Chapter 1: The Concept of a Yearly Word

You may have come across the trend of selecting a "word of the year" to guide your life for the next twelve months. I stumbled upon this idea last year while browsing through Twitter, and it seems to be gaining traction on Medium as the new year approaches. While it might sound a bit extreme to suggest that your entire existence should revolve around a single word, it’s not as dire as having to forfeit parental rights if you skip a day of journaling!

Instead of adhering to a strict resolution, adopting a word for the year serves as a gentle, ongoing nudge towards fostering positive change. As Elizabeth Rider aptly puts it, “What will your word be this year? I’ve already settled on mine,” my friend announced while we completed a 5-kilometer run, brushing the snow off our shoes.

“Last year was Acceptance for me,” I replied, trying to warm my fingers with my breath. “But I haven’t picked one for 2022 yet. What’s yours?”

“Discipline! That’s my pick. You might find it helpful too!”

I’ll admit that my first impulse was to give her a playful jab on her nose, which was adorned with cute snowflakes. Yet, she had a valid point, and her cheerful tone was sweeter than the cinnamon roll I was fantasizing about for breakfast. Speaking of which… Discipline!

> "Endure the discomfort of discipline, or endure the anguish of regret." — Unknown

I can’t deny that “Discipline” resonates with me. The thought of relinquishing my unhealthy snacks and ensuring I drink two liters of water daily feels daunting. Perhaps it could even motivate me to tackle half of my to-do list and other such organized tasks.

However, I have my doubts about whether I can maintain enough self-control to stick with this word long enough to cultivate any real willpower. I recognize the irony in that, or is it a paradox? Whatever it is, it’s like being too lazy to even embrace laziness!

“What about ‘Flexibility’?” I suggested, throwing another option into the mix. “Not in the sense of fitting into a baby swing or anything, though.”

> "An unyielding tree is easily shattered." — Lao Tzu

“Aren’t you already somewhat flexible?” she inquired as we approached her house. “You seem to adapt well to challenges.”

“Well, sort of, but do I truly acknowledge that? Do I celebrate it at all?”

“Considering you haven’t lost your mind dealing with your oblivious husband, I’d say it’s worth celebrating!”

I’ve come across several articles on Medium discussing the word choices for 2022, and based on my own experiences, I truly understand their significance. When I contemplate words like Discipline and Flexibility, I feel quite enlightened. However, the word I’ll likely use most often in the coming year will probably start with an “F” and rhyme with “bummy luck.” Yes, that’s the one I might need when I inevitably fall short of embracing discipline.

The F word is incredibly versatile, isn’t it? It can function as: - A noun (it's just a f*ck) - A pronoun (f*ckface) - A verb (f*cking) - An adjective (f*ckin’ f*ckface) - An adverb (I’m going to f*ckin’ f*ck you)

It can even be used as a conjunction: “I went swimming, f*ck the cold.” (indicating that I swam regardless of the cold).

So, if you're still contemplating your #2022WordOfTheYear, why not consider joining me in elevating the F word, perhaps even more prominently than your middle finger? Or, with a sigh, we might just end up with two words, because it genuinely seems like it’s time to say, “F*ck This.”

Chapter 2: Humor in the Journey

This chapter will dive deeper into the humorous aspects of this journey, exploring how embracing a light-hearted approach can lead to meaningful change.