My Three Words for 2021: Create, Lift, and Rally

It’s time for my three words for 2021. Choosing three words to reflect my goals for the year has become an annual tradition.  I actually think it might have been Chris who started me on doing this.

I dug out last year’s words. As you can see, I wrote a post about them but then the year got so crazy that I forgot all about it. You’re supposed to review your words every day to  keep them in your mind but I obviously didn’t do that. My words for last year were Abstain, Routine, and Family. I spent a lot of time dealing with family issues so I guess that was accurate without even trying. I don’t think I abstained from much and my routine fell to pieces when I quit going to work every day.

Last year was a tough year and I’m hoping that this year is better. That hope is reflected in a way in my words.

I like to choose words that have multiple meanings. That way I can think about them in different ways. For example, the year that I used the word Reduce for one of my three words turned out to be the year that I release some weight that I’d been wanting to see go as well as the year that I got rid of many household items that I no longer needed.

My Three Words for 2021

Here’s what I’ve come up with for 2021:

• Create
• Lift
• Rally

These words all have multiple meanings for me.

Create

I have lots of things I want to create this year. I love creating content for the Becoming Elli community and hope to increase what I’m doing here. Hopefully, you’ll see some creative content on this website.

I also joined a Zoom writing group in 2020 and while I’ve been a participant, I’ve not been a creative one. I’ve been the person giving some feedback and being the audience. I intend to pursue some creative writing projects this year.

Finally, I took knitting back up after a lengthy break and enjoyed it. I  made some scarves, a couple of hats, and a lot of dish cloths to share with people. I’m hoping to create some more bigger projects this year.

Lift

This word too has multiple meanings. I really want to focus on my strength training this year. My boyfriend, who was a big gym rat, always refers to a strength training session as a lift. He’ll ask me, “how was your lift?” I hope to spend a fair amount of time at the gym this year lifting weights.

Lift, of course, also means to raise something up (besides a barbell that is). I’m hoping that 2021 allows many of us to have a lift. A lift in spirits, a lift in health, a lift in mood. We could all use some sort of lift.

Finally, a third definition is to give someone a ride, as in “do you need a lift?” I’m hoping that as I move through 2021, I do it with others. I’ve spent too much time alone recently and I need a lift, indeed.

Rally

As soon as I reviewed the definitions of this word, I knew it had to be one of my three words for the year. Absolutely.

According to the Free Dictionary, rally as a verb means:

1. To call together for a common purpose; assemble: rally troops at a parade ground.

2. To reassemble and restore to order: rally scattered forces.

3. To rouse or revive from inactivity or decline: paused to refresh themselves and rally their strength.

1. A gathering, especially one intended to inspire enthusiasm for a cause: a political rally.

2.

a. A reassembling, as of dispersed troops.

b. The signal ordering this reassembly.

3.

a. An abrupt recovery from a setback, disadvantage, or disease: The doctor was delighted with the patient’s rally.

b. A sharp increase in price or value after a decline.