I’m not usually one for coming up with a word that describes my plans for the year ahead, but before Christmas last year, I encountered one that I felt was very appropriate.
I’m a big lover of music, and as I was searching through Youtube, I encountered Adieu, the latest release from Rammstein. The video is amazing, and after a couple of listens, it quickly became an earworm. I read the English translation of the lyrics, and the song is really quite sad. I interpret the video to be about new beginnings; that in order to move forward, we must let go of the past. It has gone on to become one of my favourites of theirs (and yes, I’m finding myself going down a rabbit hole).
In 2023, I’m bidding adieu to my Marsden Hall series of novellas, (the final book, House of Echoes, will be released on 22 February). I will also be bidding adieu to a couple of writing projects I have been sitting on for a while, but this will also be a new beginning of sorts, too (so it works both ways). I’ll be saying adieu to a few personal issues as well, that have been holding me back for years, as I feel now is the time to move on.
I believe that some things happen in our lives at exactly the right time, and I feel the timing of this song is one of them. It’s given me momentum to keep moving forward. After the events of the past twelve months, I’m feeling more hopeful of the future. I’m looking forward to new beginnings.
Do you have a word you use to describe your plans for 2023? Is listening to music a motivator for your writing? Are you letting go of something that’s holding you back?
Adieu is the perfect word for closing off the chapter that was 2022. My word last year was simple: love. I tried to approach others and think of others with love. It helped me a lot when I didn’t understand another person’s motivations behind their behavior.
My word this year is engisate. It’s a Greek word from the New Testament, and it means plural-you having drawn near (to God). I’m striving for a closer relationship with God this year.
February 22nd is in three weeks, woohoo!
Hi Priscilla. I’ve never heard of the word engisate before, so thanks for the explanation. I hope it works for you as much as the word love did for you last year. And yes, three more weeks before another book goes out into the world. February has come around fast!
I don’t do yearly words, but oh my goodness, I saw Rammstein perform at the Big Day Out on the Gold Coast in 2001!!! Can’t believe they’re still going 😳
Hi Melanie. That would have been awesome! One of the few bands on my list I wouldn’t mind seeing. 🙂
This is a year of new beginnings for me as well. It hurt, letting go of certain things in my life. Some were writing related, others were not. But I’m finding that the joy of the new far outweighs the pain of letting go of the old.
Hi J.S. I’m sorry you had to go through that, but you’re right about something new. It gives one hope for better things. Have a great February! 🙂
I like your approach! We need to let go of things periodically in order to move forward. Sounds like you’re finding the right path.
I’ve chosen Brave as my word for the year. Here’s to a wonderful 2023!
Thanks, Jemi. I think ”brave’ is a great word to use for 2023. Sounds full of possibilities! Wishing you a wonderful new year! 🙂