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January arrives with a strange mix of energy and tiredness. We are emerging from the intensity of the holidays, yes, but we are also encouraged by the promise of a restart. There’s something clarifying about the changing of the calendar, a sense that this might be the moment when things fall into place. Especially if you were part of the big “lockdown” this fall, chances are you’ve already been thinking about your goals, your routines, and the kind of year you want to create. January does not seem like the beginning, but rather the continuation.
Featured image from our interview with Aileen Fitzgerald conducted by Michelle Nash.
How to Choose the Word of the Year (and Really Live It)
Even with that momentum, it’s easy to feel pulled in too many directions at once. Big intentions, half-formulated plans, and the pressure to do it all (and do it well) can quickly mess up what seemed clear just a few weeks ago. That’s where choosing a word of the year can be a big help. Instead of adding more goals, it offers focus: a word that helps you decide what to say yes to, what to let go, and how to move forward through the year with more intention.
This year my word is clarityand I’m approaching it differently: not as a one-time ritual, but as an anchor that I will return to throughout the year. Below I’ll explain how to choose the word of the year and how to live by it as the year progresses.
What is the word of the year?
This will be a single word that you choose to guide how you want to live, feel and make decisions over the next 12 months. Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, you focus on how you want to approach your life: your goals, routines, relationships, and everyday choices.
What do I like most about choosing a word of the year? Its flexibility. Resolutions tend to be rigid and results-based, making them easy to abandon when life gets in the way. A word is something you return to, not something you complete. Offer direction without demanding perfection.
Think of your word as a lens, not a to-do list. You’re not crossing it out, you’re letting it shape how you see the year as it unfolds.
That’s why a word of the year supports setting intentions without adding pressure. It gives you a clear reference point when deciding what to prioritize, what to simplify, and where to focus your energy, without becoming something else to manage.
Begin
Start by writing three words that appeal to you right now. Don’t think about it too much! They can be words you’ve noticed lately, qualities you long for, or topics that seem relevant to this stage of your life.
Next, take a day or two to sit with them. Keep the list somewhere visible (your notes app, your desktop, or saved in a journal) and notice how each word feels as you go through your routine.
Finally, pay attention to which word keeps coming up. The right one often does: it shapes the way you think, what you notice, or how you make small decisions. That’s usually your cue.
Questions to help you reflect
Do you feel torn between a few words? Or maybe you’re not sure where to start. A little reflection can help bring clarity. These questions should not be answered all at once. Think of them as prompts you can return to during a walk, in your journal, or at the end of the day.
- What do I want more of in my daily life this year?
- Where do I feel overwhelmed or overstretched?
- What seems to be missing right now?
- What quality would help me face challenges more calmly?
- What word feels grounded, not demanding?
As you reflect, notice which words give you support rather than aspirations. You’re not looking for something that sounds impressive. You want to find a word that meets you where you are and helps you move forward with a roadmap you can always return to.
What happens if nothing comes up?
Alright! There is no need to force this. If you haven’t connected with a word yet, pause. Sometimes clarity comes from noticing patterns rather than making quick decisions. Pay attention to what draws you in over the next few weeks: what you’re reading, what you crave, and what feels heavy or light in your daily routine.
There’s also nothing wrong with choosing a word as a placeholder, something simple like ease either focus—And visit again later. The word of the year is not fixed on January 1st. It’s something you can come back to and refine as the year goes on.
How to live your word every day
Choosing a word is just the beginning. What matters is getting back to it, not following it perfectly. Living your word does not require new routines or daily rituals. It works best when it is simple and flexible.
Use your word as a filter. When you are deciding how to spend your time, what to commit to, or what to leave out, ask: Does this support my word or distance me from it? Only occasional checks can bring clarity.
To keep your word top of mind beyond January, try a short monthly reset:
- How did my word appear this month?
- Where did I lose sight of him?
- What’s a small shift I can do next month?
Examples of powerful words of the year
Remember: there is no one right choice, only the one that best supports the season you are in.
- Clarity: simplify decisions, commitments and mental noise so you can focus on what really matters
- Ease: Reduce friction in daily routines and choose what feels sustainable instead of what feels forced.
- Presence: Focus on what’s in front of you instead of what’s next
- Courage: take action even when you feel uncomfortable or unsafe
- Trust: stop controlling excess and allow things to develop with more confidence
- Expansion: creating room for growth, new opportunities and broader perspectives
If one of these words provokes a feeling of relief or recognition, pay attention. This is usually a sign that you are on the right path.
The takeaway
Having a word of the year gives you something to turn to when life feels busy, noisy, or off course. The real value comes from revisiting your word over and over again, using it to reset it, refocus it, and making small adjustments along the way. Choose a word that supports how you want to live this year, not who you think you should be. That’s where it comes in handy and where it tends to last.
