Word of the Year; Cliché or Mind Hack?
2026 rolled on over and there’s a great divide on how to treat the New Year. No one dare claim it as their own yet bucket lists, resolutions, un-resolutions, and the like swirl and spin this January like every other. But what are the real things that impact the lives we seek to live? How about the elicit word of the year? No, not the one dictionaries pick showcasing how our world is ever changing and those not-word-words somehow become words anyway. And in case you’re wondering Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year is rage-bait… but I digress.
Mental Health isn’t static and I’m all about learning the ways that work for me to coax my mind into doing the things I want it to do; especially when it’s fighting me. I’ve done word of the year a few times here and there without too much fanfare or hoopla, but it turns out I hadn’t understood the assignment. Partway through 2021 I picked up this habit again out of sheer need to remind myself continuously that if all I did was SURVIVE it was enough. I read several blogs and a book or two that included tips that helped me get better results.
Here’s what the last few years looked like for me:
2021: Survive; Sometimes that’s all that matters.
2022: Connect; Help others survive until we can do better
2023: Stay; Searching for meaning, forgiveness, and healing
2024: Change; Intentional growth and hard truth
2025: Thrive; Radical Self Acceptance
Over the years I’ve gleaned some information about this topic that has helped me reap better rewards. This year, Ben Meer, a systems thinking guy, inspired me to share from his Sunday newsletter. In it he referenced this cool tidbit that a single-word theme is what psychologists call a self-cue, a short phrase your brain can retrieve instantly without elaborate planning. Ben uses an impact scale to define how effective he’s found a particular method and gives this one a 9 out of 10. Given my past few years successes, I’d have to agree.
So why am I sharing this on a mental health blog? Many people I speak with each year are looking for ways to relieve the pressure. To simultaneously find joy and meaning in the time that seems to pass ever faster while also not drowning under the weight of their own struggles. Having a single word that aligns your intentions for your own life with a powerful reminder helps your brain reduce decision fatigue and noise.
Years ago I read Shanda Rhimes book Year of Yes. The premise is after being called out for only working and always saying no to the social outing, the gathering, the red carpet, the whatever… she committed to saying yes to everything for an entire year. That’s an intense commitment to a word of the year and if you’re so inclined it’s a good read about taking ownership of your life and seeing habits, activities, and commitments in a different light. And how her word of the year, Yes, changed her life. Fun fact I didn’t know a 10 year anniversary edition released last year with updates to how the theme continued to change her life, adding that to the TBR* pile. For more on the book, visit Shonda’s blog Q&A on the Year of Yes.
Make your word of the year visible
Word of the year “Thrive” appears in neon pink on black background
If you’d like to have your word as an overarching theme without much more than the word as a beacon or a guiding light – write it somewhere you’ll see it. Set random alarms on your phone to flash it at you from time to time so it’s not systematic and can’t just become another snoozed thing you’ve no intention of completing. Mail a postcard to yourself when out of town so it shows up and makes you smile. If you have a tough decision to make about how you’ll spend time or other resources, ask yourself if it aligns with your word of the year and how you want to show up for yourself.
If you want a more systematic approach, implement it into your likely already working habits. For instance you could add a section to your bullet journal to track it weekly, monthly, or whatever timeframe resonates for you. Use it in your time blocking or planning approach to include activities that support your theme. During my theme year of Stay, I incorporated weekly walks alone in a beautiful area and a new modality of therapy that ultimately changed my life. The key here isn’t about perfection but about making it work for you. And the only way to do that is to try, see what you like and don’t like, and keep moving forward.
Thinking of trying out your own Word of the Year? Don’t spin out on the perfect word. Whatever comes to mind first is fine, or write options down and try them on for a day or two. Or work backwards and think about a phrase that defines what it is you want to look back on 2026 and remember. How do you want to feel? Brave? Accomplished? Connected? Alive? There’s no wrong answer. No test at the end. Just steps along the way to living a life that you can remind your brain when it wants to run away, you’re living on your terms. One awkward, beautiful step at a time.