How to Choose a Word of the Year You’ll Actually Live By

January arrives with a strange mix of energy and exhaustion. We’re coming off the intensity of the holidays, yes—but we’re also buoyed by the promise of a reset. There’s something clarifying about the calendar turning over, a sense that this could be the moment things click into place. Especially if you were part of the great “lock-in” this fall, chances are you’ve already been thinking about your goals, your routines, and the kind of year you want to create. January doesn’t feel like the beginning—it feels like the continuation.

Featured image from our interview with Aileen Fitzgerald by Michelle Nash.

How to Choose Your Word of the Year (And Actually Live By It)

Even with that momentum, it’s easy to feel pulled in too many directions at once. Big intentions, half-formed plans, and the pressure to do it all—and to do it all right—can quickly clutter what felt clear just weeks ago. That’s where choosing a word of the year can be so helpful. Instead of adding more goals, it offers focus: one word that helps you decide what to say yes to, what to let go of, and how to move through your year with more intention.

This year, my word is clarity, and I’m approaching it differently—not as a one-time ritual, but as an anchor I’ll return to throughout the year. Ahead, I’ll walk you through how to choose your word of the year, and how to actually live by it as the year unfolds.

What is a word of the year?

This will be a single word you choose to guide how you want to live, feel, and make decisions over the next 12 months. Rather than focusing on what you want to achieve, it centers on how you want to approach your life—your goals, routines, relationships, and everyday choices.

What I love most about choosing a word of the year? Its flexibility. Resolutions tend to be rigid and outcome-driven, which makes them easy to abandon when life gets in the way. A word is something you return to, not something you complete. It offers direction without demanding perfection.

Think of your word as a lens, not a to-do list. You’re not checking it off—you’re letting it shape how you see the year as it unfolds.

Because of that, a word of the year supports intention setting 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 turning into another thing to manage.

Get Started

Begin by writing down three words you’re drawn to right now. Don’t overthink it! These can be words you’ve been noticing lately, qualities you’re craving, or themes that feel relevant to this season of your life.

Next, give yourself a day or two to sit with them. Keep the list somewhere visible—your notes app, your desk, or tucked into a journal—and notice how each word feels as you move through your routine.

Finally, pay attention to which word keeps coming back. The right one often does—shaping how you think, what you notice, or how you make small decisions. That’s usually your cue.

Questions to Help You Reflect

Feeling torn between a few words? Or maybe you’re not sure where to start. A little reflection can help bring clarity. These questions aren’t meant to be answered all at once. Think of them as prompts you can return to over 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 stretched too thin?
• What feels missing right now?
• What quality would help me navigate challenges more calmly?
• What word feels grounding—not demanding?

As you reflect, notice which words feel supportive rather than aspirational. You’re not after something that sounds impressive. You want to find a word that meets you where you are and helps you move forward with a road map you can always return to.

What if nothing is coming up?

That’s okay! You don’t need to force this. If you haven’t connected with a word yet, let yourself pause. Sometimes clarity comes from noticing patterns rather than making quick decisions. Pay attention to what you’re drawn to over the next few weeks: what you’re reading, what you’re craving, and what feels heavy or light in your daily routine.

There’s also no harm in choosing a placeholder word—something simple like ease or focus—and revisit it later. A word of the year isn’t fixed on January 1. It’s something you can return to and refine as the year unfolds.

How to Live Your Word Every Day

Choosing a word is just the beginning. What matters is returning to it—not following it perfectly. Living your word doesn’t require new routines or daily rituals. It works best when it’s simple and flexible.

Use your word as a filter. When you’re deciding how to spend your time, what to commit to, or what to let go of, ask: Does this support my word, or pull me away from it? Even occasional check-ins can bring clarity.

To keep your word present beyond January, try a short monthly reset:

• How did my word show up this month?
• Where did I lose sight of it?
• What’s one small shift I can make next month?

Examples of Powerful Words of the Year

Remember: there’s no single right choice—only what feels most supportive for the season you’re in.

• Clarity: simplifying decisions, commitments, and mental noise so you can focus on what truly matters
• Ease: reducing friction in daily routines and choosing what feels sustainable over what feels forced
• Presence: focusing on what’s in front of you rather than what’s next
• Courage: taking action even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain
• Trust: letting go of over-control and allowing things to unfold with more confidence
• Expansion: creating space for growth, new opportunities, and broader perspectives

If one of these words sparks a sense of relief or recognition, pay attention. That’s often a sign you’re on the right track.

The Takeaway

Having a word of the year gives you something to return to when life feels busy, noisy, or off course. The real value comes from revisiting your word again and again, using it to reset, refocus, and make 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 becomes useful—and where it tends to last.