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My Word for 2020

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My Word of the Year for 2020

You all had such great guesses on my Word of the Year for 2020. Surprisingly, only one of you got it right (at least, I think it was only one of you!)

Like usual, as 2019 started winding down and we headed in November, I began contemplating what over-arching theme I want to pursue in the following year. My word for the year came pretty easily to me, as it often does.

I sat with it for a few weeks to make sure I really loved it. And then I asked Jesse for his thoughts. He agreed that the word seemed fitting for 2020.

So without further ado, my word for 2020 is: Savor.

What Does Savor Mean?

There are a variety of definitions for savor, but the basic definition is, “to taste or smell with pleasure.” I decided to expand my own personal definition of savor to encompass slowing down and fully experiencing life through my senses.

I love how Vocabulary.com defines it:

Whether it’s a feeling of joy or a piece of pecan pie — when you savor something, you enjoy it to the fullest.

When you savor something, you enjoy it so much that you want to make it last forever. With that in mind, savor carries a connotation of doing something slowly. If you savor that flourless chocolate tart, then you eat it slowly, bit by bit, deliberately picking every last crumb off the plate. The word is often applied to eating, but you can savor any pleasurable experience, whether it’s the winning touchdown or your moment in the spotlight.

2020: The Year of Savoring

Why Did I Choose This Word?

My personality is one that doesn’t tend to do life slowly. I usually have an end goal in mind with almost everything and I can put my head down, my blinders on, and just aim straight for that objective.

While there are good things about this tendency, it also means that I often miss a lot of beauty and experience along the way. This year, I want to take the time to really stop and savor life, to experience the richness of the everyday, and to notice what I’m tasting, touching, hearing, seeing, and feeling.

I plan to not only be aware of this as I go throughout each day, but I also am going to set 2-3 goals per week that are focused on helping me use my senses to more fully experience life.

To hear more about this word and why I chose it for 2020, be sure listen to this week’s podcast episode where I share more about choosing a word for the year, a book I just finished, a remedy that’s helping with my hacking cough, and more about weekly goal-setting versus yearly goal-setting.

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In This Episode: 

[01:07] Happy New Year! It feels like it has been forever since we’ve recorded a podcast! Listen in for a quick recap of our holiday!

[05:36] Vicks VapoRub with socks is saving my life this week!

[07:33] I finished An Invisible Thread on the drive home.

[10:15] Why choose a word of the year and what was mine from 2019?

[11:33] My word for 2020 is Savor. I share more about choosing this word.

[14:13] How do I plan to live this out?

[16:35] My goals for week 1 – January 2020 are…

[19:31] What is your word of the year? How are you setting your goals in 2020?

Links and Resources:

How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show

The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

Did you choose a word for 2020? If so, I’d love to hear what it is and why you chose it!

Reader Interactions

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  1. Judy says

    My word this year is THRIVE. I started the year with a diagnosis of breast cancer…and a BRCA2 designation. I’d like to improve my diet by adding more vegetarian options to THRIVE.

  3. Natasha says

    I’m a little late this year, so I’ll still narrowing down my word. It will likely be Now or Content. I need to remember to start thinking about it BEFORE Christmas this year, because the days in between just aren’t enough! I decided it’s okay though (I was “behind” pretty much all 2019, mostly due to health issues and an extended visit to family overseas), and the fact that you’re making weekly goals instead of yearly goals confirmed for me that there’s not only one way to do things, that it’s OKAY. Like Lara Casey says, “There’s nothing magical about January 1st!” 🙂

  4. Shannon says

    I did one of those little Facebook quizzes and my word came up as love. I’ve chosen to love hard when people need it and learn when I should exercise tough love, which is hard.

  5. Christie says

    I read this post yesterday. This morning I looked down at my devotional book that I chose for this year. Guess what the title is? “Savor – (living abundantly where you are, as you are) by Shauna Niequist. I love the idea of intentionally savoring all of the pieces of daily life, whether it be something I eat or something I do.

    I’ve recently left the hustle of high-stress corporate employment and have struggled over the past several months to slow down. So in 2020, I’ll share your word of the year and (try to) be intentional in my savoring of all of the things, flavors, memories and surprises that come my way 🙂

  7. Lorna says

    My word for 2020 is FLOURISH. 2019 I sold my house and moved to a new town. 4weeks later my Dad died. A month after that I became a Christian. So this year I want to flourish spiritually, socially, physically and mentally by putting down really good roots in my faith (Spending a lot of time reading my Bible), developing a new network of friends, and better self care. For a plant to flourish it needs good roots, the ideal spot to grow (type and depth of soil, hours of sunlight, wind exposure, water etc.), and may need a bit of pruning, or staking to support it until it is strength enough to withstand wind on its own. anything less than ideal and the plant may grow, but it may never do well enough to bloom and bear fruit.

  8. Courtney Osborn says

    Similar to your word “Savor” (almost stole it because I love it so much), I chose “Abundant”. It reminds me of John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” I found out I was pregnant just days after you announced on your podcast that you were too. I want to focus on living life abundantly throughout this experience and the first months of our baby’s life, as well as in all other aspects of my life such as my career and with my other relationships.

