Choosing Your Word for the Year: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever heard of choosing a word for the year? Maybe this sounds familiar. Or maybe you desire to learn more about it. Just keep reading. I promise to help be your guide no matter where you find yourself.
Choosing your word for the new year has become a favorite tradition of mine. It has become a rather popular thing to do. We have left behind the New Year’s resolutions and have learned to pursue our new year with intention instead of with a checklist. Before I begin to show you how to pick your word for the year, I want to share a little more about this.
I have always loved making New Year’s resolutions. I know that this is not a popular opinion. I like the idea of starting fresh and creating goals with sustaining change. And every resolution I created I always completed. I’m fairly good at keeping my word and sticking to my goals. Over the last 3 years, I have found that I am more excited about intentions and rhythms. Something that brings a more sustainable change. Something that is descriptive to me and not just a goal that everyone is attempting to reach.
I started this tradition of choosing a word on my birthday. This is when I really try to evaluate where I am going for the next year. The start of a new year seems rather fitting when you turn a different age. The new year’s reflection helps me to reset and re-evaluate the chosen word and even choose a new word just for the sake of the new year and to really ground myself in the rhythm I desire for the next year. Since you have read this far, I am certain you are interested in establishing a similar rhythm for your year. Here’s how to get started on choosing the word for yourself:
Reflect
I want you to reflect on this past year. Take some time to really evaluate how you felt and what worked in the last year of your life. This is important before we can begin to visualize the future. Some questions may include: What went right? What went wrong? What is missing? What do I need more of?
Read How to Reflect on the Past Year with Intention which will give you a full list of reflection questions.
2. Visualize what the perfect day would feel like.
It is important to focus on how you feel. Think about how you want your morning to feel, how you want to feel at work and throughout the day and how you want to feel right before you go to bed. Take a couple of minutes asking yourself: “What word do I want to focus on in 2025?”
It may be helpful to meditate and sit in this space for as long as you need to.
3. Create a List
Spend 10-15 minutes creating a list of the words that come to mind. Here are some examples to get you started.
Compassion Thrive. Content. Courage
Vulnerable Joy Gentle. Aware
3. Review
Review your list and narrow down your favorites. I’d suggest choosing your top 3 words. You will most likely see a theme with all the words. Last year, I chose the word, “behold.” This word means to pay attention; do not miss this. It applied to many areas of my life. Yet I wanted it to be the word that grounded me. I was able to notice God and His presence around me. I was able to really look around and have a posture of gratitude in everything. It wasn’t always perfect but it was an intention that moved me to a very specific direction.
What about you? What word will you choose? I encourage you to make a list and look up different words. Try to land on about 3-4 words. Begin to look at their definitions and related words and see which one fits your year and your current season the best.
Once you have chosen your word, write it down in a memorable place. You can use the prompt below.
My word for the year:
Why this word matters to me:
What is your word for 2025?
Choose a word that will be a guide to you throughout the year. It can become your compass when you get lost or confused about life. Make the word your lifeline or mantra. Something that will anchor you and your goals for the year.
If you’re curious, here are the words I have chosen in the past.
2025: Cultivate
2024: Behold
2023: Joy
2022: Abundant Living
I hope this post helps you choose your word for 2025!
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