2022 WORD OF THE YEAR
/Purpose. /ˈpərpəs/ noun.
1. the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
On December 31st, I turned 35 years old. I can’t pick out exactly what it was, but this birthday felt different. Very different. Bittersweet in every sense of the word.
I feel my youth slipping away, as I see my girls grow.
I feel my youth slipping away, as I see my skin and body change.
I feel my youth slipping away, as another marriage anniversary passes by.
I feel my youth slipping away, as I realize there truly is a new generation behind ours.
I feel my youth slipping away, as more friends and loved ones pass away.
BUT… in so many ways…
I also still feel like I’m 18. A young, naïve, spontaneous, and adventurous girl ready to conquer the world.
And I guess as I grow older, I realize just how important it is that I truly live out and fulfill my life’s purpose.
That I hear it, act on it, teach from it, learn from it, grow from it, and guide from it.
Because tomorrow just isn’t guaranteed.
On my 35th birthday, I began with a prayer for purpose.
I woke up at 4 am while the rest of the house was sleeping, made a cup of coffee, and I fell to my knees in prayer.
I prayed for a life full of purpose. I prayed to FIND MY PURPOSE, LIVE ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE.
After getting off of Active Duty service with the Army nearly 4 years ago, it’s a theme I’ve often dwelled on through prayer.
Yet this year, I hope to lean into it even more.
I remember when I turned 18, I wrote a letter to myself as I embarked on a solo road trip starting at the tip top of Maine with a goal to make it down to Florida. It was my “soul searching” road trip.
I camped out on different mountaintops, woke up to sunsets in different states, visited every Capitol building along the East coast, slept in hotel parking lots, and went more into debt than I already was in at 18 years old. ha! WHAT WAS I THINKING? lol
But back to the letter; I wrote a letter about the “Fabulous Farris Fs.” Farris is my maiden name.
It was so so silly, but it’s stuck with me all these years. So I guess it was actually pretty clever.
It was a letter about how I would focus on:
Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Founding, Future, Fun, and Fitness. Hence the “Fabulous Farris Fs” , get it? 😂
And while the scope of those things have changed over the years, the general idea continues to remain true.
It’s a way for me to always keep my priorities straight.
For me to always stay on course, and to ensure my compass is always pointing in the right direction during my journey of life.
That’s the whole meaning of purpose, right? To know what guides you at life’s crossroads.
To know what influences your actions and offers direction in challenging times.
To know what shapes your hopes, dreams, goals, and greatest desires.
And man have I gone off course time and time again over these last 17 years since that letter I wrote when I turned 18.
Yet still, I cling to my purpose.
Purpose is special, because it’s truly unique to each of us.
Some find purpose in a higher power.
Some find purpose in their loved ones.
Some find purpose in money and success.
Some find purpose in adventure.
Some find purpose in science.
Some find purpose in the unknown.
Some find purpose in advocating.
Some find purpose in peace and healing.
and the list could go on forever.
All so unique, and all so personal.
This year, I want to really lean back into finding my purpose. And while I may not be embarking on any month long, soul searching, solo road trip adventures…I do plan on digging deep into my soul.
Answering questions like: Why am I here? Who do I serve? What do I want my legacy to be? How can I find more balance in my day? What motivates me? Who inspires me? What are my fears and weaknesses? What are my joys and strengths? Where am I devoting my attention and time to? How can I give more and be more selfless? How can I change the world?
I pray 2022 brings more purpose to your life, and simply allows you to dig a little deeper into who you are and why you are that way.
What are your priorities? What makes you happy? What forces you up every morning? What brings you peace?
These are all great places to start to ask my question of the year:
What gives our lives purpose?
I’ll start.
The Fabulous Farris Fs : Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Founding, Future, Fun and Fitness.
Purpose in My Faith:
What is the Lord’s purpose for my life?
How can I share that purpose with the world?
How can I grow closer to that purpose to ensure I’m sharing it authentically with the world?
How can I ensure I am living out the Lord’s purpose through my actions every day?
Action steps:
-Find a new Church home and community where we feel safe, welcomed, loved, cared for, and whose vision and fundamentals align with that of our family.
-Ensure that the Lord’s purpose for my life guides every decision I make by praying prior to making decisions.
-Continue studying my devotionals and reading my Bible.
-Continue reading Bible stories to the girls at bedtime.
-Volunteer with the Church community.
-Study, pray, read, and reflect before speaking. Trust that God will lead my words and actions.
-Integrate spirituality and Faith into every facet of my life.
Purpose for my Family:
How can I fulfill my purpose as a wife?
How can I fulfill my purpose as a mother?
How can I fulfill my purpose as a daughter, daughter in law, niece, aunt, cousin, and more?
Action steps:
-Continue cooking home cooked meals for the family throughout the week.
-Make healthy lunches for Blake and the girls each day.
-Get the kids more involved in the kitchen.
-Create a keepsake cookbook with all of our favorite recipes that we can always rotate through.
-Share more about these recipes online.
-Continue volunteering for PTA/PTO at school and on post with the military.
-Continue making time to practice sports and dance with the girls every week and providing ways for them to continue attending practices and team events.
-Dedicate time after school each day to each child, while also setting aside specific time for reading and school work.
-Continue taking time away from social media to make clear boundaries for our family. Set a goal to take June, July, and December off each year, as well as holiday or seasonal breaks.
-Unwritten request regarding our marriage. (*I* as a reminder)
-Wind down after work every day during a time of decompression with no phones.
-Kiss and embrace every day.
-Ask “how was your day” to my husband and kids often, and truly listen with no distractions.
-Call and text immediate and distant family members often.
-Write family members more handwritten cards like dad did.
-Continue doing monthly sit downs to synch calendars to ensure clear communication of schedules.
-Share personal and business goals as a family.
