For the past five days, I’ve been trying to write this post. I thought I’d figured out my word of the year a while back—it seemed perfect for my new year. Or so I thought.
But when I started typing, it didn’t feel right. Despite my attempts, I couldn’t finish the post.
Today, I decided it was time to get it done. After all, I had already come up with some daily journaling prompts based on the word to help me stay on track.
It’s all good. Finish the damn post. Just show up.
And that’s when I discovered my true word of the year for 2025: Show Up.
This was where I had been stuck. Showing up is half the battle—both literally and figuratively, as far as I’m concerned.
How many times have I given up in the past year—and in years before—simply because I didn’t show up? Thankfully, I didn’t keep count. It would’ve been an embarrassingly high number if I had.
To hold myself accountable, I’ve created a few journaling prompts to reflect on each day, week, and month:
- How can I show up today/week/month?
- How did showing up help me today/week/month?
- What stopped me from showing up today/week/month?
I hope that with the help of my word of the year and these journaling questions, I can overcome the fears that usually hold me back from exploring the things I truly want to do.
There’s so much I want to accomplish. This year, I’m giving myself permission to shed the shackles of perfectionism, procrastination, and the fear of rejection, success, or failure. Just show up.
Last year, I came across the idea of asking myself: What is the bare minimum I can do to feel that I showed up?
What Showing Up means:
For my exercise routine, it’s climbing the stairs five times. That’s my commitment to staying active. For yoga, it’s completing one round of sun salutations. I can always do more, but the bare minimum ensures I’m showing up for myself.
This “bare minimum” rule applies to every area of my life:
- Writing for at least 10 minutes with a timer.
- Reading blogs for a minimum of 30 minutes in the evening.
- Reading a book for 10 minutes in the morning.
Some of these habits are already in place, but the key is consistency. The goal is to remind myself to show up without overthinking.
If I stop overthinking and start showing up I would:
- Complete my half-written stories and publish them as a book.
- Finish the half-done tutorials and upload them to Skillshare.
- Work on the new idea of writing a poetry book.
- Revive my Etsy store by uploading some of the artwork I’ve created over the years.
And so much more.
By the end of 2025, I want to look back and feel proud that I showed up for myself every single day.
So here I’m showing up by finishing this post after many futile attempts, hoping to keep my word this year.
Do you have a word of the year? Please share in the comments. Wish you a healthy, happy and peaceful new year.
Void Thoughts 
what a lovely word, Vini! I love your reflection prompts and your bare minimum commitment to yourself. I think this is an idea I will also adopt!
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Oh this is such a great WOTY. Showing up is half the battle won 😀 I don’t have a word… maybe I should try one this year.
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Lovely word, Vinitha! And a very powerful word too! I’m so glad you found the word and are now using it to become accountable for yourself. How amazing is that! I can almost see how 2025 will see you fulfil all those aspirations and goals by showing up and taking responsibility.
Since you asked, I’ve also come up with my #WOTY and this year it is ‘BEING’ (authentically me, just as I am…) quite the opposite of ‘DOING’ which has been my focal point all these years, up until now. It will be quite interesting see how it unfolds and where it leads me to, in 2025! 🙂
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I really like this word. Showing up indeed helps in building habits. This is something I will also be working this year! Love your ‘bare minimum’ concept. Would surely try to follow it too!
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It’s good to be back here, Vinitha. Show up is such a fantastic word. It’s a word for a lifetime for me. It’s amazing what this word will do to us. It’s key especially on days when we feel like there’s nothing else to do at all, but the only thing to do is Show up. Wishing you a fantastic year ahead Vinitha ❤
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Great choice, Vini. One of the things I admire about your is your consistency. I’m loving the ‘bare minimum rule’ you’ve adopted. I’m doing this too with my walking.
Wishing you a wonderfully creative year ahead, Vini.
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That’s the best word you could have chosen, Vinitha! All the best to you and wishing you a fabulous 2024!
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Reading your post I realised that Show up has been my Word of the year for a long time. I once made a list (that I still go back to) with the things I need to do everyday to keep me happy – read, write, exercise and spend time with family. And I tick off each of the items everyday. However, your idea of quantifying each activity is so much better. And I hope you don’t mind me sharing your WOTY. I am going to check back at the end of each month to see how many days I did show up on each count.
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I kept the same word, experiencing. I know that it’s not enough, but for the moment
I can not change it.
A Happy New Year, dear Vinitha! Be inspired in everything you do! ❤️😘
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Showing up is hslf the battle in life.
Dad’s need to show up
Mom’s need to show up
Show up is a key aspect in life.
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