How to Choose Your Word of the Year
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I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions—never really have. Maybe back in my teens I threw out the usual, like “lose weight” or “eat healthy,” but they never stuck. A few years ago, I came across the idea of a “word of the year,” which intrigued me. Instead of resolutions that fade by February, you choose a word to guide and inspire you throughout the year.
Did I pick one right away? Nope. Not until the end of 2019, when I decided to try it for 2020—and even chose two words: one for my personal life and one for my business. Overachiever much? My personal word was “Joy,” a choice rooted in the tough year we’d just had in 2019, with financial struggles and a business closure. Despite the challenges of 2020, I managed to find joy in small, meaningful ways. For my business, Ash Country Candles & Designs, I chose “Focus,” hoping to build an income and make progress. Things started well, but the pandemic shifted my plans. Instead of stressing, I pivoted, starting this blog to share and connect.
For 2021, my personal word was “Gratitude,” and my business word was “Inspiration.” At first, I felt I balanced them well, but over time, gratitude took the lead. It was clear I couldn’t juggle two separate focuses authentically, so for 2022, I chose a single word to encompass everything I needed. After some reflection and prayer, the word “Focus” became clear once again, applying to both my personal life and my business.
In 2023, my word was “Change,” inspired by opening a storefront in late 2022 and the adjustments that followed. By the end of 2023, with the store’s closure, I didn’t even settle on a word for 2024. Life felt uncertain, but I’m reminding myself that’s okay. Maybe this year’s focus will come naturally in its own time, just like it has before.
Here we are approaching 2025 and I want to choose a word for this year that will get me back on track. I’m sure your curious by now, exactly how do I go about picking a word.
How do you choose your word of the year?
Reflect on your past year:
Look back on your past year. Are there areas of your life that you want to improve on? Are there things you want to get better?
A reflection of my past year has shown me that I want to create digital items to sell, be more present, and get rid of unwanted/unused items, organize my house and keep it clean and tidy.
Figure out what you want in life:
How do you want to feel? I want to feel relaxed and peaceful.
What are your priorities? Bring in an income. Treat others the way I want to be treated. Share my love for Jesus. Grow my businesses.
How do you want to affect others? I want to help other pursue peace and purpose.
Don’t replace your goals:
This is not a replacement for your goals. You should use your word to help shape your goals. One of my goals is to get organized. It would be real easy to choose organize as my word, but what about sharing my love for Jesus or creating items to sell. That word doesn’t fit with my overall objective for this year.
I want to create products for my blog that will help others with journaling, gratitude, prayer, organizing, finances, etc. I want to inspire others to dig deeper within themselves and in their faith to find their purpose.
Put your word of the year where you can see it & be reminded of it!
You do not want to pick a word and then just forget it like a New Year’s resolution. You must use it!
Use it when you need to make decisions.
Make sure your decisions align with your word. Ask your self will this help me be more__________________? Be honest with yourself. Why go through the trouble of picking a word of the year if you are not going to use it in your life honestly?
My word of the year for 2025 is Create.
It is never too late to choose a word! I have put together a list of words to help you decide what might be a good fit for you!
Stay positive, stay motivated, and make today amazing!
With love and encouragement,
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