Happy New Year, friend!

If you are like the majority of people out there, you have probably busted out your brand new planner, set yourself a bunch of really amazing goals, and have committed to knocking out some pretty bad habits.

Since 2016, I have replaced the old tradition of a New Year’s resolution with picking a “Word of the Year.” I choose one word that becomes my compass to help guide me throughout the new year.

In 2016, I chose FEARLESS and stepped away from a multi-level marketing company to wait on God’s instructions. He lead me to take a beginner’s hand lettering course that was eventually the “spark” for my bible journaling journey.

In 2017, I learned to SURRENDER to God’s will when he gently nudged me to lead my very first bible study. I had no prior experience and was completely terrified. But God said that this was where he wanted me to go, and I listened. And it was in that class where I found the most supportive group of ladies and discovered my love for teaching and leading women to find their creative spirits.

In the year 2018, I chose to let God’s JOY fill my heart. It was this year on March 8th that I took a HUGE leap of faith and started my creative business, Dots and Dust.

2019 was the year for me to be PRESENT. The following year was mentally and physically exhausting and it was pretty clear that the Lord needed me to refocus on my sweet family. Business slowed down but the memories that I made with my family and friends that year were absolutely priceless.

In 2020, I chose to be MINDFUL of my time, mental health, and of how extremely grateful I was for all the things that the Lord blessed me with. Amidst the beginnings of a pandemic, I got to love on my family EVEN MORE, help support my community, and spend a lot more quality time in prayer.

And finally this past year of 2021, I made the choice to GIVE more and take less. I really spent time looking on ways I could share more of what I have learned from my time as a creative. From live tutorials to IG Reels to collaborations with amazing businesses/ministries like Illustrated Faith, 2021 was a year that did not disappoint.

And now we have come to the year 2022.

What word has God chosen to help guide me this year?

I N T E N T I O N A L

The definition of the word “intentional” is stated as “deliberate” or “done on purpose.”

When I ended 2021, I felt extremely overwhelmed with doing “all the things” for both my business and personal lives. My plate was feeling exceptionally full and it felt as if I added any more, everything would come shattering to the floor and I would just want to give up.

But God spoke to me as I prayed and now I know exactly what he wants me to do.

He wants me to refocus and realign my purpose with His. He wants me to be intentional with my time and energy in both my personal and business life.

I know now that I need to stop trying to be everywhere and everything to everyone or every circumstance. I need to plan things out and limit the amount of “noise” I allow in my life.

I need to be intentional.

Believe me. It’s not going to be easy. In a world where the “hustle” culture is celebrated and doing “all the things” is the equivalent to getting a gold star from the teacher, intentionally removing things from my life is going to be like pulling teeth.

But in the end, I have complete trust in God. He never has steered me wrong in the past. And I don’t see Him starting to do that now.

So what about you?

What word have you chosen to guide you through 2022?