    • Crystal Paine says

      I’ve never had a maternity leave of anytime and usually haven’t even taken a 24-hour break, but this year, one of my big goals is to actually have a real 4-week maternity “leave”. I’m excited about it! And I love the word you chose!

  11. Kris says

    My word is seven. Yes, the number. Odd but seems somehow right. I have 7 goals, am working to have only 7 things on my daily to do list, and making sure I always have a 7th day of Sabbath. Not sure how seven will play out for me, but it is the only word that remotely “stuck” for me, so I’m going with it!

  12. K Ann Guinn says

    I think my word for 2020 is “rest”. I only say I think so, because unlike you, I only starting thinking about this a few days ago. I seem to get caught up in the holidays, and for our family, the Christmas season goes right through New Year’s and about a week after. I’ve never been highly motivated, so I’m usually feeling behind when the New Year starts. (I even wrote a post about this.)

    At first I thought that I might have chosen “rest” because that’s what I want to do. I am still waiting for more confirmation, but partly because it seems so contrary to what I think I need to do (which is jump headlong into major decluttering, making more progress with my blog, and generally being more intentional in my/our life), it makes me think perhaps it really is God’s idea and not mine.

    I have a tendency to over-think and get overwhelmed; plus it’s been a difficult year with my mom being diagnosed with cancer agin (after having it over 30 years ago) and being 500 miles away. I feel worn out, yet need a fresh start and to change many things. But I also have some small middle age health issues and have always struggled with getting enough sleep. My husband and I both feel I am to start with the basic things I already know I need (such as sleep and rest), and the rest will start to fall into place. I also need to rest in the Lord for all areas of life.

    So this could be the word for me. I do find having one word on which to focus all year works so well for me, so I’ll be praying on this to further seek God’s direction. I love yours and I think you have chosen well.

    Happy New Year!

    • Crystal Paine says

      I’m so sorry about your mom’s diagnosis! It is hard to be far away when your parent isn’t doing well. I just stopped and prayed for wisdom for you for what word God wants you to focus on in 2020!

  13. Melissa Kaiserman says

    I didn’t see your post where you asked people what they thought your word was, but I took a guess as I was clicking through to your post from your email, and I was right! It shocked me a bit, except it really didn’t because it is so appropriate for what’s coming up for you this year. Especially the baby part of what’s coming up, because savoring a baby is just the best. And that includes the smelling part of the dictionary definition. 🙂

  14. NanaMama says

    I too (as did Kristen Johnson) chose the word Enough. I knew this would be my W4Y several months ago. There are so many ways I want and need to incorporate this word into my mind, heart, and life. I meet with a small group of women, who each January, choose a W4Y. In December we revisit our W4Y, sharing how it impacted our year, as well as a word that better described our year. (Hindsight is 20/20, you know) I chose Wisdom for my 2019 word. Looking back … 2019 turned out to be a year of Courage. Who knew? (Actually, I’m grateful not to have known how much courage I’d need this past year… just as I know that no matter what I’m in need of in 2020…. I will have ‘Enough’)

  15. Raquel Evans says

    I chose the word ‘Intentional’ for 2020, which will follow nicely on 2019’s word, ‘Habits’. Because of a recent move for us, and job change for my husband, and all the resulting adjustments of life and schedule, I know it would be really easy for me to make excuses and just coast through my days, but I want to really be intentional and rebuild my routines in a new place and make the most of the extra time I have in my schedule here. (Including some time for fun things and hobbies, but that still requires being intentional, or I’ll just fritter away all that time on endless scrolling.)

  16. Holly says

    We chose the same word and for many of the same reasons! Last year my word was “advance” and it was a great word, but this year I am looking to slow down and be fully present to enjoy each moment the Lord gives me. I am looking forward to following how you incorporate this word throughout the year. Happy New Year!

  18. Kristen Johnson says

    I love the word Savor! Such a good one.

    I actually chose two for this year. Enough and Now.
    Enough, because I am enough and I need to stop striving to be more and just know that I’m enough in Christ.
    Now, because I want to work on being more present with my kids, my relationships, and my work.

    Thank you for bringing us along with you on your journey!!

  20. Stephanie says

    My word is savor too!! I’m 15 weeks pregnant and with a 2.5 year old it was the perfect word for this season. Last year my word was adventure, which also helped me to slow down and day yes to many adventures. Happy 2020!

  21. Emmy says

    Our daughter has challenged us to incorporate the Japanese philosophy of Ichigo ichie in the New Year 2020.

    Ichigo ichie can be translated as, “Once, a meeting” and also as “In this moment, an opportunity.” What this means to tell us is that each meeting, everything we experience, is a unique treasure that will never be repeated in the same way again. So if we let it slip away without enjoying it, the moment will be lost forever.

    Just like your word “savor” a suggestion is to apply mindfulness to your five senses. Train yourself in the art of listening, watching, touching, tasting, and smelling to give each moment the richness of human perception. This will also allow you to be more alert to others and increase your level of empathy and influence.