Not Brain Rot?!
On January 1st several years ago, I asked my children if they were going to set any resolutions for the New Year. My six-year-old daughter, Brooke, replied, “I want to love more.” Every New Year’s Day since, I fondly remember this and feel encouraged by her innocent yet profound words.
Over the years, I’ve had a mixed track record with New Year’s Resolutions. Admittedly, my successes have come with resolutions centered around expansive living (like loving more) while my failures were attached to restrictive living ideas (like diet and exercise). This past year I learned about a trend to choose a “word of the year” rather than make a traditional resolution. I did a lot of thinking about a potential 2024 word but never resolved to actually choose one. But for 2025, I’ve made my choice and I couldn’t be more excited!
In preparing for this blog post, I Googled “word of the year.” The first result was from Oxford University Press.
Oxford defines brain rot as follows: (n.) Supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also, something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration.
The idea of brain rot oddly encourages me to find a meaningful and uplifting word of the year for 2025.
Choosing a word of the year is similar to setting an intention for the year. Instead of focusing on changing specific behaviors, it’s about choosing a direction to go with your whole self, a place to direct your focus through both easy and challenging times. It’s a way to embrace intentional living.
For me, 2024 was filled with many stressors that sometimes left me feeling defeated. I don’t know what 2025 holds yet, but it feels full of possibilities. I have plans for a word-of-the-year t-shirt and some word art (even though apparently word art is now out of style).
I might tell you that my word of the year just popped into my mind, but it didn’t. I spent this past year contemplating about the word I wished I had chosen. If your word of the year doesn’t come to you easily, don’t worry. Consider thinking or journaling about the prompts below to help uncover it. With some attention, I bet your word will show itself.
Think about a word that encompasses who you are right now.
Where do you need balance?
What inspires you?
What does peace look like in your life?
How would you like to grow in 2025?
How do you find encouragement?
How do you feel when you’ve experienced a really good day?
What does a bad day feel like?
Brainstorm a list of words and don’t hold back - any word is possible. Choose a word that resonates deeply, a word you would be proud to wear on a t-shirt or see as wall art (lol)!
By the way, my word for 2025 is hope.
And, I hope that 2025 is a beautiful year for you.
Resources
Chin, Dorothy, Ph.D. Better than a Resolution? Try a New Year’s Intention. Psychology Today, December 30, 2022. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-different-lens/202212/better-than-a-resolution-try-a-new-years-intention#:~:text=Intentions%20are%20a%20healthier%2C%20more,more%20productive%20than%20setting%20goals..
Oxford University Press. “‘Brain Rot’ Named Oxford Word of the Year 2024.” Oxford University Press, December 2, 2024. Available at: https://corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/#:~:text=Following%20a%20public%20vote%20in,2024%20is%20'brain%20rot'..