How to choose your word of the year in 5 simple steps

Every January, we see lists of inspiring words and bold goals everywhere. And yet… many of us still feel stuck trying to choose the right word of the year.

Here’s the truth: Your word doesn’t need to be forced. It needs to be listened for.

The most meaningful word of the year usually shows up after reflection not before it. And once you give yourself time to look back, the word almost always finds you.

Let me share the simple 5-step process I use to choose my word of the year one that feels grounded, realistic, and personal.

What Is a Word of the Year (and Why It Matters)?

A word of the year is a guiding theme something that gently anchors your decisions, goals, and mindset throughout the year. Unlike resolutions that can feel rigid or overwhelming, a word offers focus and flexibility.

It’s not about perfection it’s about intention.

Your word becomes a quiet filter: Does this align with how I want this year to feel?

If you’d like a guided way to move from reflection to intention, I’ve created a How to Choose Your Word of the Year activity that pairs beautifully with this blog. It includes a 5-question reflection template, a vision board brainstorming page, and a word of the year template to help you capture your thoughts in one place. If writing things down helps you gain clarity, this activity can support you as your word begins to take shape.

shop resource at TPT store

How to Choose Your Word of the Year: A 5-Step Process

Step 1: Word of the Year Reflection — Start by Looking Back

Before thinking about goals or next steps, start with reflection.

Sit down and write about the past year, honestly and without judgment. What happened? What felt heavy? What surprised you? What are you proud of?

If you need prompts or inspiration, I shared my full reflection process in my last blog. I truly believe reflection is the most important step. Skipping it and jumping straight into goals often leads to choices that don’t really fit.

Start with the past before planning the future to enjoy your process of choosing the word of the year.

Step 2: Choosing a Word of the Year by Noticing What to Continue and Let Go

Using your reflection, ask yourself three simple questions:

• What worked well last year?

• What do I want to continue this year?

• What do I not want to repeat next year?

For example, last year I offered my first workshops for teachers. I was excited—but also incredibly nervous. I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it or want to continue.

I tried it anyway. I ended up doing three workshops and realized I truly loved the experience. That told me something important: this was something I wanted to keep building on.

These answers become clues.

Step 3: Word of the Year Goal Setting — Brainstorm Without Overthinking

Now comes the messy part—and that’s a good thing.

Take a notebook, notes app, or journal (somewhere easy to find), and start writing all your goals and intentions for the year. No organizing yet. Just write.

This doesn’t have to happen in one sitting. I usually start sometime in early December and keep adding thoughts as they come—while walking, cooking, or randomly before bed.

Once your list feels complete, gently sort your goals into categories like:

• Family

• Professional

• Health

• Personal growth

No pressure. No perfection.

Step 4:An Intentional Process for Choosing Your Word of the Year

This is where the magic happens.

After your list is ready, don’t rush. Sit with it for a few days. Revisit it. Think about it while walking, driving, or even standing in the shower.

Ask yourself: What feels dominant this year? What keeps coming up again and again?

For me, one theme became impossible to ignore: learning.

I started my author journey from scratch. Marketing felt confusing and honestly hard. Over time, I realized that instead of resisting it, I needed to lean into learning—skills, strategies, and new ways of showing up.

That word kept returning: learn… learning.

Last year, my word was confidence, because I was stepping into workshops and author visits and needed to face my fears and show up anyway—even when I felt unsure.

Choosing a word of the year for kids can be just as meaningful and even more magical. When I tried this process with my child, I kept it simple and pressure-free. We talked about her year, what made her happy, what felt hard, and what she was curious about. I asked her to keep her word in the back of her mind while she played, rested, and went about her days no rushing, no forcing. And then one quiet moment, while sitting on the couch, she casually said, “Mama, my word is wonder.” It wasn’t something we brainstormed on a list or pulled from examples; it came from reflection and space. That’s the beauty of this process for kids, when you invite them to notice their feelings and experiences, their word naturally emerges. If this can work for a child, it can work for anyone.

Step 5: Make Your Word of the Year Visible (for Adults and Kids)

Once your word finds you, place it somewhere you’ll see it often:

• On your vision board

• As your phone wallpaper

• On a sticky note on your desk

Your word isn’t meant to pressure you, it’s meant to remind you of your focus when life gets noisy.

If you’re still feeling unsure or simply want a little more inspiration, this blog by Morgan Harper Nichols is a beautiful place to explore. She shares 50 word of the year ideas along with gentle creative writing annotations that invite reflection rather than pressure. It’s not about picking the “perfect” word, but about noticing which one resonates with where you are right now. If you enjoy reflective prompts and soulful guidance, this post can offer ideas while still leaving space for your own process.

A Gentle Reminder as You Begin to choose your word of the year

One last gentle reminder your word of the year doesn’t have an expiration date. It doesn’t belong only to December or January. You can choose your word of the year at any point in the year, whenever you feel the need to pause, reset, or realign. Sometimes the most meaningful growth begins in the middle of the story, not at the beginning. Starting late is still starting and starting is always better than waiting for the “perfect” time. Let your word meet you where you are and guide you forward, one intentional step at a time.

This process isn’t about getting it “right.”

We’re aiming for progress, not perfection. Life is unpredictable. Plans shift. Directions change. And that’s okay.

Your word of the year isn’t a rule, it’s a guide. Something to return to when you feel scattered or unsure.

Start with reflection. Listen closely. Your word is already there.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog and explore the process of choosing your word of the year with me. I would love to hear your word of the year or any thoughts this post inspired for you, please feel free to share them in the comments. Your reflections, experiences, and feedback mean a lot to me, and it’s always such a joy to connect with readers who are on this journey of intention and growth.