How to Choose Your Word of the Year for 2027 (Plus 60 Ideas)

A word of the year is a single word you choose to guide your new year: a direction instead of a list of resolutions. To choose your word of the year for 2027, ask yourself who you want to become and what you want to feel more often, write down the words that come to mind, then keep the one that truly speaks to you, not the one you think you "should" pick. Here's a simple five-step method and 60 word of the year ideas to inspire you.

Why a word instead of resolutions

Resolutions often feel like rules: do this, stop that. The first time you slip, it feels like failure, and it's tempting to drop the whole thing. A word works differently. As a clinical psychologist quoted by AARP puts it, a value is something you can always be moving toward: your word is a direction, not a destination. There's no way to fail, only days when you get a little closer.

A word of the year can also help you:

• make decisions ("Does this choice fit my word?");
• stay on track when January's excitement fades;
• connect your goals around a single intention.

How to choose your word in 5 steps

1. Look back at the year that's ending

Before you choose, do a quick reflection. What was missing in 2026? What felt good? If you were exhausted, your word might be about rest. If you felt stuck, it might be about movement.

2. Picture the person you want to become

Close your eyes and imagine yourself a year from now, at the end of 2027. How do you feel? How do you spend your days? Write down five to ten words that describe that version of you. This is one of the approaches coaches recommend in AARP's article: start with who you want to become, then narrow the list.

3. Choose a word you want to live out

Keep the word that pulls you in, not the one you feel obligated to pick. "Discipline" might sound like a good word, but if your heart is asking for "gentle," that's probably your word. A word that makes you smile or gives you a little spark is usually a good sign.

4. Don't ask for approval

Your word belongs to you. Choosing it on your own, without checking whether others like it, makes it more personal. You can share it later if you want to.

5. Test it for a few days

Carry your word with you for a week. Does it still motivate you? Does it help you make choices? If nothing really resonates, come back to your list in a week or two. There's no rush.

60 word of the year ideas

These words are just starting points. Read them slowly and notice which ones you react to.

For more calm and gentleness

1. Gentle
2. Peace
3. Slow
4. Breathe
5. Rest
6. Simple
7. Balance
8. Present
9. Serenity
10. Light

For moving forward and being brave

1. Dare
2. Momentum
3. Bold
4. Courage
5. Move
6. Action
7. Persevere
8. Steady
9. Forward
10. Begin

For taking care of yourself

1. Kindness
2. Health
3. Listen
4. Welcome
5. Energy
6. Roots
7. Nourish
8. Refuge
9. Boundaries
10. Comfort

For growing and discovering yourself

1. Curious
2. Learn
3. Authentic
4. Confidence
5. Freedom
6. Clarity
7. Truth
8. Wisdom
9. Bloom
10. Become

For joy and gratitude

1. Joy
2. Savor
3. Thankful
4. Wonder
5. Shine
6. Laugh
7. Play
8. Celebrate
9. Abundance
10. Sunshine

For connection and heart

1. Together
2. Family
3. Share
4. Tenderness
5. Friendship
6. Generous
7. Forgive
8. Hope
9. Heal
10. Renew

How to live your word all year

Choosing the word is the easy part. The best part is letting it walk beside you for twelve months. A few simple ideas:

• Write it everywhere. On the first page of your planner, as your phone wallpaper, on a sticky note on the mirror.
• Turn it into actions. For your word, write three concrete actions. For example, "Slow": one screen-free evening a week, saying no to one extra commitment, walking without earbuds.
• Ask your word. When you face a decision, ask yourself, "What would my word choose?"
• Check in every month. At the end of each month, note one moment when you lived your word and one moment when you wish you had lived it more.

The American Psychological Association notes that lasting change comes from small, specific, realistic steps, and that a slip isn't a failure: you simply get back on track. That's exactly the spirit of a word of the year.

Your word in your journal

Our Fresh Start 2027 journal has a page dedicated to your word of the year, right after the 2026 review, the wheel of life and your values. It then helps you link that word to your goals, your quarterly plans and your monthly check-ins, so it doesn't just stay on paper.

What if your word changes along the way?

That's allowed. Life changes, and your word can change with it. After big news, a loss or a move, the word you picked in January might not fit anymore. You can choose a new one, or add a second word for the second half of the year. Your word is there to help you, not to pressure you.

Frequently asked questions

What is a word of the year?

It's one word you choose to give your year a direction. It replaces or complements resolutions: instead of a list of rules, you have an intention that guides your everyday choices.

When should I choose my word of the year?

Many people choose it in December, during their end-of-year reflection, so they're ready on January 1. But you can choose it anytime, even in February or on your birthday.

Can I choose more than one word?

Yes, but a single word is easier to remember and live by. If you're torn between two, see whether they share a common idea, or save the second one for later in the year.

How do I know it's the right word?

The right word speaks to you, motivates you and helps you decide. If you have to convince yourself to like it, it's probably not the one. Try it for a week before you commit.

Sources

• AARP: Why You Should Consider Picking a Word of the Year
• American Psychological Association: Making lifestyle changes that last

This article is written with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the Lantern Days team. It does not replace advice from a professional. See our Artificial intelligence page.