Ditch the Resolutions—Here’s How to Choose Your Word of the Year (Intuitively)

Ditch the Resolutions—Here’s How to Choose Your Word of the Year (Intuitively)

Resolutions are so last season. Honestly, who decided January was the time to whip out an ambitious list of all the ways we think we’re “not enough”? We’ve barely recovered from the holidays, and now we’re supposed to meal prep, meditate, and conquer the world by February? No, thank you.

Instead of setting yourself up for a year of guilt trips over unchecked to-do lists, what if you chose one word—a guiding theme—to infuse your life with meaning, intention, and focus?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: choosing a Word of the Year is also not new. It’s been around for ages, and yes, it can start to feel as overdone as those 20-step morning routines on Instagram. But here’s where this gets different—and a whole lot more meaningful. Instead of picking a word with your overthinking brain or simply copying someone else’s sparkly idea, you’re going to let your Intuition lead.

This is about tapping into the quiet wisdom within you—the part that already knows what energy will guide you best. And trust me, when you tune into that, the process becomes magic.

First, What’s Intuition (and Why Don’t We Hear It More Often)?

Intuition is that quiet nudge, the inner whisper, the knowing you feel in your gut or heart before your brain talks you out of it. It’s always there, but we drown it out with noise—emails, errands, endless TikTok scrolls, and let’s be honest, our addiction to overanalyzing everything.

When you tap into your intuition, you’re bypassing the part of you that thinks you need to “get it right” and instead letting your deeper wisdom speak. That’s where the magic lives.

Ready to hear it? Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Get Grounded

You can’t hear intuition over the static of a busy mind. The first step is to calm the noise and reconnect to you.

Pick one of these grounding practices to get started:

• Breathwork: Take five slow, deep breaths, in through your nose, out through your mouth. Imagine each inhale clears away the mental clutter, and each exhale roots you in calm presence.
• Movement: Stretch your body, dance like no one’s watching, or take a short walk. Moving shifts energy and gets you out of your head.
• Spiritual Connection: Lean into your personal practices. You might light a candle, say a prayer, meditate, pull a card, or hold an item that feels sacred to you. Whether it’s connecting with ancestors, reading sacred texts, or simply sitting in stillness, the practice is yours to define.
• Sensory Reset: Sip tea, light incense, or listen to a favorite piece of music. Let your senses guide you into the moment.

Once you’re grounded, place a hand on your heart and silently ask yourself:
What energy do I want to invite into my life this year?

Then just… wait. Breathe. See what bubbles up.

Step 2: Let Your Intuition Speak (Automatic Writing Is Your BFF)

Now that you’ve quieted the noise, grab your journal and let it rip. Don’t overthink. Don’t edit. Just write whatever comes up in response to these prompts:

• What do I want to feel more of this year?
• What energy or qualities feel missing from my life right now?
• If my year were a story, what would the title be?
• What word, image, or theme keeps nudging at me lately?

This is about allowing, not controlling. Let your pen move, even if it feels messy. Intuition often speaks in symbols, fragments, or seemingly random ideas. Trust that it’s all part of the process.

Step 3: Listen with Your Whole Self

Now, take a look at what you’ve written. Circle the words or ideas that jump out at you. Close your eyes and sit with them one by one. Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Body Signals: Does one word make your chest feel warm? Does it spark a little excitement in your belly? That’s your intuition saying, “Hey, this one!”
• Visuals and Symbols: Do certain colors, images, or memories pop into your mind when you sit with a word? Those are breadcrumbs from your intuition.
• Your Gut Reaction: Which word just feels right, even if you can’t explain it?

This isn’t about logic. You’re letting the word choose you.

Step 4: Make It Real

Once your word has landed, it’s time to let it become a part of your life. This isn’t just a cute idea—it’s your guide for the year. Here’s how to bring it to life:

• Write it on sticky notes and slap them on your mirror, laptop, or fridge.
• Use it as a mantra during meditation or moments of stress.
• Create a vision board inspired by your word.
• Journal with it regularly: “How am I embodying [your word] today?”
• Make it the background on your phone.

This isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. Let your word gently guide your choices, your energy, and your focus this year.

Some Inspiration for Your Word

Here are some words to get your intuition flowing:

• Radiance: A reminder to shine unapologetically.
• Surrender: Letting go of control and trusting the flow.
• Wild: Embracing freedom, joy, and untamed energy.
• Rooted: A call to deepen and ground yourself.
• Create: Permission to make, play, and explore.

Wrap-Up: Trust the Process

You don’t have to explain your word to anyone else. You don’t even need to fully understand it right now. Just trust that it will reveal its magic as the year unfolds.

So, what’s your word? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what chose you.