What You’ll Learn in This Post

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Choosing your Word of the Year is like choosing the theme song for your next chapter. It is the energy you want to embody, the vibe you want to carry, and the intention you return to when life gets busy or overwhelming. Instead of strict resolutions or unrealistic glow up fantasies, your Word of the Year becomes a gentle guide. A soft anchor. A reminder of who you are becoming in 2026.

In this guide, we walk through simple and intuitive ways to choose your word using prompts, creative exercises, and ritual ideas. You also get a curated list of more than 100 aesthetic and inspiring word ideas.

If you are ready to begin the new year with clarity and intention, you are in the right place.

Why a Word of the Year Works

Having a word of the year gives you a focus for the year ahead. It becomes a theme you can return to whenever life feels busy, overwhelming, or unclear. Instead of juggling a long list of resolutions, you have one guiding idea that helps you stay aligned with what you actually want for yourself.

Your word can reflect who you want to become, how you want to feel, or what you want to create in the new year. It can also help you let go of habits, patterns, or expectations that no longer fit. The power is in the simplicity. One word is easy to remember, easy to work with, and easy to weave into your daily life.

When things start to feel scattered, your word gives you a moment to pause and ask, “Does this support the energy I chose for myself this year?” That quick check in can shift your mindset, your decisions, or your direction in a way that feels gentle instead of pressured.

There are no rules when it comes to having a word of the year. It is not something you have to master or constantly track. It is simply an anchor. A reminder of what matters. A way to move through your year with intention and a little more clarity.

How to Choose Your Word of the Year

Choosing your word of the year doesn’t need to feel complicated. The right word usually comes to you from paying attention to what you want more of, what you are ready to release, and how you want the next chapter of your life to feel.

Here are a few simple ways to find the right word for your year ahead:

1. Start with how you want to feel

Before choosing a word, take a moment to think about the emotional tone you want for your life in the coming year.

Ask yourself:

Your word should match the feeling you are trying to create.

2. Reflect on the past year

Look at the patterns that stood out:

Your word can support the shift you want to make in the areas that mattered most this year.

3. Think about what you want to focus on

Maybe you want more structure or more softness. More creativity or more stability. Maybe you want to simplify. Your word can highlight the direction you want to move in without locking you into specific goals.

4. Use a few journal prompts

These can bring the right word to the surface.

Try writing about:

Look for common themes or repeated ideas.

5. Write a short list of potential words

Start with a list of ten words. Say each one out loud. Cross off anything that feels heavy or forced. Notice which ones feel energizing, calming, or honest.

6. Pay attention to the word that keeps coming back

Most people find that a certain word lingers or repeats itself. That is the word that usually fits best. Even if it feels simple, that is often a sign you found the right one.

7. Choose a word that feels supportive, not stressful

Your word of the year should feel like a guide, not pressure. If a word makes you feel tense or overwhelmed, it’s not your word.

Choose the one that feels grounding and encouraging.

How to Use Your Word of the Year

Once you choose your word of the year, the goal is to weave it into your daily life in small, meaningful ways. You do not need a complicated system. You simply want gentle reminders that help you stay connected to your intention as the year unfolds.

Here are some simple ways to work with your word:

1. Keep it somewhere you will see it

Place your word where it naturally blends into your daily routine.

A few ideas:

Seeing your word often helps keep the energy alive.

2. Use it in your journaling

Start a page with your word at the top and write a few lines about what it means to you that day. It can be one sentence or a full page. The point is reflection, not perfection.

3. Let your word guide small decisions

When you are unsure, check in with your word.
Ask, “Does this support the energy I chose for myself this year?”
Your word can gently influence your choices in a way that feels lightweight but powerful.

4. Incorporate it into monthly or seasonal check ins

At the start of a new month, look at your word again. Ask yourself how it has been showing up and what you might want to adjust. These small resets keep your intention flexible and alive.

5. Use it in your practices or rituals

If you enjoy spiritual or reflective practices, your word can be:

It can help bring depth and meaning to your routines.

6. Let your word evolve with you

Your word of the year does not need to stay rigid. If your life shifts or your energy changes, your word can grow with you. Think of it as a companion for the year, not a rule you have to follow.

Word of the Year Ideas for 2026

If you already have a few ideas floating around, this list can help you clarify the word that feels right for you. If you have no idea where to begin, this list will spark something. Choose the word that feels grounding, inspiring, or honest for the chapter you are stepping into.

Here are some categories to help you explore different directions.

A Simple Word of the Year Ritual

Once you have a few words in mind, this short ritual can help you choose the one that feels right. It is simple, calming, and easy to do even if you are not a “ritual person.”

Step 1: Create a quiet moment

Find a comfortable spot. Light a candle, make tea, or just take a deep breath. This does not need to be elaborate. You are simply creating space to listen to yourself.

Step 2: Write down your top words

Take a piece of paper and write down three to five words that feel close. Seeing the words in front of you helps you sense the difference between what looks good on paper and what feels right for your life.

Step 3: Reflect with a few questions

Ask yourself:

Let your intuition lead here.

Step 4: Sit with the word that stands out

Say the word out loud. Notice how your body reacts. If a word feels grounding, inspiring, or peaceful, that is usually your answer.

Step 5: Seal your intention

Take one slow breath and imagine the energy of your word filling your space. You can place your word somewhere visible or write it in your journal. This moment helps you transition into the new year with intention.

Your word does not need to be perfect. It only needs to feel true for where you are right now.

Free Word of the Year Brainstorm Worksheets

If you want a little help choosing your word, you can download and use our free worksheet, designed to make the process simple and fun. It includes a few quick prompts, a word list starter, and space to write down the words that are calling to you.

Use it for journaling, vision boards, or your New Year intention setting.

It is an easy way to organize your thoughts and choose the word that feels right for your year ahead.

What Will Your 2026 Word of the Year Be?

Choosing your word of the year is not about getting it perfect. It is about choosing a feeling, a direction, or a focus that supports you as you move into a new chapter. Your word can be soft or strong, simple or symbolic.

What matters is that it feels like something you can grow with.

Once you choose your word, let it be a gentle guide. Check in with it when you feel overwhelmed or scattered. Look for ways to bring it into your daily life. Let it help you reconnect with the version of yourself you want to become this year.

If you are still exploring your options, use the prompts and lists in this post as a starting point. Give yourself time. Your word will rise when you are ready for it.

And if you’re craving support in actually living with your word, not just naming it, we’ve created something special for 2026. Our 2026 Creative Challenge is a yearlong, low-pressure creative journey designed to help you explore your intentions through reflection, creativity, and personal growth, one month at a time.

Here’s to a clear, intentional, and meaningful year ahead.

Cheers!

Jenny