We Don't Do Resolutions; We Do Word of the Year

Author: Liz Frome

January arrives with a strange mix of energy and exhaustion. We’re coming off the intensity of the holidays, yes—but we’re also presented by the promise of a reset. There’s something clarifying about the calendar turning over, a sense that this could be the moment things click into place. For me, no resolutions—just a word of the year!

For the last ten years, I’ve chosen a word of the year instead of setting resolutions. It guides me through the year and keeps me grounded in what I truly want to accomplish.

How to Choose Your Word of the Year (And Actually Live By It)

Even with that momentum, it’s easy to feel pulled in too many directions at once. Big intentions, half-formed plans, and the pressure to do it all—and to do it all right—can quickly clutter what felt clear just weeks ago. That’s where choosing a word of the year can be so helpful.

Instead of adding more goals, a single word offers focus. It becomes a filter—helping you decide what to say yes to, what to let go of, and how to move through the year with more intention.

What Is a Word of the Year?

A word of the year is a single word you choose to guide how you want to live, feel, and make decisions over the next twelve months. Rather than focusing on what you want to achieve, it centers on how you want to approach your life—your goals, routines, relationships, and everyday choices.

What I love most about this practice is its flexibility. Resolutions tend to be rigid and outcome-driven, which makes them easy to abandon when life gets messy. A word, on the other hand, is something you return to—not something you complete. It offers direction without demanding perfection.

Think of your word as a lens, not a to-do list. You’re not checking it off; you’re letting it shape how you see the year as it unfolds.

Because of that, a word of the year supports intention-setting without adding pressure. It gives you a clear reference point when deciding what to prioritize, what to simplify, and where to focus your energy—without becoming another thing to manage.

Get Started

Begin by writing down three words you’re drawn to right now. Don’t overthink it. These might be words you’ve been noticing lately, qualities you’re craving, or themes that feel relevant to this season of your life.

Next, give yourself a day or two to sit with them. Keep the list somewhere visible—your notes app, your desk, or tucked into a journal—and notice how each word feels as you move through your routine.

Finally, pay attention to which word keeps coming back. The right one often does—shaping how you think, what you notice, or how you make small decisions. That’s usually your cue.

Questions to Help You Reflect

If you’re feeling torn between a few words—or not sure where to start—reflection can help bring things into focus. These questions aren’t meant to be answered all at once. Think of them as prompts to return to on a walk, in your journal, or at the end of the day.

• What do I want more of in my daily life this year?

• Where do I feel overwhelmed or stretched too thin?

• What feels missing right now?

• What quality would help me navigate challenges more calmly?

• What word feels grounding, not demanding?

I love asking people what their word of the year might be and what it means to them. Some people answer immediately. Others sit with it and come back later. And some decide they don’t need a word at all.

After asking more than 100 people, the most common words that emerged were patience, hope, and thrive—a powerful reflection of where many of us are right now.

My Word for 2026: Unshakeable

The last two years brought significant challenges within my company—ones that tested my confidence, patience, and resolve. We moved through them, learned from them, and are now coming out stronger. Because of that, my word for 2026 is unshakeable.

Unshakeable represents steadiness, confidence, and inner strength—regardless of circumstances. It’s the ability to stay grounded when challenges arise and to remain aligned with values and purpose, even when external conditions feel uncertain. Choosing unshakeable sets the intention to respond with resilience rather than fear.

Being unshakeable doesn’t mean avoiding hardship or pretending everything is perfect. It means trusting yourself in the midst of change and choosing clarity over reaction. An unshakeable mindset allows setbacks to become lessons and obstacles to become opportunities for growth. It’s the quiet confidence that says, I can handle this, even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear.

Living unshakeable means showing up consistently, staying aligned with goals, and refusing to be defined by doubt or discouragement. It’s about building strength from within—through self-belief, preparation, and perseverance. As a word of the year, unshakeable serves as a daily reminder to stand firm, move forward with purpose, and trust that you are capable of weathering whatever comes next.

Our Company Words & 2026 Motto

When we looked together as a company, these were the words that surfaced:

Hope. Love. Reset. Dominate. Heal. Intrepid. Unshakeable.

Together, they shaped our motto for 2026:

“Let’s reset the path, heal what is needed, remain unshakable in who we are, move intrepid with love as our anchor, and dominate the future we choose.”

How to Revisit Your Word Throughout the Year

Choosing your word is only the beginning. The real power comes from returning to it—especially when the year starts to speed up, gets crazy, or drift off course.

Make your word visible. Write it at the front of your planner, set it as your phone lock screen, or keep it in a note you revisit weekly. The goal isn’t constant focus—it’s gentle reminders.

Build in simple check-in moments. At the start of each month, ask yourself: Where did I experience this word last month? Where did I resist it?These reflections don’t need to be long or polished—just honest.

When making decisions—big or small—let your word act as a filter. Ask:Does this align with my word? Does it support how I want to feel and move through this year? Sometimes the answer will be yes. Sometimes clarity comes from realizing it’s a no.

Finally, allow your word to evolve. You’re not meant to perfect it. Some seasons will ask you to lean into it more intentionally; others will simply ask for awareness. Returning to your word isn’t about discipline—it’s about recalibration. Your word is there to meet you where you are—not where you thought you’d be in January.

“Here’s to Growth, Clarity, and a Great Unshakeable 2026.”