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Word of the Year
Every January, many of us feel the pressure to make New Year’s resolutions. We promise ourselves we will be more disciplined, more productive, more organized, or finally fix the habits we think are holding us back. And while resolutions are often well-intentioned, they tend to fade quickly once real life resumes.
Over time, I have found a different practice to be far more meaningful and sustainable: choosing a Word of the Year.
Why Choose a Word of the Year Instead of a Resolution
The idea behind the Word of the Year comes from the My One Word movement, which invites people to choose one meaningful word to guide their year rather than setting multiple resolutions. The heart of this practice is simple but powerful. Instead of trying to change everything at once, you choose one word that reflects who you want to be and how you want to live.
A Word of the Year becomes a lens through which you view your decisions, priorities, relationships, and challenges. It does not demand perfection. It invites reflection, intention, and alignment.
For example:
- A word like Gratitude can help you notice goodness even in hard seasons.
- A word like Courage can guide you toward brave conversations or new steps.
- A word like Presence can gently remind you to slow down and engage more fully with the people in front of you.
Unlike resolutions, a word does not expire after a missed week or a busy month. It stays with you, quietly guiding you back to what matters most, again and again.
Choosing a Word of the Year also creates space to reflect on the year behind you. What shaped you? What stretched you? What are you grateful for? And what kind of person do you want to be as you move forward?
If you would like help choosing your own word, this reflection tool is a wonderful place to start:
Pick Your Word for the Year:
https://myoneword.org/pick-your-word/
My Word for 2025: Congruent
For 2025, my word is Congruent.
What Does Congruent Mean?
At its core, congruent means aligned, consistent, and in harmony.
In counselling language, congruence describes the alignment between:
- what we believe
- how we feel
- what we say
- and how we act
When we are congruent, our inner world and our outer life tell the same story.
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, educator, coach, and mom of four, this word quietly guided many of my decisions over the past year, both big and small. Looking back, I can see how congruence shaped my yeses, my no’s, my perseverance, and my gratitude.
How Congruent Shaped My Decisions
Congruence invited me into honest reflection all year long.
- Does this opportunity align with my values?
- Is this pace sustainable for my body and my family?
- Am I leading from integrity or from pressure?
- Am I living the message I offer my clients, athletes, and students?
Sometimes congruence meant stepping forward boldly.
Sometimes it meant slowing down.
Often, it meant choosing the harder but truer path.
This word helped guide decisions throughout the year for me.
As I reflect on 2025, I am deeply grateful for the highs and the lows, the praises and the prayers.
Top 10 Moments I Am Grateful for in 2025
- NHL Open Ice Mental Health Charity Panel
Hosting the Open Ice Mental Health Charity panel with NHL players was a powerful reminder that vulnerability and leadership belong together. Hearing professional athletes speak openly about mental health for the sake of kids, families, and communities was deeply moving. - Speaking at the Global Congress of Sport at Baylor University
Speaking at the Global Congress of Sport at Baylor University was an honour, and bringing my entire family made it unforgettable. It was our first time ever in Texas, living out calling and connection together. - Best of Kelowna Awards
Being recognized again in the Best of Kelowna awards filled me with pride, not for myself, but for our Alive Counselling team. Their care, integrity, and excellence are what make this work meaningful. - Ed’s Retirement Party
Hosting Ed’s retirement celebration was one of the most meaningful honours of the year. His influence and his ability to speak life into others have shaped me deeply, and it was a privilege to gather people and celebrate his legacy. - Persevering Through U.S. LPC Licensure
Sitting two U.S. board exams, the NCE and the 4.5 hour NCMHCE in Vancouver, along with completing the Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam, tested my endurance. I am proud of myself for persevering through exhaustion and doubt. - Graduate Coursework at Liberty University
Completing graduate courses in Career Counseling, Substance Use Counseling, and Advanced Interventions strengthened me as an RCC, ACS, and educator. These courses bolstered my clinical depth and my work with graduate students. - Submitting My U.S. Application
After years of work, my U.S. LPC application was officially submitted on December 19. I pray this year it is granted, and I trust the timing ahead. - Coaching Our Three Kids in Hockey
Coaching our kids reminded me that presence matters more than perfection. Early mornings, cold rinks, and big emotions were all worth it for the memories and growth we shared. - Watching My Husband Step Into His Calling
Seeing my husband step more fully into his role as a head coach, and witnessing the positive impact he has on kids and families, has been one of the greatest joys of my year. - Learning to Ski and Our Homeschooling Adventure
As a Midwest girl, learning to ski and spending time on a mountain felt symbolic. Stretching, trusting, and embracing new terrain. Homeschooling brought intentional time together, deeper rhythms, and memories I will always treasure.
Gratitude for the Whole Story
This year held celebration and struggle, answered prayers and waiting, growth and grief. Through it all, congruence kept whispering a simple truth: stay aligned, stay honest, stay rooted.
An Invitation for You
As you step into a new year, I invite you to consider choosing a Word of the Year for yourself. Let it guide your decisions, your relationships, and your inner life. Let it be something you return to when life feels noisy or unclear.
If you would like support choosing your word, you can explore this reflection tool here:
https://myoneword.org/pick-your-word/
As a therapist, wife, and mom of 4, I love getting to support kids and families. In my own family, we have incorporated this practice as well, so I wanted to share with you to encourage you and the kids in your life!
A Word of the Year for Kids and Families:
A Simple and Meaningful New Year Practice for Kids: Choosing a Word of the Year
When a new year begins, kids often hear adults talking about goals, resolutions, and big plans for change. While those ideas can be helpful, they can also feel overwhelming for children.
