There may be two months left in 2017, but I am already looking ahead to next year.

Each year I choose one word that represents something I feel I need more of in my life. In 2017, that word was courage and I took steps to find my courage: speaking up when I had something to say, going to social events that I normally would have skipped, and doing things that I wanted to do regardless of the opinions of others. All-in-all, for it being my first word of the year experience, I would say it has been a fantastic success.

In fact, I would say my experiences this year have actually led me to my word for next year: intentional. Because I had the courage to explore and express myself, I began to realize what it was I truly valued and wanted out of life. Lately, I have been trying to balance those values with the life I had already created for myself –– and, spoiler alert, they don't match up.

First, let's discuss what it means to live intentionally. According to the Wikipedia page for intentional living – because, yes, it has a Wikipedia page – the definition is this:

"Intentional living is any lifestyle based on an individual or group's conscious attempts to live according to their values and beliefs. These can include lifestyles based on religious or ethical values, as well as coaching, personal transformation, and leadership training."

Intentional living can be a difficult concept to grasp because, while the definition is the same for everyone, putting it into action in your own life is a very individual thing. Your own personal values influence your intentional living journey and no two journeys will be the same.

For me, intentional living means being mindful about how I spend my time, what I spend it doing, and who I spend it with. It sounds simple, but those three things are made up of a million tiny decisions and details.

Intentional living, to me, is also a bit of slower living.

A lot of us don't like to admit it, but we worry about what other people think of us. I want to let go of that and only worry in a way that is healthy and normal. While so many of us have that hustle mindset, where our brains are constantly on and ready to go-go-go, I want to break away from that and feel emboldened to go at my own pace. I want to be okay not buying the latest tech gadgets and growing my own garden in the spring and summer.

Living with intention is a way to cultivate joy. That is my goal for 2018, to live in a way that makes me feel fulfilled and joyful. I've shared with you my general idea of what that means but, like everything, it is going to be a journey. Throughout the year, I hope to share ways that I have put this idea into action ad the results I've seen from it.

I also recommend that you find your own word of the year. Don't force it. Just put the intention out there and I'm sure a word will appear to you. And I'd love to know what it is!