Let’s be honest: for many of us, traditional New Year’s resolutions don’t stick. We start with enthusiasm in January, armed with a list of goals and a fresh planner—but by mid-February, our motivation starts to fade. Life gets busy, progress stalls, and we quietly set those goals aside.

If that sounds familiar, it’s not a failure—it just might be that typical resolutions aren’t a great fit for how you’re wired. That was true for me, too. I needed something that felt more meaningful and sustainable. That’s when I discovered the One Word Challenge—and it changed how I approached not just the New Year, but the entire year.

One Word, One Year: A Better Way to Begin

Back in 2013, a new trend began when people started choosing one word as a focus for the year—something like patience, joy, or courage. It was meant to be a simpler, more purposeful way to grow: not checking things off a list, but instead much more transformation in an area of life.

At first, I was skeptical. I’m not one to jump on self-help trends. But something about this challenge was different. Instead of resolutions I was likely to abandon, I could focus on one word that helped shape my attitude, actions, and faith.

A helpful resource that I used early on was GetOneWord.com, which offers a free 3-step printable to help you reflect and choose a meaningful word. It’s a simple tool, but it really helped me stay focused.

I’ve now chosen a word each year for about seven years. Some years were more impactful than others, but by 2018, I realized something was missing: I hadn’t invited God into the process. So, the following year, I committed to pray over my word before choosing it.

The Year of “Dwell”

In 2019, after a few days of prayer, the word DWELL kept surfacing. I studied Scriptures with this word and wrote down verses that would guide me:

• Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – Psalm 91:1
• In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8
• Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. – Psalm 37:3

The word “dwell” means to remain, to live, to focus attention. I journaled my intention: “Where I dwell, how I dwell, and why I dwell should bring glory to God.”

But just a few short months later, life threw us a curveball. In June, my 90-year-old mother came to live with us permanently after a fall. The transition was hard. My two teenage sons had to make hard adjustments. Our once peaceful home became a bit chaotic. Homeschooling suffered. Tensions grew.

By August, I felt like dwelling was the last word that described our home. But I held on. I remembered something Christine Caine wrote in her devotional Unshakeable for January 1st:

“God wants us to be diligent in keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus—laser-focused. He wants us to stay the course, and where we focus is where we’ll go.”

So I stayed the course.

And by the end of that hard, beautiful, stretching year, I understood why God led me to dwell. It wasn’t about my house or even my family’s atmosphere. It was about learning to dwell in Him.

These verses came alive in a new way:

• Strength and joy are in His dwelling place. – 1 Chronicles 16:27
• Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. – Psalm 90:1
• The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us… full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

God reminded me that He is my true home. My refuge. My shelter in the chaos. He was teaching me to lean on Him—not my circumstances—for peace, stability, and grace.

So… Does the One Word Challenge Work?

Yes. But only when we don’t try to make it happen all on our own.

A word becomes powerful when it’s guided by prayer and rooted in God’s purpose for our lives. It becomes an anchor, not a to-do list. And even if the year doesn’t unfold the way we expect, we can trust that God is always working through it.

So if resolutions have never been your thing, consider this: What if instead of setting a dozen goals, you invited God to give you just one word? One word to guide you, shape you, and draw you closer to Him.

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Two Ways to Stay Focused on Your One Word

You don’t need a big plan or fancy tools to keep your One Word in focus—just choose a method that works for your personality. Here are two simple ways to stay intentional all year long:

1. Reflect in a way that fits you.
Whether you love journaling or prefer a visual approach, find a style that helps you stay connected to your word.

• Use the first pages of a journal to write about your word and why you chose it
• Add verses, quotes, or insights throughout the year
• Try a vision board or Pinterest board for a creative visual reminder

2. Go solo… or find support.
Your One Word journey can be personal—or shared with others for encouragement.

• Join a group online to connect with others
• Share your word with a friend or family member
• Or, keep your word personal as God works in you through the year.

No matter how you choose to live out your word—whether you’re writing it down, pinning it to a vision board, or just keeping it in the back of your mind—it’s about staying open to growth. One word might not change everything overnight, but it can shift your focus and help you keep moving in the right direction. Just keep showing up, and let the journey unfold.

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