The Power of a Word: Setting Intentions for the Year
How One Word Can Shape Your Year and Your Perspective
Every January, I choose a word—a single intention—to carry with me through the year. It’s more than just a word; it becomes a promise, a lens, a touchstone for how I navigate the months ahead. As a formally trained attorney, I love to pick words apart. I don’t stop at the dictionary definition; I study what the word is, what it isn’t, what it’s close to, and what nuances it holds. Each year, this exploration becomes a deeply personal journey of honoring, understanding, and soaking my life in the essence of that word. To truly understand something, I believe you must also study what it is not. It’s in exploring the contrasts—the opposites, the near-misses, and the boundaries—that the word’s true depth reveals itself. It’s like holding a gemstone up to the light, turning it over and over, to see every facet.
Last year, my word was reverence. Reverence, by definition, is a deep respect for something or someone, often imbued with a sense of awe or sacredness.
At first, I struggled with it. Reverence felt deeply rooted in religion, a realm I hadn’t explored much, having not grown up with one. This initial discomfort sent me on a quest to uncover what I revere. What do I hold so close to my heart that it feels sacred? Over time, I discovered that reverence isn’t confined to religious rituals. It’s in the quiet moments of awe, the way my heart swells when I witness the beauty of life—a sunset, deep belly laughs, the vision of my future husband and children.
The journey wasn’t without detours. I’ll admit that at times, I lost sight of reverence amid the noise of life and heart-space ventures. But eventually, I found my way back, more sure than ever of the dream I hold dear. With reverence, I realized that honoring the sacredness of my work, my dreams, myself, and my path is what makes them meaningful.
This year, my word is blossom.
Blossom—to bloom, to thrive, to open up fully. It’s such a rich word, full of beauty and vitality. But what does it really mean to blossom? And what must happen to create the conditions for blossoming?
Like a flower, before we can blossom, there’s a period of unseen work. Seeds germinate in the dark, buried in the soil, breaking open and sending roots downward before anything emerges above ground. This stage is quiet, gritty, and essential. It reminds me to honor the unseen growth, the moments of preparation that feel unglamorous but are so necessary.
To blossom, the environment must also be supportive. The seed needs sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. For me, that means asking: What environment supports my blossoming? What relationships, habits, and spaces nourish my growth? What must I prune or release to allow room for my petals to unfurl?
And blossoming isn’t a one-and-done process. Flowers don’t bloom in perpetuity. They follow cycles—of dormancy, of growth, of blooming—over and over again. I’m reminded to be patient with myself, to trust the process, and to appreciate each stage of the cycle as part of the whole.
This year, I’m excited to play with the word blossom. To explore its definitions and metaphors, to embody its energy, and to create conditions that support my growth. Playing with the word is half the fun; the other half is seeing how it shapes my year in ways I couldn’t predict.
If you’re inspired to choose your own word of the year, here’s a list to get you started. Choose something that feels like a promise you’re ready to make to yourself, a lens you’re excited to see your year through.
Personal Growth
Evolve
Expand
Flourish
Transform
Resilient
Breakthrough
Thrive
Mindfulness & Presence
Grounded
Balance
Flow
Harmony
Stillness
Presence
Simplicity
Ambition & Success
Focus
Momentum
Bold
Empower
Intentional
Purpose
Drive
Connection & Love
Kindness
Nurture
Compassion
Unity
Vulnerable
Radiate
Creativity & Exploration
Create
Imagine
Wander
Discover
Vision
Curiosity
Spark
Healing & Self-Care
Renew
Gentle
Release
Restore
Wholeness
Peace
Embrace
Abundance & Gratitude
Prosper
Joy
Gratitude
Generous
Abundance
Celebrate
Glow
Take a moment to reflect on what resonates with you. What word feels like the guiding star for your year? I’d love to hear what you choose and how you plan to honor it throughout the year.
