Note: you can check out my updated list of Word of the Year Ideas for 2024!
As some of you know, I’m always really, really excited about the new year. I love making plans and starting fresh. A lot of people choose one word resolutions or one word goals for each new year, and I am one of them!
The idea is to pick a word that sums up your intentions and hopes. If you always choose a word for the year, or if you’re interested in trying it out for the first time, this list is for you! I’ve brainstormed 100 of them. I didn’t put them in alphabetical order because, uh, I just didn’t feel like it.
I used all nouns, but a lot of them could be made into verbs if that’s more your style. If you want to use them as a random word of the year generator, pick a number between 1 and 100 and then see what you get! I’m going to talk about my own Word of the Year in my newsletter.
New Year’s Words
1. self-care
2. self-acceptance
3. balance
4. grace
5. abundance
6. creativity
7. consistency
8. focus
9. growth
10. investment
11. simplicity
12. kindness
13. peace
14. comfort
15. renewal
16. recovery
17. restoration
18. transition
19. transformation
20. manifestation
21. completion
22. freedom
23. honesty
24. faith
25. light
26. hope
27. optimism
28. courage
29. confidence
30. charisma
31. career
32. ambition
33. perseverance
34. discipline
35. strength
36. power
37. boss
38. health
39. healing
40. joy
41, celebration
42. bliss
43. love
44. home
45. adventure
46. nature
47. beauty
48. family
49. friendship
50. romance
51. rebellion
52. sass
53. enthusiasm
54. inspiration
55. vitality
56. gratitude
57. fun
58. play
59. laughter
60. exploration
61. education
62. wisdom
63. mindfulness
64. presence
65. prayer
66. mastery
67. connection
68. community
69. commitment
70. alignment
71. purpose
72. energy
73. brilliance
74. passion
75. possibility
76. organization
77. harmony
78. gentleness
79. warmth
80. sunshine
81. sparkle
82. spirituality
83. improvement
84. achievement
85. expansion
86. enjoyment
87. ease
88. elegance
89. excellence
90. imagination
91. flow
92. travel
93. investment
94. fulfillment
95. awareness
96. intuition
97. ascent
98. success
99. gold
100. victory
Have you chosen a word of the year, or have you tried it before? We’d love to hear about it!
And if you want more inspiration for the New Year, check outThe Book of Dreams Come True,my journal of guided writing exercises for self-discovery and manifestation. I’ve heard from several people, including a teenager (well, her mom told me) and an eighty-five-year-old recent widow, that it gave them new inspiration, and I’m so glad!
Thanks so much for reading, and I’m wishing you all the best for the year to come!
Related Posts
22 Things I Loved about 2022…What Did You Love?
How To Be More Positive
Manifestation Journal Ideas
Positive Thinking: 12 Affirmations for Self-Esteem
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Cheryl Alsippi says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:12 am
Great list Bryn. The word that grabbed me was Nature. I definitely need to get closer to nature. I do really enjoy that but seldom get out and about in a natural setting. I think my spirit needs that. Thanks. Have a Wonderful New Year!
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Hi Cheryl! Oh, “Nature” is such a good one. It’s so good for our mental health and happiness to be closer to nature, and there are so many little ways to do it 🙂 Have a wonderful new year yourself!
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Pamela says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:35 am
My word for 2023 is CONQUER. As in, my fears, my crippling self-doubt, this bloody WIP, my bad habits, etc.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 8:36 pm
Yes! I love it!
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Leslie Bird Nuccio says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:44 am
I think my word is Reach. I’m reaching farther to grow my writing skill and business in 2023.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 8:37 pm
Oh, that’s very cool! It’s so positive and versatile. Love it!
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Erin McKnight says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:51 am
I love this list. My word for the year is “imperfection.” There are a ton of changes coming down the pipe for me in 2023. I’m excited for them, but it will cause some chaos. Okay, a LOT of chaos. I want to embrace it and let the fact that some things may fall off the radar be okay.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Erin, I love this! It’s a really good mantra for anyone facing a lot of chaos…or anyone who’s often too hard on themself 😉 I hope you have a great 2023!
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MJ Mumford says:
December 27, 2022 at 10:58 am
Well, that was fun. I picked a random number and came up with Mastery. How fitting. I don’t advertise my time-travel thrillers at all but have been vowing to learn FB ads forever. Maybe this will be the year! Thanks for your consistently helpful content, Bryn.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Ah, that’s awesome! I am SURE you can figure this out with no problem. Thanks for the kind words, MJ!
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Debbie Damron says:
December 27, 2022 at 1:03 pm
I have four, all of which are elaborated on: strengthening my faith, renewed enthusiasm that I can share with others, gumption, and the ability to find joy in absolutely everything.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Debbie, I love these! All of them! I think a lot about that last one, too. I hope you have an amazing 2023.
