New Year New Word
Picking a word for the year is a beautiful way to start a new calendar year and it has become a popular intention-setting practice over the last few years. Have you picked a word for your year before? The first time I picked a word was in 2013, and I chose the word resilience. Looking back, this word was perfect for what was (and still has been) the worst year of my life.
There are many ways to choose a word for the year. Some folks take a practical approach, choosing a word to help set their intention or reflect their goals. Others choose a word with meaning while others allow a word to come to them in more mysterious ways. However you choose, my hope is your word serves as an anchor, a source of inspiration and a an agent of curiosity throughout the coming year.
Need help choosing a word?
Photo Credit: Marion Kroell
Choosing Your Word For The Year
Step 1: Letting Go
Letting go of the previous year is an important way to enter into your new season. I suggest lighting a candle or lying down on your yoga mat, and practice some deep breathing as you reflect on the last 12months.
Ask yourself questions like…
What was good about last year?
What was difficult about last year?
What do I need to release and not take with me into the next year?
What do I need to continue to keep with me in the next year?
What am I grateful for?
What are some beautiful moments from last year?
Let the answers come and go, no need to write them down, just practice mindfully acknowledging the thoughts and memories as you focus on relaxing.
Step 2: Free Flow
Once you feel ready to move past last year, get ready to write! Allow yourself to freely jot down any words that come to you. The goal here is free flow writing, no editing just yet, aim for around 5 min of writing.
Step 3: Zero In
Now that you have brainstormed a lovely list of words, start narrowing in by circling or highlighting certain words that stand out to you.
Sometimes a single word jumps off the page and refuses to go unnoticed (that could be a clue that this is your word). Other times a theme emerges from a group of words. If you find yourself working with a group of words look for themes or repeating ideas and allow yourself to choose a word that best represents those emerging ideas.
Step 4: Own It
Once you select a word have fun getting to know it! Here are some ideas …
Write it in your journal.
Look up the definition.
Create a piece of collage art, or visual art around the word.
Make a playlist of songs that reflect the meaning of your word.
Write it on sticky notes and place the word in meaningful locations.
Tell a friend about your word.
I hope your new word provide a sense of magic, joy and hope as you enter a new year. Thank you so much for participating in one of my favourite practices!
Here is a video of a group of us walking through the steps!
