of this country has thrown everything upside down, the childcare and help I had hoped for pre-Covid is no longer an option, and it’s all been a very hard pill to swallow.
What I’ve learned is that I have to pivot to stay afloat: think on my feet, act fast, make many hard and impossible decisions. This life might not be what any of us imagined, but we have to make it work and find peace in unrest.
So, we pivot.
What’s your word of the year, friends? Also here are some other word of the year posts if you’d like to look back (OR maybe you need some inspiration for the new year).
I LOVE the word pivot, though I can’t help but think of Ross on Friends. But it makes so much sense. We have to pivot to adapt to this new world we’re living in. Love it. And love you my friend.
I also thought of Ross from Friends! Love it. I don’t love what you wrote about job/relationships, but I always think great things and opportunities hide behind change.
My word is flow, which is totally about breastmilk flowing (better), and about going with the flow.
In changing times we must adapt. Or suffer. Adapting is hard but usually results in improvement to our lives. Keep it up! Happy New Year.
What a great word for 2021! I haven’t thought of my word for the year yet. Although, “Survive” is the word that keeps coming to mind…
LOVE this! And it’s really perfect. Mine is a phrase which I’ll be posting next week for a feature I participate in.
Happy new year Charlotte!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I don’t know that I have a word for 2021. Pretty sure I didn’t pick one last year, but I have in the past. I don’t know…I’ll have to think about it. I do think Pivot is a great one though. Sometimes life just throws things at you and all you can do is pivot. Just keep going. I hope that 2021 is a much better year for all of us – with a lot more hope and positive change. It’s not off to a great start, but *fingers crossed*.
-Lauren
Pivot will never NOT make me think of Friends! LOL I love your word choice. It seems so fitting… because I definitely feel like we’ve been pivoting for a while, every single one of us.
Maybe it’s maybelline. LOLOL
Love you xo