What to Do with Your Word of the Year

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3

It’s February, and I’m curious what has become of your resolutions that you made just last month? Were you even able to make resolutions while we are still in the wake of 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic? Are you one of the brave few using this time of less social obligations to dedicate yourself to goals and desires that previously eluded your grasp?

I’ll admit I’ve never enjoyed setting goals, likely because I have a hard time envisioning success in achieving those goals. It’s not that I’ve never worked hard for anything, it’s just that I know my desire to be stronger/smarter/healthier/closer to God must outweigh my very strong desire to be comfortable.

I guess it’s the same for everyone, but some people seem to embrace discomfort. They know that doing what’s hard now gives them greater satisfaction later. Or maybe they’re just masochists who live for the thrill of painfully pushing themselves past their limits, I don’t know.

Why choose a word of the year?

If you’re like me and you struggle with wanting to do better but failing to put those desires into action, I think a word of the year can be beneficial for you—especially if you’re an introvert who spends a lot of time thinking about all the things you want to do but may never get around to actually doing them. A word to help you focus your thoughts can motivate you in all areas of your life.

If we can simplify our own thoughts, instead of losing ourselves in overthinking, maybe we can actually put our words into action.

For example in 2019, my word of the year was simplicity. I wanted to stop overthinking things that didn’t need to be complicated, simplify my decision-making process, and start new habits and routines in my home. One word, lots of areas that needed simplifying.

“The power of a single word to cast vision, invite us to more, initiate deeper soul searching, and grow something of value within us—this is the allure of a word of the year.”
–Twyla Franz

How to choose a word of the year.

I linked to some posts below that can help you see how other writers choose their words of the year. For many people, it involves prayer, paying attention to words that they keep noticing, making a list of possible words, considering areas where they need to improve, reading God’s Word, listening to where God may be guiding them. Check out this graphic from Amy Hale on Instagram outlining how she picks her word. When I chose my words for 2019 and 2020, that was how I did it, by paying attention to what word would bring me closer to God in that time.

For me this year, it was quick and easy: I took a quiz. I know that doesn’t seem very Spirit-led, but I did it out of curiosity. Last year, I took this quiz but didn’t use the word it gave me. And this year I had the same initial reaction to not use the word I was given. But after thinking about it for a little while, I decided maybe it was just what I needed, and no other words were coming up as possibilities this time.

What to do with your new word.

After choosing your word, now begins the fun part! How can you keep your word present and not something that falls by the wayside as your resolutions have? Here are some ideas:

• Find verses to memorize or meditate on
• Create a music playlist
• Get a piece of jewelry with your word or verse on it
• Keep a journal where you write about your word regularly
• Make a scrapbook—digital or physical (I love the Project Life app for digital scrapbooking)
• Use Post Its or index cards to keep your word and verses in places where you’ll see them often

The point of having a word of the year, if you’re a Christian, is to help you keep your mind focused on God—it’s not just a word, it’s a word that draws your mind back to God and His plans for you.

My word of the year for 2021.

My word for 2020 was focus. My new word for 2021 is overcome. I’ll be honest, the word intimidates me! And maybe that’s the beauty in following something outside yourself in choosing a word—I would have never picked this for myself. It sounds too big, too giant for my baby steps to handle. But with God—I can be an overcomer, I can move mountains, I can be victorious. This is all very tough language for me to use, too confident, too sure. I’m hoping in 2021 I can grow into this word.

With God, I can overcome…

• my fear of letting myself be fully known
• the stagnant inertia that enables my procrastination
• the overwhelm of too many choices
• my worries about the opinions of others
• the slothfulness that settles in when I sense a project is too big for me
• my own predictions that conflict is awaiting me

So far, I have searched some Bible verses with the word overcome. I love this one: To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). I’m excited to read more into these verses.

I had a bracelet made by MudLOVE, which has been my F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E THING! This is no lie when I say that all I have to do is look at my bracelet to make me get up and do something. I know that I can overcome whatever in my mind is holding me back!

I made a Spotify playlist of songs to put me into an overcomer mood. I also made myself a wallpaper for my phone, so I can be reminded every time I open my phone that I can be an overcomer in Christ.

I’ve made several word of the year phone wallpapers for my email subscribers! If you’d like to subscribe for access to my whole library of free goodies, you can subscribe right below. Let me know your word of the year and I’ll add yours to the collection!

I’d love to make a scrapbook/journal with my word, to keep up with quotes, verses and images that serve as reminders to me. But we’ll see if I get started on that anytime soon!

Posts to Help You Choose Your Word of the Year

Read these posts from fellow hope*writers to learn how they chose their words of the year!

• A New Year, A New Focus by Cassie Lynn Douglas. She gives tips on how to find a word and how to keep it ever present during the year.
• 3 Ways to Find Your 2021 Word by Lisa Garon
• Why I Chose Nevertheless as My 2021 Word of the Year by Twyla Franz
• How to Choose a Word for the Year and Make Your Own Creative Journal by Susie Scarborough

“Of course, every year I choose a word and by December I am surprised at the lessons I’ve learned from following that word. It’s never what I hoped, imagined, or predicted back in January. It always involves surrendering, reckoning and deepening my relationship with the One who was and is the Word from beginning to end.”
–Dorina Gilmore Young

More Words from Writers

• Simplicity
• Enjoy
• Develop
• Vulnerability
• Sit
• Dream
• Soar
• Endure
• Stem
• Embodied
• Health
• Listening
• Open
• Given
• “What’s in a Word?” – A Podcast episode where two friends discuss their words of the year, chosen and alignment.

Keeping our minds focused on God and the work He’s doing in our lives is what brings peace and gratitude and love. I hope your word of the year brings you closer to God and closer to His love and grace.

Do you have a word of the year? What things have you done to keep your word near? I’d love to hear all about it! You can share in the comments below.

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