Word of the Year, Solstice, and More

/ olivia

Selecting a Word of the Year is a lot like setting an intention, I think. I did it last year and enjoyed the process. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what my word was, so I may or may not have ended up focusing on it throughout the year. In 2024, I would like to be mindful of the word I choose.

I’d like to have my word by Solstice, but think that’s unlikely, so I’ll happy if I’m ready by New Years Day. Here is one list of suggested words, if you’d like to play along. There are so many that seem like good choices for me, it will be interesting to see what I land on. 

If you can’t see the list in the picture, here’s a link to it. I’ll narrow it down to a few and write more about that.

As I plan my Winter Solstice celebration, I’m focusing on renewal and rebirth, and I want to be sure to bring the energy of my Sir to the ritual. I need a dedication of some sort that honors the power and passion he brings. I’ll maybe have to go look at my phallic power material again…

Yes, I’m just sort of talking to myself here. I also want to do a post riffing off a few of Willie’s recent comments, but haven’t pulled that together yet. I’d like to do that with some of you too – other submissives – in some kind of conversational style. If you want to talk – via chat or email – and put something together with me, let me know.

I’ve been thinking that I want some special images that represent Sir and me. Usually, I go to Pixabay or Unsplash or similar sources, but I’m not finding what I want there. I’m not the least bit artistic or I’d design something. But it occurs to me now that I could prompt ChatGPT to create an image or two for me.  That would be fun, wouldn’t it? Hmmm…

Just babbling here… Sir has stirred up my usual patterns, routines and habits in such lovely (and sometimes painful) ways, and it becomes poetry. Just a segment for now.

i had built a shell around my heart, 
wounded, injured, damaged,
too much,
A shell for safety,
Living cool, calm, and confident, 
my heart encased in hard coating to protect me

It’s no wonder I’m scared. Sir Jon cut through the shell that I didn’t even know was there, so quickly, with the ruthlessness of a good surgeon. The shell isn’t gone, but it’s breaking up, like a damn egg, big pieces falling away, cracks all over it.

It’s no wonder I want to kneel at his feet in the shelter of his loving care. 

I found so many great quotes about being afraid of love – here’s one:

“We set our own limits on love. Some of us bind our hearts like Chinese women bind their feet. The binding is painful at first but eventually you get used to it and the pain goes away. The saddest part of all is that by binding yourself to the choices you make, you forget that there was ever another way to live.”
― Kate McGahan

I like this one a lot too:

“When we put our running shoes on and fight tooth and nail to hide from someone, it’s because that’s the person who really matters. That’s the one person you fear will see what’s inside you and cringe. You’d rather live with the not-knowing than to give it a chance.”
― Rebel Farris, Pivot Line

That one made me think of this comment from Willie:

You know reading your posts as of late brings up memories of posts I wrote many years ago – through on blogger not WordPress. Anyway this one reminded me of one called “I’m a Runner”. Naturally I made a joke about not physically running, because,yuck. Lol. Sometimes just staying put in those early stages were such a triumph for me, even though B wanted me to move toward him. When you’re a runner it is a huge feat to stay in place!

Yes. Even staying in place can be a huge feat. 

25 thoughts on “Word of the Year, Solstice, and More”

  1. Personally, I LOVE reading your early morning thoughts, my dear friend. I’ve read through that list of just incredible words, and managed to narrow it down to five: hope, self-care, mindfulness, acceptance, and play. Of all of those words, play is probably the one that would be most difficult for me. I’m very caught up in Daddy’s health right now and looking toward the future, which really isn’t serving me well (but also necessary at times too to keep our lives running smoothly). But more play and fun in my life would definitely be good for me and Daddy. I appreciate you raising this concept… I will spend more time thinking on what my word for 2024 might be. Have a beautiful day, beautiful ❤

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  2. Oh I want a word for the year– can we give each other words? I would love for you to have “renewal” for your word. Because you have done so much for your family and throughout your career that I feel recent events have allowed you to turn inward to the most neglected, forgotten parts of your spirit and renew yourself, your energies.

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    • Angel, those are such nice words to hear, you brought tears (the good kind) to my eyes. I will hold that word for myself even if I choose another. If I were to choose a word for you – I would choose Abundance, because you do so much with so little, I’d love to see all your cups overflowing. 💜

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  3. I tried the word thing once or twice, sadly it didn’t stick for me. To be frank I’m in Perimenopause so my attention span and desire to delve deep is fleeting at best. At least I’m blaming it on that! Lol.

    I’m honoured my words touched something in you as relatable. My favourite quote is :

    “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
    Anais Nin

    It has helped me move mountains in the past. I wish it would do its magic again!

    I look forward to reading whatever you have planned.

    Willie .

    If I were to pick a word, I believe it would be Mindful, as it seems all encompassing to me.

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    • I love that quote too, Willie. Anais Nin is a fascinating woman. I read some of her books when I was quite young and then had to rediscover her when I got older.

      This is one of my favorite quotes of hers:

      “I do not want to be the leader. I refuse to be the leader. I want to live darkly and richly in my femaleness. I want a man lying over me, always over me. His will, his pleasure, his desire, his life, his work, his sexuality the touchstone, the command, my pivot. I don’t mind working, holding my ground intellectually, artistically; but as a woman, oh, God, as a woman I want to be dominated. I don’t mind being told to stand on my own feet, not to cling, be all that I am capable of doing, but I am going to be pursued, fucked, possessed by the will of a male at his time, his bidding.”
      ― Anaïs Nin

      But I love that you would choose the word Mindful. It does encompass so much.

      💜

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  6. Hi Olivia, I love the idea of having a word for the year. I remember you doing this before.

    Such a great list of words. I love ‘trust’ for you. Let your Sir break away the rest of your shell. ‘Shine’ also, because you put so much time and energy into others it’s your turn to shine 🙂

    Hugs
    Roz

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    • Oooh, thank you, Roz. I like trust too, and I certainly feel a lot shinier these days. I would want your word to be Happiness, or maybe Joy, but there might be another one that would work better for you. 💜

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