Have you heard about discovering your one word of the year? Maybe you have tried that in previous years as a part of your New Year’s celebration. This is my 4th year choosing a particular word for the new year, and I love going through the process. It involves prayer, some thought, and a little patience. I’ll give you the quick method if you haven’t done it before since we’re already in 2022. If you have done it, consider this a refresher course or maybe a little boost to land on your word.
What is Your One Word of the Year?
Just like most people set New Year’s resolutions, a lot of people also choose a word of the year. It came into being several years ago. There have been books written, articles posted, and I’m sure even classes given on what your word of the year could be. It’s very simple! It’s a word of your choice that will help you focus on an idea, an action, or a character trait for the ensuing months.
It can be compelling because if you work it right, you’ll be laser-focused on that one concept, and changes in many other parts of your life can also flow from that word. Your personal and business goals could be affected. The direction of your spiritual growth might be impacted as well. Any part of your life that you choose to bring into this process might be powerfully changed by this word.
Your Word of the Year is a Good Thing
We’ve mentioned a few positive effects of your word of the year, but let’s go a little deeper with this and consider the changes you might see in your day-to-day life. Isn’t that where we hope our resolutions and goals will also make a difference? If our daily lives aren’t impacted, why bother?
The trick is to keep your word in your FACE! How might you do that? Here’s a quick list: make it your phone wallpaper, put it on your fridge, or create a printed poster for your office. Think about where you will see it and then change it every month. It’s like the ‘piles phenomena’. After a while, the piles go invisible, and you forget they’re there.
Keep your word of the year for 2022 nearby when you’re goal-setting. I love setting my goals per quarter (left over from my teaching days). When I sit down to crank out Q1’s Big 4, I’ll have my word to inspire and direct me. If you’ve got a ‘good word,’ it will guide you through life, business, home, and faith goals. I challenge you and me to be aware of our words throughout the year. If we are, our results will be vastly different than if we opted to bypass this process. Pretty exciting, right?!
Choosing Your Word of the Year
The best resource for discovering your unique word is your brain. And, your heart. Use your imagination to guide your heart when attempting to land on that word. And, pray. Ask God to guide you to the best word this year. He will. Of course, using resources might be a part of that process.
Here is a list of published resources if you’re interested in researching and finding more information about the process. Some resources also have lists of words. Don’t settle too quickly on your word, but those lists can ‘prime the pump’ of your thinking. On the other hand, if you find a word on a list and it feels right to you, take it as your own. There are no rules about copying! And there are also no rules about changing your word midstream, especially if you’re new to the whole concept.
My One Word of the Year 2023
I told you near the beginning of this post that I’d chosen mine for the year.
My one word for 2023 is JOY! And I’m very excited to be able to focus on such a powerful word throughout what could prove to be another challenging year. JOY became my word when my eyes fell on one of my Christmas presents.
Here are a few ‘joy verses’ for you:
- Romans 12:12 (TPT) – Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.
- Psalm 16:11 (NLT) – You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) – But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.
- John 15:11 (NLT) – I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
- James 1:2 (NLT)– Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
- Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!
- Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) – …the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Three years ago, in 2020, my word was ‘Shine’. I loved that word! It encouraged me to ‘shine my light’ in various ways throughout the year. My blog update to become more openly faith-based late in the year was a part of that word’s effect. I’m not going to stop ‘shining,’ but now I’m ready for a new focus.
My word for 2021 landed in my brain in early January. I’d been thinking about it and had mentioned it as a quick prayer, but that was all I did this year. And, then, that morning, I woke up with the word ‘Transformation’ on my heart. There was no doubt that was my one word for this year! Plans, thoughts, and possibilities chugged around in my head shortly after my word landed.
My word of the year for 2022 was ABIDE’ This word has been a part of my life for many years. It’s taken from older versions of John 15: 4-5. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:4-5 NKJV
Let’s Wrap This Up
Are you ready to begin choosing your word of the year? Has this post inspired you to give it a try? I hope so! Would you share your word below? We would love to hear your word (maybe you’ve already completed the process). And, if you like to share, how will you apply your word to your life and your planning for this year?
One of my favorite posts on Quiet Hollow is called “What is This Thing Called Hope?” If you opt for the word HOPE as your one word, it could give you some great ideas for the year. Plus, it’s an encouraging ray of sunshine for your life.
Also, here’s a little form for you to print and record your word. 💕
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
