Choosing a Word of the Year for 2025…and a Winter Possibilities List
It’s that time of year when many of us are creating vision boards, or setting resolutions, intentions, or Words of the Year (WOTY). I’ve even seen New Year’s Rejections…things people want less of in their lives. Throughout my life, I’ve tried a mixture of all of these.
My WOTY history
I chose my first ever Word of the Year (WOTY) in 2018…FLOW. Then for a few years, I focused on seasonal bucket lists. In 2022, I decided to jump back into the WOTY game with CONNECTED. I started 2023 with GROUNDED and changed to EMPOWERED midway through the year. Maybe having two words in 2023 exhausted me, because in 2024 I took a WOTY break and instead focused on small monthly goals.
Typically once I’ve chosen my WOTY (I’ve written previously on that process), I go searching for affirmations and quotes to support that word. This time was a little different. I actually chose a mantra for the year, which led me to a WOTY.
So without further ado, here they are…
Mantra for 2025
I am open and receptive to all possibilities.
I have no idea what I want out of this year, except that I want to be in tune with the Universe and ready when those opportunities present themselves. I don’t want to think myself out of possibilities as I so often do. I want to face the world with a sense of joyful curiosity and experimentation.
Word of the Year for 2025
With that in mind, I thought of several possible words:
- Brave
- Vibrant
- Curious
- Zestful
- Joyful
None of them felt spot-on. I was considering forgoing the WOTY and simply having a mantra for the year. Then one night while I was in bed, the word INTREPID came to me. To be perfectly honest, while I had an idea of what the word meant, I didn’t know the exact definition. I had to wait until morning to look it up.
Merriam-Webster
In·trep·id: characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance
Oxford
In·trep·id: fearless, adventurous
Truth be told, the word “fearlessness” gave me pause, but who am I to question the intuition that brought the word INTREPID to me. Wasn’t overthinking the very thing I was looking to overcome? Could I not be open and receptive to the possibility that being INTREPID was exactly what 2025 has to teach me?
So INTREPID it is.
Winter Possibilities List
At around the same time that I was mulling over my mantra and WOTY, Leslie with Once Upon a Time/Happily Ever After invited me to participate with a group of quarterly bucket list bloggers. While I choose to call mine a Possibilities List, I decided this was a perfect way to begin exploring the possibilities to which I am so keen on being open and receptive.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far…in no particular order. I do expect the list to grow…considering these are simply possibilities, without any pressure to tick everything off the list.
- Complete the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge.
- Complete the CVG Movement Challenge.
- Go to Los Angeles and attend a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Sign up at least one new coaching client.
- Get a monthly massage.
- Plan an activity centered around each of my senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch).
- Complete the BlogAid SEO course.
- Donate blood.
- Complete the mindbodygreen Functional Nutrition course.
- Take a golf lesson with my husband.
- Explore my community by visiting someplace or attending an event that is new to me.
Your turn
- Do you have a focus for 2025? If so, how do you define it…a word, a vision board, a resolution, or some other method?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
- If you have a winter list…whatever you call it (and maybe it’s a summer list, depending on where you live)…please link up with us. I’m excited to see what everyone else has in store for the coming season.
Image by Nicky ❤️🌿🐞🌿❤️ from Pixabay
Hi Christie I love your word ‘Intrepid’. Instead of shying away you will be forging ahead and trying new and wonderful ways to live life. Thanks for joining us at our special WOTY link up and I hope to follow you quarterly bucket list link up as well. Have a beautiful week, Sue x
Thank you, Sue. I am looking forward to a year of exploration and new possibilities. Thank you for hosting the special WOTY link up. I am looking forward to discovering everyone’s intentions for this year.
That’s a great way to go Christie.
Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more in 2025.
Denyse x
Thank you Denyse. I am looking forward to this year as well, including discovering what all my blogging friends are up to.
Intrepid is a wonderful word, and to me also refers to going beyond your fears and attempting new things, which is exactly what you have been doing recently. I’m looking forward to following along with your new adventures in 2025
Yes, Jen, I think that’s why the word intrepid resonated with me. I have started down that path recently and want to continue with that momentum. I look forward to another year of friendship and discovery with you.
Intrepid was a new word to me! I can see how it is a perfect word of the year – very close to my own choice of COURAGE.
