By SHAY GREENWOOD
How can I have a vision for my life for the coming year if the simplest daily decision to pick out an outfit stresses me out? Have you ever experienced coming into a new year and feel slightly overwhelmed by your life and its challenges? It’s much like our closet spaces — can someone just come in and clear out the clutter?
I feel you, friend! Life can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to focus our energies on the right things. Picking an outfit from a closet full of clothes can be just as stressful. I thought I would write this article about the latest fashion trends for 2023, but the Lord led me to help you to fashion and style a life you love.
Styling a life you love despite the obstacles you face takes time and attention. About 10 years ago, one of the most powerful things I started doing was to pick one word that would help me focus on being the best version of myself.
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions that would only stick for about seven days before I would forget and ask, “What were my resolutions again?” — I found myself sticking with the one word, implementing it, and using it all year as I made decisions. Jon Gordon, author of “The Energy Bus” and “The Carpenter,” says, “One word can change your life.” I found that to be so true!
My 2022 word of the year was “Unwaver.” (Hopefully by the time this is published, God will have led me to my 2023 word.) My scripture for Unwaver was from 1 Corinthians 15:58 — “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Unwaver was how I fashioned and styled the rest of my year in every aspect.
For instance, when I chose out an outfit, I would remind myself to be unwavering about it … stick with it, don’t keep changing my mind about it, and believe that I had chosen well. Recently I was asked if I wanted to apply for a full-time job. Although it was flattering to be asked, I had to be unwavering that God had called me to this season of flexibility in running my own business while paying attention to my husband’s health as a priority.
Your word will always help you choose wisely, and most often, you can be quick about making your decision, knowing it’s based on a word the Lord gave you in the beginning of the year. But of course it takes practice.
Justin Cappon, a business coach, says to spend prayer time and write out your responses to these statements to help you get to your one word:
In my career, I desire…
With my friends/family, I will be…
With my spouse, I look forward to…
(If you want to print out the full document, it can be found at bit.ly/oneword2023.)
I would add this statement: In my relationship with the Lord, I desire….
As you respond to these statements, what’s the one word that stands out for you?
Once the Lord makes it clear what your one word is, you can Google the word to look at its definition and find a scripture that has the most meaning to you.
Year after year, I’m always surprised that I land on the one word that I needed the most, before I knew I needed it. We can trust God to be faithful in leading and guiding us.
Fashion and style sometimes have little to do with our outward appearance, but rather what’s coming from the inside out. Your word will even guide you into choosing items that reflect the direction the Lord is moving you. Allow the Holy Spirit to prompt you in using your new word.
I love using this scripture to focus my mind on how the Lord wants me to fashion my life:
“Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4
I would love to hear from you on the word you choose. Come and find me on the socials and share it with me. See you in my DMs!
PS: If you want to learn the 2023 fashion trends, go to whowhatwear.com.
Shay is a style coach with a mission to help women look and feel their best! Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @shaygreenwood.
