One Little Word 2015

(My first blog post...ever!)

For the new year, I wanted to become more involved in two things: my own writing and technology. I've been following Two Writing Teachers for quite awhile now and always wanted to participate in Slice Of Life, so...here I am! 

My OLW (One Little Word) for this year is one that I've wrestled with because upon first view, it isn't what it seems. Many of the OLW choices seem so beautiful, insightful, glamorous, and inspiring. So here goes nothing. My OLW is: want.

The word want isn't about things or items. It isn't about materialistic must haves. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I would define want not in a selfish sense, but more along the lines of simplify. It is a simple reminder to myself to fight against what I call decision making paralysis. I'm pretty sure this isn't a real thing, but something I may have just made up :) Now I'll explain.

You see, it seems that I struggle to make ANY kind of decision--just ask my hubby, parents, and coworkers-ha!. From small things like what to eat or when to click "send" on an email (after re-reading it 1,001 times) to a large decision like a career move, I seem to be stuck in a sort of paralysis. I over think. I over analyze. I over do it. Period. I worry about what is best for all parties involved. I worry about the right thing to do for others. I try to get the biggest bang for my buck. I list pros and cons, I "phone a friend" (or several), and I run through every scenario in my head. It always strikes me as funny that for almost 14 years as a first and second grade classroom teacher I've been forced, like all educators, to make multiple decisions in a minute during the school day. Yet, when it comes to life outside the school day, I'm left deliberating and t-charting! 

So my OLW of want is a pretty simple reminder to myself to just...stop and do what it appears I want to do--all other things aside. No worries about what decision will be best for others or what decision I should do. Instead I'm simply going to go with my gut. Isn't that what we do so well as parents and teachers anyway?