Word of the Year Ideas to Choose from for 2025

Choosing a word of the year instead of doomed-to-fail resolutions allows you to adapt your vision to the challenges of the year ahead.

According to a study from the University of Scranton, only about 19% of New Year’s resolutions stick for two years. That’s less than 1 in 5. Honestly, I couldn’t find any stats on the success rates of choosing a word of the year, but I can’t imagine it performs worse than that.

The beauty of picking a word for the year is that it’s more flexible and adaptable than a traditional resolution. Think about 2025—how the digital age and the cultural conversation have pushed us to adapt faster than ever. The way internet culture and online communities shape our lives is a good reminder of how quickly things can change.

A word of the year feels less like a rigid goal and more like a thoughtful way to stay anchored to your priorities. It might help you navigate the perceived dangers of virtual life or find balance in the age of in the age of social media and constant digital distractions.

It’s also a reflection of the times. Take the Oxford Word of the Year, for example. It often captures the cultural impact of the past year, much like a linguistic time capsule. Maybe your word will represent a personal trend or something you’ve noticed in the real world or the virtual space while consuming online content.

Brain Rot and Declining Cognitive Ability

“Brain rot” might sound like a slang term, but it’s a real issue, especially with how much content we consume on digital platforms each day. We’re grappling with mindless digital media usage, mostly seen in our constant scrolling through search engine results and trying to keep up with social media buzz. Sooner or later, it starts to wear on our focus, and it’s a big problem affecting both younger generations and older folks alike.

The term has gained traction thanks to TikTok and its users who can’t get enough of viral fame. It perfectly captures the mental drain we feel from overloading on low-value content, which leads to the supposed deterioration of a person. It’s that gradual sense of decline when you can’t focus or think clearly anymore. And that’s where focusing on a new word this year can make a difference. It could be a very basic Anglo-Saxon term for you or something that could spark the interest of the best language experts. What matters is the thoughtful use of the word.

For example, choosing a word like “focus” or “clarity” could help you fight this. It might push you to unplug, reclaim your free time, and get back to what matters. Think of it as a chance to stop the consequence of profit-seeking from hijacking your day. Yes, every online platform you’re on is all about good ol’ mammon.

“Brain rot” may feel like a dumpster fire, but reclaiming your focus with a word of the year can help turn things around. Choosing the right word from the English language can create space for good things and reset your mental state, helping you disconnect from the time-stealing reality our virtual lives have become. It’s time to stop being a digital zombie and instead enter an intellectual state where your mental abilities get a nice little boost. I bet your overall mental health will improve too.

Choose your word of the year

As you reflect on your word of the year for 2025, ask yourself:

>> What do you need this year?

>> What will improve your life, your outlook, your relationships?

>> List your (realistic) goals and what you need to achieve them

>> What personality trait would bring your more peace in your life?

>> If you made a resolution, what would help you achieve it?

>> What form of self-care would make you more content?

>> What do you need to reduce in your life?

Resolutions are often a focused segment of a larger overarching goal. A word of the year is more the aura of that goal. Choosing the word health is more than going to the gym: it could involve yoga, meditation, starting therapy, and/or improving your diet. In recent years, this concept has gained new prominence as people embrace a more holistic view of well-being. 

Just as the Cambridge Dictionary or Collins Dictionary may highlight terms like artificial intelligence or dynamic pricing for their rising relevance, personal goals are no longer just about the traditional definition of fitness; they are about a mindful way of achieving a balanced lifestyle. This shift in perspective is an interesting example of how language and personal development can reflect the evolving times.

Wondering how to get started on your hunt for the word of the year? The Goal Chaser has a huge list of ideas for choosing your word of the year if you need inspiration.

Define how your word of the year impacts your daily life

Write this down. Figure out at least 3 ways to “do” your word of the year.

If your word is gratitude, you could

• purchase a gratitude journal
• make a daily calendar entry (with reminders) to write in your journal,
• make asking “what was the best part of your day?” part of your family dinnertime conversation

For the word slow, you could

• commit to having after-school/after-work activities no more than twice per week
• say “no” or “I have to check my calendar” when you receive an invitation, rather than immediately responding with a “yes”
• download a meditation app, activate the reminders, and start meditating one minute each day

Make your word part of your life

Make your word of the year part of your life…a big, in-your-face part of your life. Write it on sticky notes and post it on your

• bathroom mirror
• computer screen
• refrigerator
• car dashboard

Post the word anywhere you look every day, so it seeps into the very fabric of your life.

Make your word the wallpaper on your phone, so you see it 500 times a day. Use a website like Canva to make a pretty jpg of your word with a photo or background pattern – choose something inspiring or enjoyable to look at. Save that to your phone, computer, or tablet so you can look at it often. 

Remember to be flexible & gentle with yourself

Resolutions don’t work, in my opinion, because they’re so restrictive and people go all-in when making them.

Resolving to workout 5 times a week is going to be really really hard if you’re not doing anything right now. However, focusing on the word of the year health will help ease you into a workout routine. 

You could start with a 15-minute yoga video every other day or walk around the block. Eventually, you’ll work up to longer distances and more endurance, so your weekly habits can adjust too.

Not focusing on your word for a day, or even a week, is no reason to stop. Simply pick up where you left off and continue. Don’t beat yourself up for a slip.

My word: balance

I have been thinking about balance in my life a lately… balancing my daughter’s developmental needs and her health, balancing the very different needs of my two children, balancing my roles as wife, mom and entrepreneur.

Obviously the whole premise of Balanced FI is balancing actually living and pursuing financial goals. Both are important but neither should overshadow the other.

In 2025, I want to focus on creating balance, not just thinking about it. To do this, I plan to

• carve out alone time with both girls and my husband each week
• use the girls’ afternoon quiet time to do at least 15 minutes of yoga or meditation, then work
• spend more time reading books for fun

Get more ideas and inspiration at Inc.

What is your word of the year?

Since I’m committed to balancing all aspects of my life, it’s time to stop talking about my word for 2025 and focus on yours. What was your word of the year last year? And what word do you want to build this year around to help you come out on top? You’ve probably already shared it on your favorite social media platform, but I’d love for you to share it with us here and tell us what it means to you.