checking in {6.23}

It’s time! We’re checking in with our words. The link party’s up and stays open through Sunday. 

Join here. Let’s catch up!

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When I wrote June’s prompt, I thought it’d be easy.

And it was, in a way.

I looked back at my notes and my posts for the first half of Ask and found each month more or less crystallized into a single takeaway (with some context, naturally):

I’m glad I take time to do this because some, like February, had slipped from my radar. And others (like May!) I never want to forget.

Some years this re-cap is fuller, fancier, wordier. But I’m liking simplicity here: I divided a half-sheet of paper from the recycling bin, summarized each month’s word work, then circled what’s at the heart. (I considered it a draft, at first. A precursor to something prettier. But? I’m keeping it. As-is.)

A side note: Looking back at variations on this half-sheet, with Other Words from Other Years, I've noticed cumulative results from my One Word practice. In general-- not as a rule, but in general --  more sticks from year to year. I may not master the work (though I've nailed a few big things since my start in '15). But I'd say it builds. Like stickers on a guitar case. Collected, over time. The case you carry today is not the same case you had when you learned your first chords. 

Anyway. It’s time well spent to look back at my word so far this year. I’ll do it again, on a full page, in December.

The other part of my prompt was to Ask myself:

What do I need from summer?

But I’ve since spun it around and asked:

What do I need to bring to summer?

(It’s the second time I’ve done this, recently.) (Turned a question back on myself.)

The answer? Flex and Flow.

Or —

And while the answer was easy, executing it will be…less easy.

Mostly because of the season we’re in.

Which is mid-life.

Our kids (at home) (so strange to say) turn 12 and 16 this summer. One has a job. There are sports. Activities. Friends. And moods! Are. There. Moods. So, what I think a day…or a conversation…or a moment might look like/feel like/be? It’s often…not.

I’ve gotten good at being like water in my body…i.e., managing my time and building my days around the needs of my family for the past few decades…but I’m less good (like, not good at all) at being like water in my mind.

That means moods — my own and others’ — are somewhat of a challenge.

(It’s more than just moods. It’s…y’know. Expectations. Curveballs. Triggers. And it crescendos from there. But. If I could flex and flow better with moods — everyone’s! all around! — I’m certain it’d pack a powerful punch.)

So back to what I thought would be easy in June: Identifying ‘flex and flow.’ That was easy, indeed. It’s the actual flexing and flowing that’ll take a lobotomy ongoing effort.

(But if I can do it — and it sticks? Well, I’m up for that.)

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A highlight from June: Regular readers may remember I hosted an in-person One Word workshop at my local library last winter. This month, we gathered for a mid-year check-in, and I’m ecstatic to say more than half are still with it! A remarkable number, really.

They shared a gamut of what’s come of their words so far this year: from playful daily high-5’s (APPRECIATE) to booking a trip to Argentina (REACH). We had a new, currently unhoused young man join the conversation, and he’s considering body-mind-spirit angles on ACTIVE ’23.

It’s exciting to sit around a table with One Worders ranging from early 30s to almost 80, connecting…sharing…growing…and already daydreaming about next year’s words. (Tempting as it is, I cautioned them not to consider a ’24 word too soon!)

Thanks for popping in today. I look forward to catching up with you and your word this week. That link, once again.