Word of the Year – Alignment and Flowing in Purpose

Rita Mercer Author

It’s time to check in—are you still aligned with your goals & purpose? Lean into the power of choosing a Word of the Year to anchor you in truth.

What if just one word could anchor your intentions, inspire your goals, and gently guide you back to yourself when the noise of life pulls you away?

Welcome to a fresh, powerful way of navigating your year: choosing a Word of the Year. On The Daring Well Podcast, I shared my journey with this concept and invited you to reflect on your own. In this post, we’ll dive deeper into how a single word can align you with your truth, help you flow in your purpose, and push through fear toward transformation.

Whether you're feeling aligned and inspired or stuck and disconnected, this is your moment to pause, realign, and reset.

Why Choose a Word of the Year?

Let’s be honest—New Year’s resolutions often fade by February. Life gets busy, the excitement wanes, and the goals we set become distant memories. But a Word of the Year is different. It’s not just a goal or a checklist item—it’s a compass. It provides clarity, focus, and alignment.

Your word becomes a filter through which you can view your decisions, relationships, and actions. It’s a tool for intentional living.

Words carry life. They are energetic and alive, and they can steer you back into alignment when you veer off course.

“If you’re being honest with yourself, are you living in alignment with your word?”

My Word: Optimize

I promised to share mine, and here it is: Optimize.

This year, I’m optimizing every part of my life—my time, my energy, my daily habits, and my mindset. I'm choosing not to coast through the year but to grow, stretch, and deepen my purpose.

Why? Because I've lived through too much not to want more for myself. I crave alignment and abundance. I crave intentional living.

And I know you do too.

Alignment = Living in Truth

When you’re living in alignment, things flow. It doesn’t mean life becomes easy or challenge-free, but your actions, thoughts, and goals feel connected to your soul’s truth.

“When you align with what you were created to do, grace flows.”

Alignment helps you:

• Reclaim your energy
• Say “yes” to the right things
• Say “no” to what doesn’t serve you
• Stay inspired when things get hard
• Resist the trap of comparison
• Walk confidently in your own purpose

Pushing Through the Fear

Here’s the truth: fear is part of the process. Purpose doesn’t show up without discomfort.

And still… I want you to do it anyway.

• Do it despite the anxiety.
• Do it despite the unknowns.
• Do it despite the lack of support.

Because on the other side of fear is:

• Growth
• Transformation
• Your purpose

“I want you to notice the fear, and I want you to do it anyway.”

If it feels scary, that’s probably because it matters. The right word should make you feel a little nervous and a lot inspired. You were not created to settle. You were created to stretch, evolve, and impact.

Stop Comparing. Start Creating.

Comparison will keep you stuck and stagnant. But you weren’t made to live someone else’s life.

“Instead of comparing your journey to someone else’s, create your own lane.”

No one else carries your exact gifts. No one else has your unique vision, passion, or voice. So stop watching others and start walking boldly in your purpose.

Your calling may not make sense to others—and that’s okay.

It’s not their vision to carry. It’s yours.

Your Word Should Stretch You

Not sure how to choose your word?

Your word should capture your hopes, dreams, values, and identity. It should call you to rise. It should remind you of what matters.

And yes—it should be a little terrifying.

“The right word fills you with sheer delight and utter fear.”

That means it’s big enough. Bold enough. True enough.

So if your word doesn’t push you… go deeper.

Three Ways to Anchor Your Word for the Year

Here’s how to get started or realign with the word that speaks to your spirit:

1. Reflect

Give yourself quiet space to journal, breathe, and listen inward.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want this year to feel like?
• What am I craving more of?
• Where do I feel out of alignment?
• What do I need to say yes to? What do I need to release?

Your answers will help guide your word.

2. Check Your Alignment

Once you’ve chosen your word, ask:

• Do my actions support this word?
• Do my habits reflect this energy?
• Does my mindset align with it?

If not, adjust. Pivot. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about course-correcting toward truth.

Sometimes you realize your first word wasn’t quite the one. It’s okay to refine it until it feels just right.

3. Flow in Purpose

Let go of resistance. You don’t need to hustle your way into purpose—it’s already in you.

Let your word:

• Guide your steps
• Shape your thoughts
• Inspire your choices

Then surrender the rest.

“Trust the path that’s unfolding before you—it’s meant for you.”

Signs You're Aligned With Your Word

How do you know you’re truly walking in alignment with your Word of the Year?

Here are a few signs:

• You feel energized rather than drained
• You say no with peace and yes with purpose
• You stop over-explaining your dreams to others
• You feel more rooted in your values and voice
• You’re willing to pivot but not abandon your truth

Alignment doesn’t mean easy—it means true.

When Your Word Fades...

If your word drifted to the background (along with your resolutions), that’s okay. Life happens. But don’t give up on it.

You can reclaim it.

Pull out your journal. Light a candle. Revisit your vision.

And ask yourself:

• Is this word still right for me?
• Has it shifted?
• What does alignment look like now?

Every moment is a chance to realign.

Words Other Women Have Chosen

If you need a little inspiration, here are some powerful Words of the Year other women in the Daring Well community have chosen:

• Courage – to break generational patterns
• Grace – to slow down and stop self-judgment
• Expand – to step into new opportunities
• Rooted – to stay grounded through transitions
• Heal – to prioritize emotional and physical restoration
• Flourish – to bloom unapologetically

What’s yours?

Sacred Rest Is Part of Alignment

As you embrace your word and step into your purpose, don’t forget to rest.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or spiritually dry, the Sacred Rest Retreat is your invitation to pause.

Come rest, reflect, and renew your energy with us.

🧘‍♀️ Learn more at daringwell.com/retreat

Final Thoughts: Dare to Align

This year, may your word:

• Stretch you
• Ground you
• Inspire you
• Heal you
• Move you into greater alignment with your truth

You were created for impact. You were created for boldness. You were created to flow in divine purpose—not perfection, not comparison, but presence.

So whether you’re just beginning or you’re midway through the year, your word still matters.

“You’ve got this. Keep living, keep loving, and keep daring well.”

✨ Your Action Steps

Before you go, here’s a quick recap of how to bring your Word of the Year to life:

• Reflect: Journal about what matters most to you this year.
• Choose a Word: Find one that reflects your values, desires, and goals.
• Align: Let it guide your habits, thoughts, and decisions.
• Flow: Release resistance and trust the process.
• Reset as Needed: Your word can evolve as you evolve.

Share Your Word with Us!

We’d love to hear from you! 💬
What’s your Word of the Year?

Send me a message to info@daringwell.com or share in the comments on YouTube. Let’s support each other in living well, living true, and living aligned.

Thank you for being part of this wellness journey.

With much love and boldness,
Rita Mercer
Wellness & Mindset Coach | Counselor | Podcast Host
The Daring Well Podcast

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Categories: : Goals, Purpose