Finding Your Word of the Year
Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2025 and look toward 2026, what better time to talk goals, habits, and aspirations? But in a no-pressure, reflective kind of way.
Where is a good place to start? Option 1, resolutions.
Resolving to change a behavior? Great stuff. But also, tough. If you’re up to the challenge to be resolute and stay resolute, more power to you.
But if you’re looking for an alternative, then consider a different approach.
Option 2: a word of the year.
Finding Your Word of the Year
Choosing a word of the year isn’t about setting a specific goal or resolution. Instead, it’s about naming a direction. A single word that acts as a lens for your decisions, your energy, and the way you want to show up in 2026.
Here are some tips on how to find your word for the coming year.
First, Look Back and Reflect
One way to get some ideas and potential word choices flowing is to start by looking back on the past year and answering questions like:
- What worked for you during the past year?
- What didn't work?
- What do you need more of this year?
- What drained you the most?
- When did you feel most like yourself?
- Where did you feel stuck or unsure?
- What were your memorable yeses?
- What were your intentioned nos?
Grab some paper or your journal and reflect on these questions. Be honest with your answers and pay attention to any patterns that start to pop up.
Next, Look Ahead and Aspire
When choosing a word, try to focus on an aspiration, rather than an outcome. Here are some examples of how you can reframe an outcome as an aspiration.
- "Success" is an outcome and a great place to land in the future. But it's words like "consistency" or "craft" that could get you to success.
- "Happiness" is a positive end result. Words like "joy" or "gratitude" could pave the way.
- "Confidence" might be your finish line, but words like "bravery" or "strength" or "trust" can help you take small steps toward confidence.
Think about the person you want to be in December. Try to choose a word that doesn't describe who you already are, but more, who it is that you're slowly becoming. The word might make you feel slightly uncomfortable, but also excited.
Try finishing this sentence: "By the end of 2026, I want to recognize myself as someone who practiced “your word.”
Finally, Personalize Your Word
Once you have your word, give it some personal meaning.
Define what it means to you. Two people might choose the same word but live it in very different ways. Of course, this is OK!
Think about what will anchor your word in your life. It might help to finish this sentence: "In 2026, “your word” means I will...."
Once you have your word, and if you’re up for it, share it with the Trailside Expressions community! We can’t wait to see what 2026 will be for you.