Happy (almost) New Year! OK, so it’s still December, and not quite time to celebrate with party hats, streamers, and noisemakers… but since January is right around the proverbial corner, it feels like a great time for me to divulge my 2016 word of the year – and then invite you to do the same!
First, though, a confession.
I’ve chosen a special word at the start of the past couple of years, and in both cases was excited about using my words to inspire me pursue my goals… but to be honest, I didn’t do a whole lot of followup in the months to come, so my good intentions ended up falling by the wayside.

Rather than use this disappointing outcome as an excuse to skip out on picking a new word for 2016, however, I’ve decided to look at the situation as a learning experience to make this year different.
How? Well, I actually wrote a whole post about it which was published just yesterday on BlogHer, and I’d love it if you’d check it out and (hopefully!) be inspired…
3 Ways to Use Your Blog to Stick to Your Resolutions
…then pop back over here to read the rest of this post. (Don’t worry, I’ll wait!)
*insert hold music*
Welcome back! OK, so now that you know how I’m going to use my blog to help me follow through with my intentions for 2016, it’s time for me to reveal my word of the year, which is…
P r o g r e s s
I love how this word can be both a verb…
Move forward or onward in space or time.
and a noun…
Forward or onward movement toward a destination.
…giving me two angles from which I can look at my goals:
I will progress
and
I will see progress
I have a LOT of progress that I’m planning to make in the year to come and, following my own advice in my BlogHer post, will be telling you all about it on January 1, 2016 (my birthday!) in the first post of a special 2016 blog series. I hope you’ll stop by and check it out, and stick around to support me as I work towards achieving my goals.
Now it’s your turn!
Ready to jump in?
How you can get involved in the 2016 Word of the Year Linkup
Note: This linkup will be open until the end of January 2016, so you have LOTS of time to write and add your own post!
- Write and post an entry in your blog about the word you chose for 2016.
- Click the “add your link” button below and share your post.
- Click “get the InLinkz code” below and add the linkup code to your post.
- Visit and comment on some of the other posts listed in the linkup.

Twitter: judiboomergirl
December 30, 2015
Laurel, so love that word ‘progress’ – I use it a lot in my life after 50. I often feel like I’m a work in ‘progress’ and like to think I’m moving forward. Good luck in the new year and keep moving forward.
Judy Freedman recently posted… It’s Time to Positively Rock In the New Year!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Thank you so much, Judy!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: barbaralbstorey
December 30, 2015
Great word! My word for 2016 is FREEDOM. There’s a lot of reasons behind that choice – maybe I should write a blog post to explain them? 🙂
Barbara Storey recently posted… “I’m the One” – Falling in Love With Yourself
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Love it, Barbara! And yes, I think you should definitely write a post!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: kaushiva
December 30, 2015
Love the idea of using your blog to stay on track with your new year resolutions. Accountability, Support and Inspiration are the key points, I agree.
Love the word you chose – Progress! My word is Focus… 🙂
Wishing you a very happy new year, Laurel! Love!
Aditi recently posted… Ushering in the New Year #blogchatter #prompt
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Thank you so much, and all the best on a focus-filled New Year! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: RamblinGarden
December 30, 2015
I was not even going to pick a word this year. I forgot about mine before January 2015 was done with, yet it ended up describing my year so perfectly. So here I am with this year’s word: DETERMINATION. Tomorrow, my post will go live.
Alana recently posted… Winter Wonders -The Still Unsolved Christmas Day Photo Mystery
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Great word, Alana – looking forward to checking out your post!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Hi Laurel – I had Release as my word for 2015 and I’m choosing Embrace for 2016. I have a post coming out in a couple of days time on this and will definitely link up because I love reading everyone else’s choices. ~ Leanne
Leanne recently posted… looking forward to a new year
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Great word, Leanne – looking forward to reading your post!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
December 31, 2015
Great choice, Lauren and you know I loved your post on BlogHer. I will be doing a #woty post tomorrow and will share it here. Thank you for creating this linky!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Gratitude For A Lesson Learned in 2015
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
You’re most welcome, Corinne – looking forward to reading your post!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
“Progress” is such a powerful and positive word Lauren! I feel the need to incorporate that in my life too….’for all the work in progress’ to move ahead and make way for newer projects!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
I agree, definitely powerful and positive!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: kohleyedme
December 31, 2015
Loved both your posts, Lauren. Lat year I had picked the word Embrace and this year it is Focus. I need to zero in on many important things this year. I hope I can. Good luck with your woty and wish you a happy new year. Thanks for creating the linky.
