"By now, you’ve likely digested a plethora of messages from influencers and publications alike telling you what to do differently in 2025. There are wellness challenges and declutter projects and vision boards to complete. Don’t forget to crack open your new planner, set 10 goals, prep a week’s worth of meals, and optimize your morning routine. Are you writing all of this down? After the holidays is a great time to focus on you. While there’s nothing wrong with setting resolutions, why not focus on a word of the year instead?
There is another way to enter the new year, one that doesn’t involve complex lists, habit tracking apps, bullet journals, or the disappointment of unmet resolutions. Instead of focusing on corrective behaviors, pick a one-word theme for your year. The word you select will become a catalyst for positive thoughts and actions in 2025. Read on for everything you need to know about choosing your word of the year or how to select one as a family.
An alternative to a New Year’s resolution
For years, I was a resolution junkie, riding the high that accompanies dreams of self-improvement. Whenever I’d diverge from my perfect plan for the new year, I inevitably descended into self-loathing. Then, years ago, I discovered an article about selecting a one-word theme for the new year. Inspired by one of my favorite authors, I switched to this method. Releasing expectations made for a guiltless entry into January and an inspired 12 months. What’s more, in reframing my desires for the year, I gained a powerful compass that guided my growth.
Since then, various resources and a movement has developed around one-word themes. What follows is the system I use to select a one-word theme for the new year—what I’ve learned works best for me after years of practice. Give it a try and see if you don’t have your best year yet.
How to choose your word for the year
Step 1: No resolutions
Period. Set aside your vision board, habit tracking app, food rules, and list of resolutions. Wipe the slate clean. Replace the twinge of FOMO you might feel for not starting Whole30 with JOMO that comes from embracing a no-pressure, carefree start to the year.
Though a one-word theme isn’t incongruous with resolutions—in fact, if you’re really motivated you could do both—I don’t recommend it. Here’s why: daily, your mind is crowded with dozens of messages from you, your circle, and the media about what you should/shouldn’t do. What would happen if you rejected those messages and began to flow through life unburdened by shoulds and shouldn’ts? What would it look like for you to harness the power of selecting one driving focus? You’d become, in a word, unstoppable.
Step 2: Discovery session
Set aside 30 minutes for a brainstorming session. Take out a clean sheet of paper and start by drawing a small circle in the middle of the page. Fill in the circle with your first name. Start dreaming. What tone or attitude would you like to set this year? How do you want to feel?
Outside of your circle, write down any and all words or phrases that come to mind. This is a brainstorming session, so don’t hold back—outlandish ideas are OK, there will be time to discern later. Keep working until you’ve filled up the page with words or until the time is up. If you’re having trouble coming up with words, try turning your favorite books or blogs or inspiration.
Step 3: Walk away from your list
Store your list in a safe place and literally walk away from it. Do something to clear your head: play with your kids, meditate or pray, workout, or walk out your door and around the neighborhood.
Step 4: Discernment
Find an additional 30 minutes when you’ll be undisturbed. Come back to your list and circle the words or phrases that stand out most to you. Next, take out a fresh sheet of paper or open up the notes app on your phone and document your top five contenders for word of the year.
Consider each word and how it might influence the course of your actions in 2025. If you’re a journaling type, pull yours out and let the words flow. Write toward what you know and don’t know about this word. Explore its hidden meanings. Look it up in the dictionary. Consider its forms (e.g., grace or graceful). Try it out in a sentence related to you.
Step 5: Decide and display
It’s time! Decide on your word for 2025 and write it down on a Post-it, your planner, or even post about it on social media. You might even go so far as to purchase custom jewelry with your word if you’re really excited about it. You could post the word on your mirror or refrigerator. One thing I like to do is write my one-word theme in the margin of each month in my printed planner as a reminder.
Or, download and print our ‘Word of the Year for Moms’ word search
If taking the time to sit down to brainstorm and ponder your 2025 word isn’t totally your style, we have another great option for you: a free printable! Click on the graphic below to download and print The Everymom’s free ‘Word of the Year’ word search.
The concept is simple: as you look at the scrambled letters on the page, the first word to jump out at you will be your word for 2025. With options like “balance,” “simplify,” “create,” “empower,” and “focus,” there’s sure to be something to inspire you to be your best self in the new year and beyond.
How to choose a family word of the year
Though many people select a word of the year for themselves to set a personal intention, it can be equally as fun to choose a word as a family with your partner and kiddos as we enter 2025. Much like the instructions above for picking a word for the year for yourself, choosing a joint word begins with a brainstorm session. First, sit down as a family and reflect on what you hope to achieve, experience, or prioritize in the coming year.
Depending on the ages of your children, the brainstorming session—and the words that come out of it—will look different. If your kids are younger, go with simple words like fun, play, share, happy, love, or grow. Focusing on words they know and understand can help inspire daily actions for littles as they move through the year. If your kiddos are older, you might be more interested in words like respect, gratitude, perseverance, balance, or learn and can use this activity to talk about what these words represent for your family.
As you brainstorm your word together, encourage each family member to contribute to the conversation and share their thoughts for your family’s 2025 intentions and experiences. Once you narrow down your list, select a word that everyone agrees with to ensure it feels both meaningful and motivating to the whole family. Write this word down and proudly display it where everyone will see it daily, like on your kitchen fridge. Revisit your family word of the year as time goes on to stay aligned and inspire new ways to live by this family motto!
Or, download and print our ‘Word of the Year for Families’ word search
Just like our free, printable word search for moms above, except this version is designed specifically for families! Simply click on the graphic below to download and print this fun word search activity to help determine your family’s word for 2025.
First, sit down and have each family member look at the scrambled page of letters and have each person share what word jumped out to them first. You might name some of the same words (if so, how cool is that?!) or each family member may identify something different. Either way, this can be a great way to kickstart conversations about your family’s word of the year. Or, better yet, focus on a few words together!
A word about your word
Make a conscious effort to revisit your word throughout the year. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate and consider its layers. If you journal or blog, consider devoting a few pages to the ways your word may have influenced your thoughts and actions in 2025 every season until year-end. If you fall away from your one-word theme, don’t beat yourself up. There’s no right way to do this. Your word, unlike a resolution, is simply a compass you can return to whenever you’re in need of guidance. I’m no psychologist, but in years of trying this, I’ve found my one-word word theme just sinks into my brain and subliminally influences me.
Recently, I was reading an email from a dear friend in which she described me as courageous. Tears began to form in the corners of my eyes. “Why am I crying?” I wondered. Quickly, I re-read the email again, searching for answers. A third time through my friend’s message, it finally dawned on me—I was crying because she had identified my theme for the year. No part of our exchange centered on this, it had come up naturally. Care to guess what my word was? A synonym for courage: brave.
Erin Strybis, Contributing Writer
Erin is a writer and editor based in Chicago who loves connecting with other moms through storytelling. As a mom of two, she believes the secret to motherhood is leaning into grace. Her first book, The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Bookshop, and beyond.
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.