choosing a word of the year

The practice of choosing a word (or mantra) creates an intention as you reflect on how you want your next year to unfold. Practices like this anchor us and remind us to think about how we really want to live and reflect on what we want to invite into our lives.

Having a word or intention to focus on gives me a sense of rootedness throughout my day. It connects me to the sacred and to the everyday moments and often becomes part of me, like a trusted companion that walks beside me.

When I’m choosing a word to be my guide for the year, I think about all that could happen in a year. I want my word to bring me back to center amidst whatever challenges, beauty, and uncertainty await. For me, this isn’t about choosing a word or mantra that will invite me to have unrealistic expectations for myself or my daily life.

Rather, it’s about choosing a word that lifts me up and is a safe space to land even as it may often challenge me.

Here's one of my favorite ways to choose a mantra or word of the year:

Spend some time journaling about what you want to invite into your life. As you're writing, think about the words or phrases that feel most supportive. Write them down. And then over the next few days, keep your heart and ears open for other words and mantras that might be the right companion for you. Jot them down.

Sit in the quiet for a few moments each day and just notice what comes up, coming back to this idea of thinking about what would most support you. Then, revisit your journal and write a few more thoughts about what you’ve discovered. Read over your writing to see if your mantra might be waiting for you. You can even fill a page with possible words and phrases.

What often happens to me is that I'll start to notice a word - in quotes on Pinterest, in conversation, in articles and books, and it won't let me go. It just keeps tapping on me. Sometimes there's a "YES! This is my word!" internal response. Sometimes there is resistance. I sit with it. I check in with myself. I start to tell a couple of trusted people. And then I journal about it and usually admit to myself that it is just what I need.

You can also let yourself try on a word or mantra for a while. This is a “choose your own adventure” kind of practice, which means you can choose to move on from a mantra at any time. You aren’t choosing a tattoo design, at least not yet, but are instead simply working with words in a powerful way.

As you work with this practice, begin to notice how it gives you an access point to presence in the midst of whatever a day hands you as you slow down and deeply connect with you. 

I'll share my own word later this week and how it found me. And if you've chosen a word or intention, I'd love to hear about it. 

If you'd like to wear or hold a Soul Mantra to help you stay even more connected to your practice, I'd love to make one for you. All the word of the year designs + the This is My Year manifesto and bundle can be found right here on the Soul Mantras site. 

This year, I’ll also be following along with Ali Edwards’ One Little Word project like I do every year. It’s an online class to help you stay connected to your word throughout the year. Updated to add: Excited to share that I’m one of the teachers in Ali’s 2021 and 2022 One Little Word classes. Come along and join us!