Beyond the Resolution: Why I’m Trading Goals for a Single Word

“New Year, New Me.”

Cue the collective eye roll. It’s a concept as old as time, and it’s likely dominating your social media feed right now. Most of us dread the annual pressure to pretend that because the calendar flipped to 2026, we should suddenly possess the magic ability to break decade-old habits or an overnight desire to train for a marathon.

While we all want to strive for our “best selves,” the traditional way we go about it can feel incredibly overwhelming. This year, I’m trying something different. I’m ditching the long list of demands and simply picking a word for the year.

Even saying the phrase “word of intention” feels a little cheesy to me, but I’m leaning into it anyway. I’m choosing a word to guide my 2026 and helping my children choose their own, along with a “north star” word for our family unit.

The Problem with Resolutions

If you’ve already felt your motivation dipping, you aren’t alone. The data shows that the “New Year” spark usually burns out fast:

• 9%: The tiny fraction of Americans who actually complete their resolutions.
• 23%: The number of people who quit by the end of the first week.
• 43%: The percentage who have given up by the end of January.

I’d wager that the goals we kick to the curb are often too complex or aimed a little too high. In contrast, a word of intention is simple, flexible, and — most importantly — kind.

Making it a Family Affair

The beauty of a single word is that it can be applied to almost any situation. Whether it’s “Grace,” “Focus,” or “Adventure,” it serves as a gentle reminder rather than a pass/fail test. I recently found a fantastic resource with printable lists and worksheets that the whole family can use. I can’t wait to see which words my children choose and how they apply them to their own little lives.

Why This Matters

For children who have experienced “hard things,” this practice carries even deeper weight. These children often need extra guidance to improve their self-image and truly internalize that they are not their past. By choosing a word of intention, we empower them to realize they have the agency to shape their own future. Furthermore, the simple act of establishing a family tradition like this is a powerful tool for building attachment; it creates a predictable, shared ritual that says, “We are growing together.”

I hope you’ll join me in this experiment. Here’s to ending 2026 with a sense of accomplishment—be it big or small.

Get Started:

 If you want to try this with your family, check out this blog and these printables to get the ideas flowing.