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Carol Schoenig says:
December 27, 2022 at 1:19 pm
I find it hard to pick just one. I started with Focus. I really need to focus on learning the craft and putting it into practice. Organize is the other. Organize my thoughts, my desk and my home. Lastly, Commit. Commit to my writing plan, commit to my schedules. FOC.
I created a mantra: Commitment to my writing begins with organization and focus.
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Hi Carol! I love your mantra! I am working on that kind of commitment, too. Hopefully we both have a lot of success! Happy almost New Year!
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Darlene says:
December 27, 2022 at 1:24 pm
A great list, thanks. I usually pick three words every year. I’ll be referring to this list. Happy New Year!!
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Bryn Donovan says:
December 27, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Awesome, Darlene! I hope you have a wonderful 2023!
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dholcomb1 says:
December 27, 2022 at 10:28 pm
Confidence and Manifestation are calling to me.
denise
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annegreening7365 says:
December 27, 2022 at 10:53 pm
I always make the same resolution, and I always keep it. I resolve not to make a resolution this year.
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:53 pm
Hahaha! Anne, you’re probably keeping your resolution already. Happy New Year!
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Kimberly says:
December 28, 2022 at 12:08 am
This year my word is journey. It has a few meanings to me. I dreamed about the word last night.
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:53 pm
“Journey” is such a great one! How cool that you dreamed about it, Kimberly!
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Jessie E. Turner says:
December 28, 2022 at 10:22 am
I love your positivity, Bryn. In 2021 you suggested making a vision board for the year. I followed your advice and still have my little poster up on my wall. It still speaks to me. It still sustains me. It’s never old. My word for the year still resonates with me. It’s CONNECTION.
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Jessie! I LOVE it that you have your vision board. That is wonderful! “Connection” is such a good intention word, too. 🙂 Happy New Year!
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PJ Braley says:
December 28, 2022 at 10:15 pm
Hi Bryn, Happy New Year! Much like you, I love the new year and feel that everything is fresh and new and that the world is filled with endless possibilities.
I love your list! If I were to choose one of your words, it would be “focus.” I have had several life changes over the last two years, which have left me a bit scattered, and my writing has suffered. I’d like to see it move from the periphery of my attention to the center of my life. There is still much to do to make that happen. To help me accomplish that renewed focus, I am choosing the word “tenaciousness.”
“Never give up, never surrender” may truly be my motto for 2023.
I am sending my best wishes to you for every success in the New Year,
PJ-
Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:56 pm
PJ, I thought about “focus!” And you and I are definitely on the same wavelength here. I went with “consistency,” which is very similar. I feel the same way about having been scattered in the past few years, and I want to be consistent about a few things…my writing especially! We can do this! Happy New Year, friend!
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Brian G. Spare says:
December 29, 2022 at 11:02 am
My word is perseverance because I know I will need it to face the challenges of the year ahead. It’s easier said than done but we all need consistency (a close number 2 on my list) to receive our goals. Happy New Year.
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:57 pm
“Perseverance” is such a good one! My word for the year is “consistency,” in fact, and the two words are very related! We can do this, Brian. 🙂 I hope you have a great 2023!
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Chris says:
December 29, 2022 at 1:41 pm
I’m going to choose three words for 2023: Renewal, Consistency, Education
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Chris, I think these all sound so good! But of course, I’m sharing that second one with you. 🙂 Happy New Year! I appreciate you!
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Di says:
December 30, 2022 at 12:00 am
Journey is my word for 2023, as in any lengthy process or progress – life is a journey, with many interesting detours. This year will be huge for me!
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Bryn Donovan says:
January 1, 2023 at 6:58 pm
“Journey” is a wonderful one, Di. And I hope 2023 is a wonderful journey for you!
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Lynnette Schuepbach says:
January 3, 2023 at 10:49 pm
Each of us in my book club were choosing one word for 2023 at the same time your post came up. I took your suggestion of choosing a number to narrow my choices. I used numbers that were or added up to my birth number and my birthday. All of them fit me to a tee except “beauty”. I knew this was the word for me because of the feeling of angst that it stirred in me. The next day, I came across a movie called “Local Color”. In it, the artist said, “beauty is sharing. Without beauty, there is no art. When you see beauty everywhere and in everything, your soul is set free. No one can take it away.” I love how the universe puts things together for us when we pay attention. Thank you. Does your new business have editing manuscripts as a service?
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Martha says:
January 13, 2023 at 11:49 pm
My word for this year is discipline. having self-discipline helps us to overcome. laziness and procrastination and prevent us from taking things for granted.
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Anai says:
January 18, 2023 at 11:09 pm
My word Is Faith !!!! Faith is what I have that this year is going to be better .Faith is the last thing I would lose there’s going to be better changes a better feature.
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Jannett Sanchez says:
August 18, 2023 at 11:30 am
My word of the year is cherish,life could be so unexpected and when you think you have it all it gives you the most unwanted turn.so don’t take anything for granted.
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