Shalini R recently posted… On Zeroing in…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Thank you so much, Shalini, and a very Happy New Year to you as well!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: ReemaMichelle
December 31, 2015
Progress is what we all desire! Nice choice of a word. Happy New Year! And I’ve decided that I am going to have a word for the year too!
Reema D’souza recently posted… Ushering in the New Year
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Excellent! Happy New Year to you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: ravyne
December 31, 2015
Wonderful word for 2016! Mine is ABUNDANCE this year. Hopefully this will keep the “Can Is” and “Should Is” away and just leave room for allowing all abundant things to enter my world.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Wonderful word, Ravyne – thank you for sharing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: sanchlivinglife
January 1, 2016
I love the word Progress…and I’m sure you will see a lot of it! Happy birthday and Happy 2016 Laurel! I hope it’s a wonderful year of promise and progress.
Sanch recently posted… Hello 2016
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Thank you so much, Sanch! Happy New Year!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: charlene_ttmn
January 1, 2016
Love your word for 2016! Mine is Enjoy! Thanks for hosting this link up – Happy New Year to you and your family.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
Thank you, and Happy New Year to you and yours! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: parul2411
January 1, 2016
That’s a great word and I am sure you can do so much with that one. Great choice. WOTY is an impressive thing but I have not been able to think of something. There is a lot that I would like to do but sure if that will be my word for the year.
Parul Thakur recently posted… Goodbye 2015
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 1, 2016
It’s challenging to come up with a word, but so inspiring when you do! Good luck!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Happy 2016!! 🙂
I think my phrase for this year is “peace of mind”
I also want to spend less time online in 2016 and write more.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 2, 2016
Thank you! Both sound like good goals to me. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: suzyq1810
January 3, 2016
Progress is such a positive word and definitely attainable. Will look forward to seeing how your word unfolds. Thanks for hosting the linkup. Wishing you an awesome 2016 and progress in leaps and bounds.
Suzy recently posted… #woty My Word for 2016 is Creative
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you so much, Suzy! Happy New Year!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: mumbaionahigh
January 3, 2016
I loved your post on blog her and hope you fulfill your word of the year
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: parsimoniousp
January 3, 2016
I love your idea with the use of Word of the Year. It took me a lot of thoughtful consideration before I was able to choose a word of the year, but I finally have come up with one and will have a post live tomorrow with it!
Ashley Pomykala recently posted… Go Where all the Mommies go – MommyCon
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Excellent – looking forward to reading it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… The 50 by 50 Project
Twitter: thatoddmom
January 4, 2016
Love your word and thanks for hosting the link-up!
Jessica Sanders-Parmer recently posted… Menu Plan Monday: How I Plan My Weekly Menu
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 4, 2016
Thank you, and you’re most welcome! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 71 – Read Harder Challenge 2016
Great word and great way to look at both the noun and the verb side. Wishing you lots of progress in 2016! Thanks for hosting.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 9, 2016
Thank you so much, Shelly!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: anxiousgeek
January 10, 2016
Great word! I love it. I have no idea what to chose.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 10, 2016
Thank you! It can definitely be challenging to come up with something that really works for you.
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: anxiousgeek
January 13, 2016
About ten minutes after this comment I realised what it would be. Obvious actually.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 13, 2016
Excellent!
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Great idea Laurel, glad to read your post today. I have been missing you and thanks for this post. Its making me think and I would definitely would like to come up with one word for the year for myself in my post. I love the image “work in progress” wishing you the very best.
Belated happy birthday to you, and may you be blessed in abundance 🙂 Glad to reconnect in 2016:)
G Angela recently posted… Birthday of My Dad! & Wedding Anniversary of my Parents !
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 13, 2016
Thank you so much for your kind words, Angela – so good to see you, and glad you decided to jump in with a word for the year! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… International Blog Delurking Week 2016
Twitter: vinithadileep
January 21, 2016
Great choice, Laurel. Finally today I did the post for WOTY. Thank you for inspiring me to do so. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted… Word Of The Year 2016
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 21, 2016
Excellent – looking forward to reading it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 74
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