Picking a Word of the Year for 2024

If you have been a part of society at all in the past 5 years, you are familiar with the trend of picking a word of the year in January instead of setting a New Year’s resolution. This word is supposed to be a guide to the new year, a theme instead of a to do list.

I have jumped onto this trend in the past few years and have picked a word at the beginning of the year, or at least sometime before February! These are the words from my last few years:

• Cultivate
• Be
• Rejoice
• Balance

It can be awfully difficult to pick a word, because let’s face it, there are a LOT of words in a LOT of different languages. Some years I just try to see if any word jumps out at me at some point in January, but this year, I took a little more direct approach in picking my word.

How to Pick a Word of the Year

I can’t claim that I came up with this idea all on my own, as it started with an email from my favorite Prayerful Planner (10% off here), but I took their first suggestion and kind of ran with it in my own direction.

Part 1 of Finding Your Word of the Year – Remember:

Step 1: List out at least one good memory or thing from each month of the last year.

Thinking all the way back can be difficult, so look through the photos on your phone or social media posts if you have to. I did a monthly review page in my planner at the end of each month that made this part a lot easier (I have added this page to my weekly digital planner!)

Step 2: List out at least one bad moment or experience from each month of the last year.

Not always the most comfortable moments, but they were learning experiences … right?

Part 2 of Finding Your Word of the Year – Reflection:

Step 3: Look back on the good moments.

Reflect on those good moments. What do they have in common? What made them good? What really stood out in those memories that resonated with you? Write down your thoughts!

Step 4: Look back on the bad moments.

Reflect on the not so great moments. What about them just doesn’t sit well with you? What made them bad or uncomfortable? Is there something in particular that these moments make you want to work on? What could you control or change about these moments? Write down your thoughts!

Part 3 of Finding Your Word of the Year -Review

Review all your reflection writing. Is there a word that stands out? Maybe there is a word that seems to be important but it just doesn’t have quite the right ring to it. That’s when it’s time to go to the thesaurus. Look up the word’s synonyms. If a negative word stands out and its something you want to change, reverse it by looking up its antonyms.

Part 4 of Finding Your Word of the Year -Research and Intentions

After you pick a word, there is a little more work to be done. Do a little research into your word. Look up some definitions and how you want to apply them to your daily life. Find a quote or bible verse (or two) that includes your word that will inspire you throughout the year. Also write down a few intentions on how you intend that word to be a part of your year. I have made this worksheet that you can use to complete this step. I have also included it in my weekly digital planner. Read why I have switched to a digital planner this year here.

You could even go a step farther and engrave your word on a bracelet or other piece of jewelry so it is with you all year!

My Word of the Year for 2024

So now, introducing my word of the year for 2024: Connection.

I realized during my reflecting, the all the moments that made me happy through 2023 were the ones where I felt connected to the people around me. I also realized the reason social media turned me off so bad at the end of the year is because I felt so disconnected from the people around me when using it and had no connection with the people in the photos and videos I was just scrolling through. Therefore my word of the year: Connection.

What word are you picking this year? Comment below!