I know it’s the trendy thing to do, having a word for the year. But I like it. I think it helps set an intention. Sometimes my word and intention carry through. Sometimes not so much.

My intention was to thrive in 2017. It’s probably better to say I persisted. I struggled with guilt over the affects my leaving work has had on my household, and there was a period of depression that went along with it.

I’d like to say there was something I did or read or heard that snapped me out of it. If there was, I couldn’t tell you. One day, I felt a little better. A few days later, better still. And I started to do some constructive things to make me feel productive.

But more on that later.

For 2018, my intention is to renew. I need a mental renewal, that’s for sure. I have something in particular (PHP, specifically) that I want to learn, and I’m determined to do it. I always intend a physical renewal, but, to be honest, I’ve only got so many spoons to deal with that. Maybe here I just need to accept my limitations.

More than anything, I need a spiritual renewal. For that, I continue to turn to my church family, but I need to do something on my own as well. My goal is to complete the One Year Bible devotional. And not to beat myself up if I get behind a day or two here and there. I need to catch up instead of giving up.

A big part of the renewal is a revamp of Chronically Zen. I updated the site, and, even though I’m completely biased, I love it. More videos are planned. And a podcast. I’m basically relaunching Chronically Zen, and I hope you’ll like it.

What is your word for 2018? Any big plans?