Why Everyone’s Choosing a ‘Word of the Year’ for 2026 – and How to Find Yours
Instead of long lists of New Year’s resolutions, more people are turning to a single guiding word to set their intentions for the year ahead.
The practice, which goes viral on TikTok each December, encourages clarity and purpose – helping individuals focus on becoming the version of themselves they want to embody in 2026. Words such as Devotion, Ease, Courage and Expansion act as a North Star for decisions, habits and mindset throughout the year.
We worked with jewellery brand PRYA as they partnered with mindset coach Victoria Jackson to invite people to simplify their New Year rituals by choosing one guiding word. The movement prioritises clarity over complexity, shifting the focus from chasing achievements to living in alignment with the life you want to create.
Research highlights the shortcomings of traditional resolutions: while over a quarter of Britons (27%) planned to make New Year’s resolutions for 2025 (YouGov), Psychology Today reports that 80% are abandoned by February.
In contrast, setting a single guiding word offers a tangible, emotionally rooted focus that can be integrated into daily life – helping people stay aligned with their intentions long after January.
Certified Coach, Manifestation Guide, and Founder of The Collective Membership, Victoria Jackson, explains why intention-setting beats traditional resolutions: “The start of a new year carries such a beautiful energetic quality, it’s a clean slate, full of possibility, and the ideal time to reset. But rather than setting resolutions that fade by February, I prefer to set intentions, because intentions are rooted in identity. They anchor you into the feeling of the life you’re creating, rather than the pressure of perfectly achieving a goal.
“For example, your intention for 2026 could be around connection, moving off your phone and into real life, making monthly plans with friends, hosting more, or attending events. Rather than one specific goal, you’re using a word as your North Star to guide you through the year.”
Victoria advises asking yourself: Who am I becoming? How do I want to feel? What version of me makes decisions this year? From there, choose aligned habits, actions, and boundaries.
“Choosing one guiding word for the year creates a focus that resolutions simply can’t. Instead of juggling a list of goals, you choose an energetic direction, something you can return to when life feels noisy or overwhelming. Your word becomes a compass for the week, month, or year ahead.”
Six Tips to Manifest Your Word in 2026
Victoria shares six practical ways to bring your intentions to life:
Act like the opportunity is already on its way: Prepare your life for what you want: clear space, organise finances, and restructure your schedule. Creating room is a declaration of readiness.
Get radically clear on your vision: Write down what you’re calling in and why it matters. The more specific you are with the feeling and lifestyle behind the goal, the more guidance you give your subconscious mind.
Embody the version of you who already has it: Visualise your ‘Future You’ making decisions today. What habits do they have? How do they speak to themselves? Embodiment bridges the gap between where you are and where you’re going.
Take aligned micro-actions daily: Manifestation isn’t passive. One small step each day, sending that email, posting that content, applying for an opportunity, builds momentum, confidence, and evidence that strengthens belief.
Detach from the timeline, not the vision: Stay committed to the what, but release the when and how. Trust is magnetic; clinging to timing keeps you in lack.
Prioritise how you want to feel: Emotions reflect your energetic frequency. Supportive rituals like journalling, meditation, or EFT tapping help you stay aligned with the feeling of your desire.
To help people embrace this mindful practice, PRYA has launched its Find Your Word campaign. Users can uncover their personal guiding word for 2026 through an interactive online tool. Their chosen word can then be engraved onto a custom PRYA necklace or bracelet – a tangible daily reminder of intention and identity.
