Last year, instead of coming up with New Year’s resolutions, I set myself a word for the year. Choosing a word can give you focus and direction – and it saves you from setting unrealistic or restrictive goals for the year.
Instead of telling yourself you want to lose weight, you could choose the word “health” or “well-being” – and your word can inform your decisions throughout the year. Regular goals might change as your life changes, but a word is relevant whatever happens in the coming year.
For me, my word goes alongside any overarching goals for the year. For example, if you want to get a new job in 2024 – your word could be “open”, encouraging you to stay open to new opportunities, without restricting you to just one goal.
I loved following this new approach to New Year’s resolutions for the first time last year. It helped me stay on track and remember what I wanted to achieve – and so I’m back in 2024 with a brand new word for my year!
My word for 2024: Intuition
For 2024, I’ve chosen the word “intuition”. This word is so broad – and it can apply to my personal life and my freelance business. It means trusting your instincts and using intuition to guide you.
I often find it hard to make decisions, especially as I don’t always have confidence in myself and my abilities. In 2024, I want to learn to trust my gut. My gut tends to tell me what is the right path for me – so I want to listen to myself and use intuition to guide my year.
In my personal life, this applies to social plans. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, I want to learn to say “yes” to the plans that work for me – and understand when it’s okay to say “no”.
In my freelance business, I can use my intuition to find the right freelance gigs for me – and set clear boundaries with my clients. I only want to choose the opportunities that work for me.
My focus for the New Year
In 2024, I want to focus on the things that bring me joy. I want to use my intuition to build the relationships that are important to me, such as my friends and family.
I also want to cultivate my connections with other freelancers, as this was a big part of my 2023 growth. It helped me feel passionate about my freelance career and understand that everyone experiences the ups and downs of freelance life.
I want to keep working on my passion project in my spare time – and I’ll also take time to focus on my fitness journey, which I started in January 2023. I never thought I’d come to love going to the gym!
Building on my word for 2023
In 2023, I chose the word “confident” as my word for the year – and I like to think I used this to inform decisions throughout the year. Although there were ups and downs in my personal and work life, I pushed myself to try new things with confidence.
A few highlights include:
- Going to my first in-person freelance meet-up in Sheffield
- Attending online networking events – which included pitching myself and my business
- Working for a big client
- Building up my gym confidence – and loving it!
- Making friends with other freelancers
In 2024, I want to find ways to bring intuition and confidence together to build on my 2023 growth and development.
A big shout-out to my Mum for helping me come up with my word for this year! I recommend bouncing a few ideas for your word with your friends and family to see what really matters to you – and how you want to focus your time in 2024.
Do you have a word for 2024? What do you want to achieve in 2024? Have you achieved your goals in 2023?
Tell me all your thoughts in the comments 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
Fantastic and what a great word! I haven’t decide on my word yet but I’ve got a few ideas!
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Thank you so much! I’d love to hear your ideas, I think it’s a great way to add focus to your year 🙂
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I need to look back at when I started using a word of the year. I’m writing my post soon, but this year’s word was discipline, which I already wrote how things didn’t go the way I planned. I love yours and I love your goals with the word. I pray all goes well on 2024!
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Thank you Heidy! Yes I think choosing a word can really help, but it’s okay if you don’t stick to it. Good luck in 2024 🙂
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Thank you for the idea! Thinking of my word of the year!!
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Aw that’s great Nadia! Let me know your ideas 🙂
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Confident is a good word for the year
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My word for 2024 will be multitasking. It’s not something that I chose, but life has left me with no other option. But instead of fretting about it, I embrace it.
The reason for that is, I see many youngsters nowadays doing studies and jobs together from a very young age. Or some also learning from online courses instead of waiting for admission into a university.
They are crazy creative and totally fuelled to excel. I think in the journey of achieving your goals, you can find inspiration from anywhere and everywhere.
Plus, I also hope that the world does not goes into world war 3.
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Thank you for reading and sharing! Yes, it’s incredible what some people can achieve when they put their minds to it.
My parents both studied for University while bringing me up and working – I think it’s so amazing to see how people multi-task.
Good luck with all your plans for 2024!
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Thanks, and same to you.
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I do something similar where I think of a motto or focus/theme for the year (which is also part of my end of year reflection on my blog). Mine is “release, reinforce, revitalise”, which is all about taking care of my overall well-being. I love your idea of having a word to focus on as it definitely doesn’t make anything too restrictive; it can encompass anything it needs to be. I hope 2024 is a great year for you!
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Ooh I like that idea! Finding ways to look after your well-being sounds fantastic. Yes exactly, you need to find focus and direction without restricting what you want to achieve. Thank you 🙂
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I love the word you have chosen for 2024! I have chosen mine and I’ll be revealing it on my blog soon! Intuition is such a good word for what you would like your year to represent because, as you say, it can represent things in your personal and freelance life x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Thank you Lucy! Ooh I’m excited to hear yours, I’ve seen lots of people using this idea this year – I think it’s just great 🙂 yes I think it’s broad enough to encompass lots of things x
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Intuition is a great word! I love this alternative idea to making a list of resolutions. I absolutely loved reading this, so inspiring! Thanks for sharing! I hope you have a wonderful new year! ✨️
https://melissakacar.com
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Thank you! I think it can help you direct your year without too much pressure 🙂
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I like how you came up with a word for the year. I have more than one word for this year, but I am focusing on peace.
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Thank you 🙂 focusing on peace sounds so important x
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Love this! “Intuition” is such a good word. I love this idea, but I often find it difficult to pin it down to just one word. This year I’m trying out “Nourish” as I think it works well for both body and mind 🙂 😀
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Thank you! I love that word, it’s a great way to prioritise your health in 2024 x
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