As a therapist and a mom of four, I love offering kids a simpler and more supportive way to think about growth. One of my favorite family practices is helping kids choose a Word of the Year.
Instead of a long list of goals, kids choose one meaningful word that helps guide how they think, act, and grow throughout the year. This idea is inspired by kid-friendly goal setting approaches shared by Minno Kids and the My One Word movement.
A Word of the Year gives kids focus without pressure. It encourages growth without perfection and reflection without shame.
What Is a Word of the Year for Kids?
A Word of the Year is one special word that helps guide a child’s choices and mindset for the entire year.
It might be a word like:
- Kind
- Brave
- Calm
- Try
- Patient
- Helpful
- Joy
Kids can return to their word when things feel exciting, frustrating, confusing, or hard. It helps them pause and ask, “How can my word help me right now?”
Unlike resolutions, a word does not expire or fail. It grows with them.
Why This Works So Well for Kids
Kids thrive with simple and concrete ideas. A Word of the Year:
- Gives kids language for emotions and values
- Builds self-awareness and confidence
- Supports emotional regulation and decision making
- Encourages reflection instead of self-criticism
- Creates meaningful conversations at home
It also gives parents and caregivers a shared language. During challenges, you can gently ask, “How does your word help here?” instead of focusing only on rules or consequences.
Minno Kids highlights this approach as a way to help kids grow intentionally while keeping things encouraging, age-appropriate, and fun.
Learn more here:
https://gominno.com/blog/one-word-for-kids-new-year-new-growth-goal/
How to Help Your Child Choose a Word
Start with a relaxed conversation. You might ask:
- What do you want to get better at this year?
- What kind of person do you want to be?
- What helps you feel proud of yourself?
- What do you want more of in your life?
You can offer a word list and let your child circle or point to words that stand out. Often, kids naturally choose words that reflect what they most need in the season they are in.
Word of the Year Bank for Kids
Here is a kid-friendly word bank to help get started. Keep it simple and let your child lead.
Feelings and Inner Strength
- Calm
- Brave
- Confident
- Peaceful
- Patient
- Joy
- Proud
Character and Values
- Kind
- Honest
- Respectful
- Helpful
- Thankful
- Gentle
- Responsible
Friendship and Relationships
- Friendly
- Sharing
- Listening
- Encouraging
- Caring
- Teamwork
Growth and Learning
- Try
- Grow
- Learn
- Practice
- Focus
- Curious
- Creative
There is no right or wrong word. The best word is the one that feels meaningful to your child.
Make the Word Visible and Fun
Once your child chooses a word:
- Write it on a poster or printable
- Decorate it with drawings or colors
- Put it on the fridge, bedroom wall, or backpack
- Revisit it during transitions or hard moments
Some families like to check in monthly and talk about how the word is showing up and what their child is learning.
Growth Over Perfection
The goal of a Word of the Year is not perfect behavior. It is growth, awareness, and learning.
Kids will forget their word sometimes. That is okay. Each moment becomes an opportunity to notice, reflect, and try again.
As a therapist, I see how powerful this practice is for building emotional skills. As a mom, I see how it creates connection and meaningful family conversations.
Want to Choose a Word as a Family?
Some families choose words together, while others let each person choose their own. If you would like a guided reflection tool for older kids, teens, or adults, you can explore this resource:
Printable: My Word of the Year (Kids)
You can print the worksheet below or turn it into a PDF or Canva page.
My Word of the Year
Name: ___________________________
Year: ___________________________
1. Looking Back
Think about last year.
Circle or talk about what fits:
- Things I enjoyed
- Things that were tricky
- Things I learned
- Ways I grew
- Things I want to get better at
One thing I am proud of:
2. Choosing My Word
A Word of the Year is one special word that helps guide how you act, think, and grow.
My Word of the Year is:
___________________________
Why did I choose this word?
3. What My Word Looks Like in My Life
When I live out my word, it might look like this:
- At home:
- At school or activities:
- With friends or teammates:
4. My Reminder for the Year
This could be a saying, a sentence, or a thought that helps me remember my word.
My reminder:
What does it help me remember?
5. My Intention for the Year
This year, I want to practice my word by trying to:
6. Draw or Decorate Your Word
Draw pictures, symbols, or colors that remind you of your word:
(Blank space or index card to tape to your mirror where you can see it everyday!)
Notes for Grown-Ups
- There is no perfect word
- Words can change as kids grow
- The goal is learning and awareness
- Revisit the word during challenges and celebrations
Helpful Resources
If you would like to explore the Word of the Year practice further, here are a few trusted and kid-friendly resources to support your family:
My One Word
The My One Word movement offers guidance for choosing one meaningful word to guide your year. It is a helpful reflection tool for teens, parents, and adults who want a values-based alternative to New Year’s resolutions.
Choose your word here:
https://myoneword.org/pick-your-word/
Minno Kids: One Word for Kids
Minno Kids shares an age-appropriate and encouraging approach to helping kids choose a Word of the Year, with ideas and examples that support growth without pressure.
Read more here:
https://gominno.com/blog/one-word-for-kids-new-year-new-growth-goal/
Closing Reflection
As we step into a new year, my prayer is this:
May we live lives that are integrated, aligned, and whole.
May our inner values and outer actions tell the same story.
May we have the courage to live congruently with ourselves, with others, and with God.
Here’s to 2025.
With gratitude, hope, and congruence in what you believe and how you live,
Barbara Egan
Founder, Owner, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Alive Counselling
