Word of the Year Ideas for Your Bullet Journal

Do you need some ideas for your word of the year? I’ve compiled this list of words you can use to start your year off with the right intentions.

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The New Year is almost here! Spread the cheer! Ok… I’m done rhyming. But really, can you believe it’s almost 2018? Your parents weren’t lying when they said the years fly by the older you get. I just recently got used to writing 2017 on my checks. And now I have to start writing 2018? Like, what the hell?

But, with a new year comes a new journal or at least a new page. And that means you get to set your intention for 2018. You can do this a word of the year or phrase of the year.

I’m apart of a few Facebook groups, including my own, Rock Your Journal (psst… you should go join. We’re pretty fun), and I’ve seen a lot of talk about starting 2018 with a word. It’s pretty common among the bullet journal community and definitely serves a good purpose.

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What is a Word of the Year?

Basically, you are choosing a word that sets your intention for the year. It’s likely a positive, motivational, or action word. You can choose any word that feels most suitable. Your word will depend on your current goals.

Often times, this word is placed at the very beginning of your journal and takes up an entire page to signify it’s importance. From there, the idea is that keep that word in the back of your mind when planning and setting goals.

But what should your word be?

Choosing a word is completely individual. What works for you isn’t going to work for someone else. But, I’ve put together a list of words to help you get started. Maybe you’ll use one of these words, or maybe this will lead you to find your own perfect word of the year.

Word of the Year Ideas for Your Bullet Journal

1. Thrive: I used this word for 2017 and it was definitely fitting. I don’t want to just survive; I want to thrive.
2. Today/Now: Great word if you want to slow down and take things day by day. Live for the moment and think about the time you have right now.
3. Happiness/Joy: Set your intention to be happy and make the most of situations. Perhaps you need a new take on daily doings, your job, your relationship, and you are striving to be happy in more areas of your life.
4. Flourish: You are driven to improve and grow as a person. Make the changes necessary for you to reach your full potential.
5. Bloom: Perhaps you are shy or aren’t sharing your talents with the world, but you want to. Set your intention to bloom and show the world, your friends, family, co-workers what you’ve been keeping inside.
6. Fierce: Hello, Bey! You’re a boss female and you are going to rock the year as an entrepreneur, career woman, fashionista, or other.
7. Courage: Do you need to stand up to someone or something? Or do you need to make a big and scary change in your life? Take a leap into the deep end and do something courageous.
8. Intent: Stop doing things by habit, and start doing them with intention. You have a goal in mind; now, work towards it.
9. Grateful: Start living with more appreciation and recognize the blessings you have.
10. Heal: This is a great word for those who have recently experienced a tragedy that has impacted their life significantly. The loss of a friend, family member, job, etc. You need to heal, and your goals and actions should lead you in that direction.
11. Simple: Are things complicated? Do you overcomplicate things? Start simplifying your life with little changes.
12. Bold: Make a bold change in your appearance. Set bold goals. BE BOLD.
13. Creative: Set your intention to focus in on your creative goals and abilities. You are going to find more creative outlets, practice up on your drawing, photography, lettering, etc.

I’m not done here… I’ve created another list of possible words to use below. They don’t have a definition or explanation, but you are free to come up with your own.

There are so many options for words to use. Don’t limit yourself. You can brainstorm a list of words in your bullet journal. Think about your goals for the upcoming year. What are you struggling with? What areas can you improve in your life? Also, what’s most important to you at this point in your life. You might find yourself with a list of 100 words or just a couple.


And to be clear, it’s not necessary to have a word of the year. And you don’t have to have just one word. You can come up with a phrase or a quote that motivates and inspires you.

What is going to be your word of the year? Why did you choose it? I’m excited to hear your words and your reason for picking them.So, please share with me in the comments below.