Word of The Year for 2021

Today I am talking about picking a word of the year, how I chose mine, and tips to help you pick one, if you decide this is the way to go! 

Tired of New Year’s Resolutions? Struggle to keep them beyond the first few weeks of January? Yeah, me too. I used to pick the same handful of resolutions and felt like a failure when I didn’t end the year as I hoped. Everyone else was making resolutions, so I felt like I had to. But, I don’t. Instead, I pick a word of the year.

The idea is that you pick one word (or two, or three, honestly, you pick how many resonate with you!) that feels right and helps you to focus on your goals and where you want  your life to be at the end of the year. 

Your word is your focus.

You can use the word for goal setting, intentions, and mindfully going about your days. The word will give you focus in different areas in your life.

If you choose presence (like I did last year), you can decide that it means that you want to be a little more present with your children (put away that phone!) and more present at work (time-blocking and the pomodoro method). It could also mean developing a mindfulness practice and making meditation a priority. This is what it meant for me last year, at least. 

By choosing presence, I gave myself a year long focus. Or at least that was my intention… 

Choosing Your Word of the Year

For some of us and some years, the word just comes to us. We just know. 

Other years, it isn’t as easy. On those years, take your time. Spend some time reflecting on what you want out of this year, what you might be struggling with, and what you are missing. Meditate on it. For more on the process I use to pick a word of the year, take a look at last year’s post: 

For me, it is about finding a few words that call out to me. And then sitting with them for a few minutes to narrow them down. Then, I think about my goals and what needs improvement in my life and choose a few that are in line with those goals.

P.S. Don’t be afraid of phrases. Let go, Say yes, Be Still are all great phrases of the year. It just needs to feel right for you.

Word of the Year Suggestions

If you need a little inspiration, take a look at this list. Notice the feelings (both physical and emotional) that you get when you read this list:

Even reading the list again as I edit this post, a few words jump out at me.

When they jump out at you, write them down. Change or add words so it sits right. Then, narrow your list (or don’t. Maybe you need all ten!) and make that your word of the year. 

My Words of the Year

At the halfway mark of 2020, I felt that I had chosen the perfect words for the unusually challenging year. Presence, Progress, and Patience. All three were tested and I had kept my focus. I also added Practice and Perseverance to my list. 

As I write this today, I realize that I lost this focus as the year wore on. Sometime in the late fall, things just sort of stopped. I lost my meditation practice after several years, I stopped actively practicing patience, and I am pretty sure I made no progress on anything.

That brings me to this year’s words:

Release, Reset, Recommit

As usual, I chose more than one word of the year! 

I chose “release” because I know that I need to release last year. I need to learn from it (both the struggles and the unexpected gifts and new habits it gave me). And then I need to release it. I need to acknowledge that under the circumstances, I did pretty close to the best I could, most days. 

And then, I need to LET IT GO. 

I struggle with letting things go and often replay and re-do events and conversations in my head. It is a terrible habit that I have spent years trying to lose. So, this year it is a focus of mine. 

Breathe and release.

My next word is “reset.” To me this word represents two things: resetting from 2020 now and a reminder that should things go differently than planned, I can always reset. I can reset my day, I can reset my week, month, or year. I can reset this hour if I need to. 

It allows me to give myself a “start fresh” moment. This is especially important with a just about to be two-year-old. I do not need to let a tough morning set the tone for the day. I do not need to let disappointments set me back. I do not need to let surprises throw me off of my goals. I can reset. 

Lastly, I want to Recommit to my previous words, goals, and habits. And when I am not as successful as I’d like to be, I am going to release it, breathe, reset and recommit. 

Your Word of The Year

What about you, have you chosen your word of the year? Great! 

Now, let’s go out and release, reset and recommit to 2021! (or whatever your words are!) Let’s do it together. I’ll be back here this summer taking a look at my word and my year, possibly choosing something different. Join me on your commitment to your word of the year.

Like this? Take a look at all of my Word of the Year Posts Here.