Dear universe, what’s my guiding word for 2025?
As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past year while also thinking about the year ahead. My dietitian brain gravitates toward SMART goals, while my creative brain is filled with scribbles and unfinished drafts. Quite the conflict, I know.
I’m all for goal-setting and taking action, but sometimes it feels overwhelming. I have personal goals, relationship goals, financial goals, health and wellbeing-related goals, travel goals, creative projects goals, books I want to read, things I want to learn — how can I possibly fit this all into one year?
Back in 2016, I came across an article about choosing a theme word for the new year. At the time, I was in the thick of my dietetic internship and bracing myself for a wild year. I chose the word fearless, knowing I’d need a little extra oomph to tackle clinical rotations, harsh feedback, and those caffeine-fueled late-night study sessions.
Fearless served as my mantra. I said it out loud, wrote it on post-its, scribbled it across notebooks, and even taped it to the wall in front of my desk at eye level — my constant reminder to keep pushing forward.
On days when I was sleep deprived and depleted, I’d glance at that word and push myself to keep going. When tough decisions came up, I took risks and dared to think BIG. When self-doubt crept in, I’d say that word like it was a magic spell, summoning my inner delulu.
By the end of the year, I reflected on what fearless had truly meant for me. It wasn’t about living without fear — it was a lesson in feeling the fear and showing up anyway. Sure, I checked off some SMART goals (because what dietetic student wouldn’t?), but it was that guiding word that really got me through. Whether it offered a gentle nudge, a firm shove, or a blunt “you have no fucking choice,” fearless was there, reminding me of exactly what I needed in those moments.
Some years, I know exactly what goals I want to set. Other years, it all just feels overwhelming. By simplifying what I need into one word, I can at least take one step forward. More often than not, that first step leads to the next, and before I know it, I have a full set of goals and intentions that get me excited for a fresh start.
If the thought of setting goals for the next year makes you want to hide under a blanket, choosing a guiding word can be a fun (and less stressful) alternative. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, grab a cozy drink, a pen, and some paper — let’s do a little exercise.
Here are some questions to help you brainstorm your guiding word for 2025:
What do you want to let go of in 2025?
How do you want to feel in the new year?
What’s something you think you need more of in your life?
What ideas or words make you feel empowered, excited, aligned?
Now, jot down any words or phrases that come up. For example, if you want to let go of self-doubt, your word might be courage, empowerment, or even I’m that b!tch. If you’re looking to feel lighter, you might lean toward ease, flow, or let that shit go.
My word for 2024 is self-expression. I’m still processing what this word has meant for me over the past year, but one thing is crystal clear — self-expression has been a source of healing. Through writing and creating, I’ve felt closer to the version of myself I’ve been trying to reconnect with for years. She’s been whispering to me for so long, but this year? She was screaming. I couldn’t ignore her any longer.
Thanks to my guiding word, I think I’ve arrived.