How to choose a word of the year and make it work for you
I’ve been choosing a guiding word every year since 2019. I’d never been keen on New Year’s resolutions or ambitious goal setting. January feels like a time for gentle reawakening and tentative hope, for dreaming wrapped in cosy knits by candlelight.
I think of my word as a guide, an intention, or a reminder – or all of these in turns. I chose my first word when my husband was incurably ill. I knew the year ahead was likely to bring more ill health, emergencies and quite possibly his death. I wanted to be reminded that I would get through it, like I’d got through the previous years. So I chose the word ‘trust’, as something to hold onto and reassure myself that I would be ok, however tough and bleak it might feel at times. The worst did happen, and I did get through it. Keeping my word in mind helped me believe that I would.
How to pick your word
There are two questions I ask myself to come up with my word:
1. What do I need this year?
It may help to reflect on the past year first, and make lists of what you want more and less of as a starting point. You may have felt stressed and want more calm, or scattered and feel the need for focus. Keep an open mind, see what comes up for you, and write it all down. You could also simply start writing ‘This year I need…’ and keep going.
2. How do I want to feel?
Think about how you want to be feeling as you go through the year, or a year from now. Imagine going through your day, interacting with the people in your life, looking around your home. What are the feelings you want to experience? It might be excitement or serenity, joy, anticipation, contentment, motivation… Whatever comes up for you, write it down.
Once you have your two lists, look through them and underline any words or ideas that come up repeatedly or feel more meaningful to you.
This should give you a shortlist. Group any similar words, and see if you can come up with alternatives, using a thesaurus for synonyms if you like.
Then go through all the words again, and make a new shortlist, of the words that speak to you the most. Try each out, over however long you need, to see if it is right for the feeling and guidance you are looking for. It might take a few days, but the right word will eventually emerge.
This year my word is ‘light’. I had other contenders, but its double meaning captured exactly what I was seeking: more light, and to feel light. I kept coming back to it, so knew it was right.
How to make your word work for you
The exercise of picking a word has its own value, and I’ve been guilty of forgetting about mine for months on end (choosing ‘explore’ ahead of lockdown was especially challenging), but you will get the most out of it by making sure you keep it in mind.
1. Keep it close
I always write my word and keep it in my planner. You could also frame it, write it on sticky notes placed where you’ll see them, make a bookmark, or create a screensaver for your phone or laptop. I can also write it for you in pointed pen calligraphy, with a handmade envelope to keep it safe.
2. Reach for it when you need it
Remember your word when you’re having a difficult day or something especially challenging happens. It could be just what you need.
3. Set reminders
You could set a regular reminder to think and reflect on your word. This could be weekly, monthly or quarterly, and done on your phone or in a paper diary. You could use it simply as a prompt to keep your word in mind, or you could spend some time reflecting and journaling.
It is also a good way to check if your chosen word is still what you need. If not, look back on other words you had considered, or go through the process again, and change it to something that serves you better. You may find you need multiple words, or a word for each season. Make it your own.
