At the start of each new year, many of us feel that familiar mix of hope, possibility, and a little overwhelm. We flip calendars, make lists, and wonder how to shape the next 365 days into something intentional and meaningful.
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For me, that something isn’t a list of resolutions, it’s a Word of the Year. This simple practice has become a guiding light for how I show up in my life, in my work, and in my joy.
What a Word of the Year Really Is
Unlike traditional New Year’s resolutions, which often focus on outcomes (“lose weight,” “read more books”), a Word of the Year isn’t a goal you check off a list. It’s a theme or compass, it's a single word that helps you prioritize your intentions and filter your choices through a lens of meaning.
Think of it as a soft whisper rather than a demanding checklist.
Wildflower: My Word for 2025
In 2025 I chose the word Wildflower—a symbol of resilience, beauty in unexpected places, and growth that isn’t forced but natural. Just like wildflowers that bloom where they’re planted, I wanted to approach my year with openness, adaptability, and grace.
Wildflower reminded me to:
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Bloom where I am instead of waiting for perfect conditions
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Celebrate variety rather than a single vision of success
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Embrace imperfection as part of the journey
This word shaped how I approached both work and pleasure. In creative projects, it encouraged me to explore ideas that felt alive rather than polished. In everyday life, it invited me to slow down and notice the small, joyful moments—the ones that don’t always make it onto a to-do list but enrich our hearts and memories.
Why a Word of the Year Works
Choosing a Word of the Year does something powerful: it gives your brain a filter through which to view decisions, opportunities, and habits. Rather than juggling multiple resolutions that compete for attention, your word becomes the thing you return to when life gets busy or confusing.
Here’s what this practice offers:
Clarity and focus – One word helps you see what matters most.
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Flexibility and creativity – Your word can be applied in different areas of life without strict rules.
The Bright Balloon
A touchstone for reflection – When choices arise, your word helps guide your why. The Bright Balloon
How to Let Your Word Shape Your Year
Putting your Word of the Year into action doesn’t require big rituals. You can:
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Write it where you’ll see it daily such as on a journal cover or phone wallpaper
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Let it inspire your creative projects
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Use it as a decision filter (“Does this align with my word?”)
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Revisit it in quiet moments of reflection
Your word doesn’t have to do anything perfect. It simply reminds you of the life you want to live.
The Heart of the Practice
A Word of the Year isn’t about perfection or performance. It’s about presence. It’s a way of living with intention rather than reacting. It invites you to pay attention, notice what matters, and gently shape your days with meaning rather than pressure.
As you begin your next year, whatever it holds, consider choosing a word that feels like a welcome companion. One that reflects not just what you’d like to accomplish, but who you want to be along the way.
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