BREATHE | one little word

I'm a OLW flunkie from the 2012 BPC class.  I did the prompts through March, then totally went scatterbrained. (and my word was focus - hah!) I hadn't felt drawn to this class by Ali Edwards at all in the ensuing years, hadn't seen the power of picking a word, but at the end of November, out of the blue, a word just hit me. BREATHE. 

Transparency - Ali Edwards' One Little Word digital files (come with the class)
Chipboard Cloud - Maya Road (embossed)
Enamel Heart - Cocoa Vanilla

So much bad stuff went on in 2016 for me and my family personally (as well as all the political and world issues). The anxiety I felt at times was suffocating. 

Cloud - washi and punch
Enamel Dot - Bella Blvd Illustrated Faith

I need to be mindful and purposeful, to slow down and take things in and breathe.  I need to complete things that keep swirling in my brain but I never get around to doing so that my brain can breathe. I need to rearrange and declutter my house and let it breathe. I need to shift my mindset from having 2 little kids to a teen and tween, and explore new directions with my husband so our relationships can breathe.  And yes, I need to get back on track with health and fitness, so my clothes fit looser to help me breathe. 

Cards - Ali Edwards' One Little Word digital files (I altered the titles with My Dear Santa font)
'move forward' - Ali Edwards' OLW silkscreen & stencil bundle

When this word hit me, I literally gasped in a deep breath and felt light and hope for the first time all year. That's what I want for 2017. Lightness. Hope.  But I feel that in order to get there I need to relearn how to BREATHE.

'fresh start' card - Elle's Studio
plus symbols - Studio Calico checklist roller stamp

I chose a cloud as a symbol, something I could use aesthetically throughout the year.  Any excuse to use clouds, really, as they are one of my favorite icons!  

I also ordered a necklace with my word.  Not sure how much I will actually wear it, lately ornamentation has been bugging me, I haven't even worn my wedding ring most of the year, but it makes me happy to see it hanging in my craft room.  

Custom necklace - theforksforest on Etsy
'This is Me Right Now' digital brush - Ali Edwards