Choosing Your Word of the Year
Setting Your Intention for the New Year
The arrival of a new year often brings a flurry of resolutions: lofty promises to hit the gym, cut out sugar, or finally get organized. But let’s be honest—how often do these resolutions feel like pressure instead of empowerment? That’s where intention-setting comes in, offering a kinder, more flexible approach to growth and transformation.
As the new year unfolds, many of us feel drawn to reflect, reset, and plan for the future. Instead of overwhelming yourself with rigid resolutions, why not focus on one simple, powerful concept—a word of the year?
A word of the year is more than just a word. It’s a touchstone, a guiding light that helps you stay grounded, focused, and intentional throughout the year. Whether you’re seeking clarity, joy, or growth, your chosen word can act as a compass to help you navigate life’s ups and downs.
Why Choose a Word of the Year?
Unlike traditional resolutions, which often focus on fixing perceived flaws, intentions focus on what you want to embrace in your life. They are rooted in how you want to feel, the energy you want to cultivate, and the values you want to align with.
A word of the year isn’t about checking off tasks or hitting milestones. It’s about cultivating a mindset or energy that aligns with your values and goals. This practice helps you stay centered on what truly matters while leaving room for flexibility and personal growth.
Your word becomes a gentle reminder to keep coming back to yourself and your intentions, even when life gets messy.
How to Pick Your Word of the Year
Resilience coach, Heather Markle, provides five tips to help you pick a meaningful intention word:
Reflect on the Past: Take a moment to think about the past year. What went well? What were the challenges? What did you learn? This reflection can help you choose a word that resonates with your experiences.
Think About Your Goals: Consider what you want to achieve in the new year. Your intention word should align with your goals and aspirations, giving you a clear focus.
Find a Word That Inspires Action: Pick a word that motivates you to take action. It should encourage you to move forward and make progress in different areas of your life.
Choose a Word That Evokes Emotion: Select a word that stirs positive emotions within you. It should make you feel excited, hopeful, or empowered whenever you think about it.
Make It Personal: Ensure the word you choose has a special meaning to you. Define what it means in the context of your life and how you want it to influence your year.
How to Use Your Word of the Year
Once you’ve chosen your word, let it become a part of your daily life:
Write it down. Keep it visible—on a sticky note, in your planner, or on a vision board.
Associate it with something tangible. Pair it with a color, a symbol, or even a song to help it come alive.
Reflect on it regularly. Use your word to guide decisions, set goals, and stay aligned with your intentions.
A Word of Encouragement
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to choose or use your word of the year. This is a practice for you, and it’s meant to inspire, not pressure you. If your word evolves over time, that’s okay! Life is fluid, and your intentions can grow as you do.
This year, choose a word that feels meaningful, inspiring, and empowering. Let it be your gentle guide through all that lies ahead.
What will your word of the year be? Share it with us in the comments, and let’s inspire each other to start this new chapter with intention and purpose!
Ready to explore more? Check out our latest Grief & Grit podcast episode, where we dive into the power of setting an intention word with resilience coach Heather Markle. Listen here!