Here's to 2025!

Each January I look for ways to set intentions for the year. I wouldn't say I have resolutions, but I do like the idea of using the year for good.

Last year, I utilized Gretchen Rubin's 24 in 24 method and came up with this:

Looking back, it was too much and too big. I've come to the conclusion that my brain doesn't match whatever lifestyle people who create such challenges have. Not good or bad just different. It becomes more of burden to me if I don't complete something or if I start strongly and don't finish. (If this kind of stuff does interest you, please check out Gretchen Rubin's Design Your Year 2025.)

After reflecting on all of this, I decided to keep the idea of a word for the year. I've done it the past few years, and it is handy for me to have something to come back to when things start going whompy. I think this will help me stay present in the moment rather than exhaust myself trying to complete all the things by December 31, 2025.

Choosing a word is always a challenge for me. I mean, this is one word that is meant to represent how I want to see the year. I love words, and people who know me can confidently say I lean more Dickens than Hemingway. I tried something new this year - AI assistance. If you also struggle finding your word, I offer my own method for this year. 

Using AI to Spark an Idea

Whenever I turn to LLMs, I use both Gemini and ChatGPT because they will produce different results. Sometimes I combine the results to review and modify, and sometimes one LLM generates better ideas than the other. ChatGPT won out for this one. 

The prompt I used: Generate a list of words of the year possibilities for 2025 based on the work of Kendra Adachi, Brene Brown, Adam Grant, Simon Sinek, and Gretchen Rubin.

Initial Results:

Inspired by Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius):

• Simplify
• Essence
• Flow
• Intentional
• Rhythm

Inspired by Brené Brown (Vulnerability and Courage):

• Brave
• Authentic
• Connection
• Wholehearted
• Resilient

Inspired by Adam Grant (Workplace Psychology and Creativity):

• Reimagine
• Curious
• Generous
• Adapt
• Spark

Inspired by Simon Sinek (Leadership and Purpose):

• Purpose
• Inspire
• Vision
• Belonging
• Why

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin (Happiness and Habits):

• Joy
• Light
• Steady
• Balance
• Thrive

Not bad, but I felt these were still more generic than what I was looking for. I added to the prompt: Regenerate these focusing on a perimenopausal woman who works in public education.

Second set of results:

Inspired by Kendra Adachi (Practicality and Intentionality):

• Pace – Honoring your natural rhythm in both work and life.
• Ease – Embracing simplicity and letting go of unnecessary burdens.
• Align – Focusing on what truly matters in your personal and professional life.
• Restore – Recharging your energy and prioritizing recovery.
• Flexible – Adapting to changes with grace and self-compassion.

Inspired by Brené Brown (Courage and Vulnerability):

• Steady – Finding strength and calm amidst the storms of life.
• Seen – Acknowledging your worth and making your needs visible.
• Courage – Stepping into hard conversations and decisions with confidence.
• Tender – Balancing vulnerability with self-protection.
• Open – Remaining receptive to new ideas, people, and solutions.

Inspired by Adam Grant (Innovation and Growth):

• Curiosity – Staying inquisitive and open to learning new ways of doing things.
• Reframe – Changing perspectives on challenges and opportunities.
• Pause – Taking time to reflect before acting.
• Contribute – Focusing on meaningful impact in your work.
• Spark – Igniting passion and creativity in yourself and others.

Inspired by Simon Sinek (Purpose and Leadership):

• Lead – Guiding with empathy and integrity.
• Purpose – Connecting daily actions to your larger mission.
• Support – Offering and seeking help within your community.
• Value – Recognizing your worth and contributions.
• Forward – Moving ahead with optimism and determination.

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin (Happiness and Habits):

• Nurture – Caring for yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
• Balance – Harmonizing work, health, and relationships.
• Brighten – Bringing light to your spaces and interactions.
• Habit – Building routines that sustain and uplift.
• Present – Staying mindful and grounded in the moment.

I loved that each word was accompanied by an explanation. However, I still struggled to narrow it down because I liked a lot of these words. So back to the prompt one more time: Please find five words that would have something in common with all of these suggestions.

Final set of responses:

• Grounded – Reflects stability, balance, and being present in the moment.
• Empower – Combines courage, leadership, and self-worth, encouraging personal and professional growth.
• Flow – Represents ease, adaptability, and living in harmony with life’s rhythms.
• Renew – Captures restoration, nurturing, and the continual process of growth and healing.
• Impact – Embodies purpose, contribution, and creating meaningful change.

BINGO! Now we're talking! After looking at the final set of five, I was able to choose and create an image to reference throughout the year.

My word of the year:

So here's to 2025! May I remain GROUNDED despite challenges never forgetting to be in the moment rather than needlessly worry about the future.