-Set aside vacation time during summer and winter for our family.
Purpose for my Friends:
How can I live out my purpose as a friend?
Action steps:
-Contact each friend in my phone and check in at least once a month.
-Write all of their birthdays and childrens’ birthdays in my planner and contact them on those days.
-Send random hand written notes and “just because” gifts when able.
-Continue making time for local friends in my community and setting up playdates for the kids.
-Reconnect with childhood friends if they are willing.
-Ask for forgiveness for friends I’ve hurt and forgive friends who’ve hurt me.
-Set up reunions and vacations as schedules allow.
Purpose for my Finances:
What is my purpose for providing for my family’s finances?
Action steps:
-Continue putting 50% (+) of our paychecks into savings/investments/the girls’ college funds.
-Create vacation budgets for planned spring / summer / winter vacations annually.
-Continue donating to local organizations and military families in need via Mission 31.
-Pray over tithing appropriately whenever a new home church is found.
-For everything I purchase, donate, recycle, or sell something in its place.
-Have a yard sale and donate a lot prior to our next summer move.
-Continue teaching the girls responsibility and how to earn allowance.
-Unwritten request regarding personal finances. (*V* as a reminder)
Purpose for my Fitness:
How can I ensure I am caring for the purpose of my health and fitness?
Actions steps:
-Continue working on lowering blood pressure.
-Close rings on apple watch daily at 750 calories + 30 minute workouts.
-Eat generally very healthy Monday – Friday with casual non monitored eating days on Saturday and Sunday.
-Only drink wine on weekends or special events.
-Run 3 days a week and cycle 1 or 2 days a week.
-Unwritten request for personal diagnosis - continue searching for answers and remaining positive. (*C* as a reminder)
-Work towards personal fitness goals for weight, muscle gain, and toning.
-Run another half marathon this year.
-Set up boundaries at dinners or gatherings when needed.
-Set a good example of what good health and fitness habits are for my kids.
-Get outside often to walk, hike, and play.
-Set time aside for myself to ensure my mental health is well equipped.
-Drink more water.
-Take care of my skin daily.
Purpose as a Founder:
How do I ensure my purpose is being fulfilled as a founder of The Ever Co?
Action steps:
-Outline goals with The Ever Co team for 2022.
-Unwritten request for a special 2022 project - develop the plan (*B* as a reminder)
-Continue striving to be original in all content
-Remain true to self and maintain authenticity in all that I do.
-Craft intentionally, only sharing what is truly worthwhile.
-Be more resourceful and sustainable in my projects.
-Continue linking items that are of good value to others’ lives.
-Continue to turn down inauthentic giveaways solely aimed at growing following.
-Continue to support other small businesses when able, until it is a burden or feels disingenuous.
-Accept constructive criticism and feedback from the community to serve them better.
-Continue developing the Korean brand.
-Work on presets, buttons, maps, bags, and more printables.
-Maximize my use of the blog and newsletters.
-Unwritten request (*1* as a reminder)
Purpose for Fun:
How do I ensure my purpose is fulfilled and life is still fun?
Action steps:
-Celebrate holidays.
-Joke and laugh often.
-Wear lipstick and dress up for no reason.
-Plant more.
-Read more.
-Play more board games.
-Make funny videos with the girls and dance with them often.
-Explore each duty station’s state as much as we’re able.
-Ride bikes with the family.
-Go camping and hiking as a family.
-Teach the girls to ski and play piano,
Purpose for my Future:
What is the purpose of my life’s legacy and how can I impact the world for a better future?
Action steps:
-Write a letter to each of my kids, as well as my husband.
-Write a letter to my future self for what I hope the world looks like 10, 20, 30 years from now.
-Ensure all areas of my life are safe, honest, secure, and authentic.
-Write out my 5 and 10 year plans.
-Volunteer in the local community where able to help in sustainability efforts.
-Continue recycling and choosing more sustainable options for protection of the Earth.
-Research more ways to help the Earth and animals.
-Teach my kids those same initiatives and efforts.
-Be intentional with my planner.
-Seek out more education / military opportunities.
_____________
Now, it’s your turn!
What’s your take on the “Fabulous Farris Fs”? Can you make a list of your life’s priorities that drive your purpose like mine?
_____________
At the end of the day, I believe we find purpose within ourselves, fully influenced by our priorities, beliefs and core values.
We can’t look to others for purpose, and if we do – it’s theirs and not our own.
In order to be authentically you, you must have your own purpose, and that’s such a beautiful, unique, personal thing that only you can feel and be a part of.
There is likely nothing truer to each of us than our own life’s purpose.
So find it, hold it, cherish it, speak over it, love it, hope for it, dream over it, and continue seeking more of it throughout your life.
Because the purpose for our lives is never fully fulfilled, even after we’re long gone.
The legacy of our purpose will live on for all eternity. And our loved ones will continue learning from the purpose of our life, hopefully to continue changing the world for the better.
Find your purpose, Live on purpose, For a purpose.
I’m cheering you on.
XX, Amy
ps. I think it’s time to add FASHION to the Fab Farris Fs. ;)
And guess what?! If you’ve kept reading this far, you’re in for a treat! I created this FREE printable for you to download and print for your own goal setting adventures! Or you can just save this JPG below to your phone and write on it via Instagram stories or in a drawing app to jot down your goals that way too!
My plan is to look this over every month and reflect on my progress/adjust goals where necessary!
I hope and pray this message brought you something useful as you plan your goals this year.
I pray that in seeing me write out my goals that you will write out yours.
But mostIy just pray you too can find purpose in your year, however that may look, so that you are equal parts filled with abundant life and equal parts filled with abundant joy + love.
Happy goal setting.
XX, Amy
PS be sure to pin these images if you want to reference back to it in the future!