Your to-do list looks excellent too! You have a lot of good things going on
Yes, Susanne, I agree our words are similar in tone. I’ll be headed over to your blog soon to learn more about your word selection. Here’s to a year of growth for the both of us!
What a fabulous WOTY! Best of luck with your possibilities list!
Thank you Joanne! I’m looking forward to seeing where you are headed in 2025 as well.
Hello!! Pleased to “Meet” you! I linked up through Marsha….My post is #9 and is my yearly WOTY post…I will link up a Goals post by Thursday once I get it done!! 2024 was a terrible year for me as I lost my husband, a beloved cousin and my sister’s husband in less than 4 months, my best friend was diagnosed with aggressive uterine cancer and another relative was diagnosed with a neurological disease…BUT I am looking With HOPE to 2025 for it to be a much better year….I pray!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
It’s nice to meet you as well, Debbie. Welcome to So What? Now What? I will be stopping by your blog soon to learn about your WOTY. I love discovering what everyone is focused on for 2025. You’ve certainly been through a lot this past year. I love that you are holding on to hope. Your resilience is inspiring. Wishing you a kinder, gentler 2025!
Christie – really interesting WOTY! And you know I love possibilities lists. I’ve been reading various lists by folks, and have some new ideas for my own winter list now! From you, going to explore the activities by senses. Thanks for that idea.
Thank you, Pat. You did, in fact, inspire my switch to Possibilities Lists from Bucket Lists. It feels more freeing and fits nicely with my intention to be open and receptive to all possibilities. I’m looking forward to checking out others’ lists as well, and I’m sure they will inspire additions to my own. Enjoy the activities for your senses. I look forward to learning what you choose.
I love your process and like that mantra! I also like the idea of calling it a possibilities list! It’s encouraging to see what others wrote and I think this quarterly blog and review will help me refocus when I need to.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Hello Mireille and welcome to So What? Now What? I too am looking forward to reading everyone else’s lists. I suspect they will inspire additions to my own!
Hi Christie, I love the word Intrepid and your 2025 mantra goes perfectly with it. I always enjoy reading how people choose their WOTY and your story is a perfect example of serendipity. I’m looking forward to seeing how you embrace being intrepid throughout the year. Thanks for joining us for the linkup and sharing your word.
Hello Debbie and happy 2025! I also enjoy discovering everyone else’s words and intentions and why they chose what they did. For that reason, I thank you for hosting this special WOTY link up.
Hi Christie………..according to Chinese astrology, the Year of the Snake (which I am) is associated with transformation, renewal, and spiritual growth. Snakes are known for their ability to shed their skin, symbolizing the process of letting go of the old and embracing the new. This theme is expected to resonate throughout 2025, as individuals are encouraged to release their past baggage and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
The snake is also a symbol of wisdom, cunning and adaptability. People born in the Year of the Snake are known for their intelligence, creativity and resourcefulness. So as we navigate the complexities of 2025 my WOTY is going to be “resilient”.
This is so interesting, Patti. My intention and WOTY fit in well with the Year of the Snake theme. I’ll take all the support I can get! I love the word RESILIENT for you. You are indeed that, and your resiliency will no doubt serve you well in 2025.
Hi Christie – I’m behind with this one for some reason? Anyhoooo….Intrepid is a great Word for the year – very inspiring and motivating. When I saw the definition included “adventurous” I smiled because my husband often laughs when I quote the “I say ‘yes’ to adventure’ tee shirt I used to own – my idea of adventure is very moderate at best 😀
I’m looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table for 2025 and will be following along on all your adventures (I have my Word – but no bucket lists from me I’m afraid).
Hello Leanne and welcome to 2025! Yet another way we are alike…my idea of adventure is not at all thrill-seeking. Adventure for me is more about curiosity and discovery. I love your choice of words for 2025 and am also looking forward to seeing how that develops for you.
Hi, Christie! I’m glad to meet a new blogger! I’m not good with WOTYs. I’ve had exactly one and couldn’t tell you what it was. I’m also not into making goals, but I can make a mean list! I am hoping this will help me actually accomplish some things!
Have a fabulous week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hello Marsha and welcome to So What? Now What? I too love meeting new bloggers. I look forward to us getting to know each other better over the year. I say lists are like mini goals and are great tools for accomplishing things. Here’s to a fabulous week and a full year!
