For about five years, I’ve chosen a single word of the year to set the tone and guide my actions. While each word has had varying degrees of impact, 2024 was particularly transformative with my choice of the word: Trust. I began the process of choosing my 2025 Word of the Year by reflecting on last year.
The Transformative Power of Trust in 2024
Choosing “trust” as my guiding word for 2024 evolved into embracing Radical Self Trust early in the year, right as I faced significant decisions. This powerful mantra illuminated both my personal and professional paths.
Radical Self Trust drove me to significant achievements, notably in how I approached the production of my podcast, “Real Human Design Stories.” Despite doubts and the internal voice that suggested, “Who do you think you are spending money on this? You can just do it yourself,” I chose to invest in professional production. This decision not only helped produce a podcast that resonates deeply with my audience but also allowed me to conserve my energy for other creative endeavors that truly align with my zone of genius.
Radical Self Trust also guided me when an intuitive spark led to an invitation to speak at the Human Design Conference. The presentation I created, titled “Navigating Uncertainty through Radical Self-Trust,” was developed with a trust in the natural evolution of my ideas, rather than from the pressure to ‘get it done.’ This method resulted in a presentation that not only connected deeply with the audience but also ended with everyone dancing to a disco song I created, turning the event into a fun and memorable experience. This was a pivotal moment that led to another key phrase now integral to my branding—“Shine your light.”
As the end of the year approached, I started noting down words that might inspire me for 2025, but I felt like the impact of trust was going to be a hard act to follow. Then I leaned into the energy of radical self-trust and just started writing down words as they came to me and trusting that I would find the perfect word. I had a list of about 15 words when I decided to ask Chat Gpt for some assistance. What transpired was super helpful, so I wanted to share my process.
Discovering My 2025 Word of the Year- My Step-by-Step Guide using ChatGPT
Each year, I select a word to guide and inspire me. For my 2025 word of the year, I involved ChatGPT in a unique, reflective process to help determine my focus. Here’s how you can replicate this process to find your guiding word:
- Set the Scene and Reflect: I started by finding a quiet space to think about the impact of my previous year’s word, “trust,” and what I wanted to carry forward.
Prompt: Find a peaceful spot and reflect on your past year. Did you have a word for the year? What have you learned? What do you need more of in your life? Ask ChatGPT for more prompts if needed..
- Generate and Combine Ideas: I asked ChatGPT for a list of potential words, then added ones I had been pondering over the past few weeks. We created a comprehensive list.
Prompt: “I am trying to choose a Word of the Year to inspire and create a focus for 2025. Provide a list of words related to themes of personal growth, resilience, and creativity?”
- Remove and Refine: From this list, I removed any words that didn’t resonate, keeping those that sparked interest or curiosity.
Prompt: Review your list and keep only the words that feel significant. Share these words with ChatGPT with the next prompt.
- Evaluate with Blurbs: I then asked ChatGPT to provide a short blurb for each word, explaining how they could serve me in the coming year.
Prompt: “Please give me a short explanation of how each of these words might provide a focus for my year.”
- Group by Themes: We grouped these words into themes like personal growth and exploration, emotional and spiritual alignment, etc. This helped me see which areas felt most significant.
Prompt: “Let’s group these words into overall themes based on their meanings and how they relate to each other”
- Narrow Down and Expand on Top Choices: From each theme, I identified words that resonated deeply and asked ChatGPT to expand on those words to understand their potential impact better. I felt a stronger pull towards two of them and asked for more expansion on these two words.
Prompt: Give Chat Gpt the words you resonate most with and ask “Can you expand on these words and the impact they might have on my year?”
- Feel Into Your Choices: After considering the expanded descriptions, I paid close attention to how my body felt as I read through them. It became evident that one word encompassed what I needed most.
Prompt: Review the expanded descriptions and pay attention to your physical and emotional responses. Narrow it down to one word, but don’t rush your decision. It is better to have the perfect word by mid-January than to rush and pick a word that isn’t quite right on January 1.
This interactive and contemplative approach not only helped me find my word, but also ensured it deeply aligns with my emotional authority, personal challenges, and aspirations. It’s a process of discovery that I hope clarifies your intentions and sets the stage for a transformative year.
Why ‘Simplify’ is My 2025 Word of the Year.
After reflecting on the impact of many words, I felt a strong pull towards two themes: simplify and connect. Yet, it became evident that one word encompassed what I needed most. I felt the truth of it in my body.
And so, my 2025 word of the year is… Simplify. As I embrace the power of clarity and intention, making space for what truly matters, I invite you to join me in this journey of simplification. With my new signature style challenge, the goal is straightforward—make it simple to feel great about showing up as yourself. This approach will guide us in decluttering not just our wardrobes but also our choices, asking ourselves, “Does this simplify my life?” in many personal decisions. This guiding question can lead us to deeper connections and more meaningful opportunities.
What will be your 2025 Word of the Year? Dive into this process, and may your chosen word simplify your path, illuminating each step toward a radiant and purposeful 2025.
Here’s to a year where we simplify, focus, and truly shine, with a style that speaks to who we are!
