A word of the year is a gentler alternative to a resolution. Instead of a rule, you pick one word that describes how you want 2027 to feel, and let it guide small decisions. These word of the year ideas are grouped by theme, and each one comes with a daily habit and a person to share it with.
That last part is the trick. A word on its own is a nice intention that's forgotten by February. A word plus one small daily habit plus one person who checks in is something you'll still be living in June.
How to choose your word
Ask what you want more of next year, and what wore you out this year (the opposite is often your word). Write down three candidates, live with them for a week, and keep the one you keep thinking about.
The rule: one word, one habit, one person
New year intentions fail for the same reasons resolutions do: they're vague and private. So give your word two anchors:
- One daily habit that makes the word concrete. If your word is "calm," the habit might be five minutes of quiet after lunch.
- One person who knows your word and checks in. A friend, partner, sibling or small group.
A small trick that helps: name the habit after the word. "Calm: five quiet minutes after lunch" reads like a promise to yourself every time you see it. If you track it in Daily Pact, that's the name your friend sees next to your check-in each day, so they're reminded of your word as often as you are.
Word of the year ideas for calm and rest
| Word | One daily habit | Do it with |
|---|---|---|
| Calm | Five quiet minutes after lunch | A coworker |
| Rest | Same bedtime every weeknight | Your partner |
| Slow | Eat one meal a day without a screen | Your family |
| Peace | Write down one worry, then close the notebook | A close friend |
| Breathe | Three slow breaths before opening email | A coworker |
| Gentle | One kind sentence to yourself in a journal | A friend going through a lot |
| Quiet | No phone for the first 30 minutes of the day | A roommate |
| Still | Five minutes of meditation | A friend who wants to start too |
| Simplify | Remove one thing from your home or calendar | A sibling |
| Enough | No online shopping on weekdays | Your partner |
Words for health and energy
| Word | One daily habit | Do it with |
|---|---|---|
| Strong | 10 push-ups or squats | A gym friend |
| Move | 20 minutes of movement | A walking buddy |
| Energy | Water before coffee | A morning person you know |
| Nourish | A vegetable with lunch | A housemate |
| Outside | 20 minutes outdoors | A neighbor |
| Vitality | Stretch before bed | Your partner |
| Fuel | Bring lunch from home | A coworker |
| Steady | A walk after dinner | A parent |
| Clear | A month without alcohol (see Dry January with friends) | Friends doing it too |
| Restore | Lights out by 11pm | A friend who also stays up too late |
Words for growth and courage
| Word | One daily habit | Do it with |
|---|---|---|
| Brave | One small uncomfortable thing a day | A friend who'll ask what it was |
| Bold | Share one idea at work | A mentor |
| Begin | 10 minutes on the project you keep postponing | A creative friend |
| Grow | Read 10 pages | A two-person book club |
| Curious | Learn one new thing and tell someone | Your kids |
| Learn | 10 minutes of a language | A friend learning the same one |
| Create | Write, draw or play for 15 minutes | Another maker |
| Practice | 15 minutes on an instrument | A music friend |
| Focus | Start the day with your most important task | A colleague |
| Finish | One step on an unfinished project | Someone who'll celebrate with you |
| Discipline | Do it before 9am | A friend in the same time zone |
| Courage | Say no to one thing a week | A friend who's good at it |
Words for connection
| Word | One daily habit | Do it with |
|---|---|---|
| Together | Check in on one shared habit | One friend, every day |
| Present | Phone in another room at dinner | Your family |
| Connect | Text one friend a day | That friend |
| Family | A weekly call to a parent or grandparent | Your siblings |
| Kind | One kind act a day | Your partner |
| Generous | Give something small each week | A friend |
| Listen | Ask one more question before answering | Your partner |
| Show up | Keep every plan you make | Your oldest friend |
| Love | Write one thing you appreciate about someone | Your partner |
| Faith | A daily prayer or devotional | Your church group |
| Serve | One helpful thing for someone | Your small group |
Connection words are the easiest to share with more than one person. A family can live "Together" with one walk a day, and a church small group can take "Faith" or "Serve" as a group, each person checking in on the same habit.
Words for joy and attitude
| Word | One daily habit | Do it with |
|---|---|---|
| Joy | Write down one good moment | A friend who sends theirs back |
| Gratitude | Three good things before bed | A partner |
| Play | Do one thing purely for fun | Your kids |
| Light | Laugh at something on purpose | Your funniest friend |
| Adventure | One new place a month | A friend who loves planning |
| Yes | Say yes to one invitation a week | Whoever invites you |
| Wonder | A short walk with no headphones | A neighbor |
| Hope | Write one thing you're looking forward to | A friend |
| Open | Try one new food or idea a week | Your partner |
That's 52 words. If none fits, you can borrow from our goals for the new year list: most goals there hide a word inside them.
Making the word stick
Put it where you'll see it. Phone lock screen, a note on the mirror, the first page of a notebook.
Start the habit on January 1. A month is a good first stretch. That's the idea behind the January Pact: one small habit, one friend, every day from January 1 to 31. Our January challenge has a plan you can borrow.
Check in daily, not monthly. The word reminds you why. The habit and the check-in are what keep it going. A printed habit tracker works, or an app where you and your person each tap once a day and see who showed up. Some words suit a weekly rhythm better ("Adventure", "Yes", "Generous"), and a weekly check-in works just as well.
Common questions
What is a word of the year? A single word that sets the theme for your year, used instead of (or alongside) a resolution. It shapes small choices rather than setting a strict rule.
Is a word of the year better than a resolution? It's softer, which helps people who've felt beaten by resolutions. On its own it's easy to forget, so pair it with one daily habit. Our guide to keeping New Year's resolutions applies to both.
Can a family or group share one word? Yes. A family or small group picking one word together, like "together" or "outside," and doing one habit each day works well, because everyone checks in on everyone.
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