I think possibility could just be my favourite word ever and intrepid works so beautifully to capture it. I took my lead from you this year, Christie. Your monthly ticks really inspired me.
Now that you say that, Jo, I could probably have made POSSIBILITIES my word. That’s what I’m all about this year. I’m glad I could inspire a little something for you. You always inspire me!
Phooey!! I should have waited to write my bucket list and goals. I am finding so many great things from you guys that I want to add. I am going back to my post and penciling those thoughts in so I don’t forget them. Donating blood…thank you for that reminder. I have been doing that somewhat regularly but then when I hurt my foot, I stopped. Was signed up to donate platelets but canceled. Now I am getting text messages practically begging me to make another appointment. They need platelets so desperately. So, thank you for reminding me. I will pencil that in on my post and call for an appointment.
We are similar, I think, in that I can about talk myself out of anything. Much prefer being spontaneous and impulsive so I can’t think about ‘what if I break my foot?’ But I am a worrier and come by that naturally.
I remember when the Intrepid car came out. Can’t remember who manufactured it but I was pronouncing it in-tre-PID with the accent on the PID. Ha!! Didn’t know what it meant, so looked it up and liked the meaning and thought it was a good name for a car…especially something like a rugged Jeep or SUV. Great word. I think you are more adventurous than you give yourself credit for – love all the hikes you embark on. But I look forward to seeing how this word jazzes up your 2025 with exciting experiences.
Need to keep in mind golf lessons with PC for spring, maybe. Have wanted to do that for years. Jimmy Kimmel taping? Great fun!! Would like to know more about the SEO course. Hope you will share. Have always admired your progress with and commitment to Orangetheory. Hope you will share more about that and finding a/some new clients.
Here’s to a delightful, nurturing, intrepid 2025, my sweet friend.
Yes, Leslie, I’ve been adding things to my list too after reading what everyone else is doing! Funny, I owned an Intrepid car and loved it. I hadn’t even thought of that. It was a Dodge, I believe. The SEO course is done online by MaAnna at blogaid.net. Check it out for sure. I am so looking forward to this connection throughout the year. Thank you again for inviting me to participate in this link-up. Happy 2025 to you as well!
Love the word you choose and I’ve never really looked it up before but it’s perfect for exactly what you were describing as how you wanted to move through 2025! I am looking forward to seeing how it presents itself in the upcoming year. Also, what a great bucket list. I want to go see Jimmy Kimml Live! Also, I should give blood. Never have but I know how important it is.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Thank you Bo. I’ll be interested to see myself intrepid plays into my year and what possibilities come up. My nephew works on the Jimmy Kimmel show, so we’ve been wanting to go for a while. This is the year!
Christie,
Me again…I just linked up my new post on my Quarterly Goals…It is #16! Thanks again for hosting!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thank you Debbie. I’ll definitely check it out.
Hi Christie, I’ll be honest-intrepid does not mean what I thought it does. I always thought it meant unsure or anxious. Isn’t that funny? Now that I know the definition I think that’s a great woty! I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions for years, and I’ve never had a woty. I think I will pick one this year. I’m still not sure what my word will be, but I’ll give myself until the end of January to decide. 🙂
Interesting. Well, now you have a new word in your vocabulary. It’s funny that your perceived definition is almost the exact opposite of the dictionary definition. I’ll be curious to know what word you choose and how you decide to incorporate it into your year. I hope you have an enjoyable week! XOXO
I think this is my first time visiting here. I finally got my winter bucket list written and posted. I like your word. I word about my word for the year in this post if you’re curious (http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2025/01/more-than-words.html).
I had similar thoughts in the choosing and mentioned that in my post. Am I tempting fate by choosing a word that could mean a tough year ahead lol? I don’t have a word every year but this year mine is anchored. We’ll see where it takes me. Have a great day!
Hello Joyce and welcome to So what? Now what? It’s nice to “meet” you. I am intrigued by your word of the year, anchored. I will definitely check out your post on that, as well as your bucket list. Here’s to a happy, productive winter!
Thanks so much for stopping by!! Looking forward to seeing how everyone does with their lists in the first quarter…I hope you are having a great week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks Deb! I’m looking forward to reading about everyone’s experiences as well.