The “Be Strong Be Brave Be Fearless” paraphrase of Joshua 1:9 has been a deep source of encouragement for me, so I turned it into a free printable to share. I hope it speaks to you as much as it does to me.
I’m excited to share my word of the year with you. I normally announce this in January, but earlier this year I was deep in the Less of a Hot Mess decluttering challenge, which itself grew directly from last year’s focus word — a neat full-circle moment for me.
If you’re not familiar, choosing a single Word of the Year—sometimes called “One Little Word”—is a practice popularized by designer and memory keeper Ali Edwards. The idea is simple: pick one word to focus on, reflect on, and let shape your decisions throughout the year. Over time these words become guideposts for how we live and what we prioritize.
A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.
In 2006 I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January—a word to focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, story, light, up, open, thrive, give, and whole. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They’ve helped me to breathe deeper, see clearer, navigate challenges, and grow.
I, Laura, have chosen a Word of the Year each year since 2013. My past words include Contentment (2013), Grace (2014), Rest (2015), and Simplify (2016). Each of these words captured a season of life and shaped the priorities I returned to again and again.
Fearless
This year’s word is Fearless. The idea has been forming in my mind since last summer, showing up in books I read, talks I listened to, and the goals I set. Choosing “Fearless” doesn’t mean I expect to stop feeling fear. Instead, it’s a reminder to act despite fear and to keep moving forward in the areas that matter most.
I’m an introvert by nature. Speaking up in groups or being the center of attention has long felt uncomfortable, and as a child that shyness could be crippling. With time I’ve become less concerned about others’ opinions, but quieter tendencies still show up as a fear of putting myself out there—especially in my work.
My fears tend to be practical and personal: What if I write a book and nobody reads it? What if I start a project and can’t finish it—will people see me as unreliable? What if I offend someone when I’m only trying to help? Those questions can keep a person small if they’re allowed to rule decisions.
These fears influence how I share ideas and run my business. For a long time I hesitated to promote projects or speak boldly about what I believe. Deciding to be fearless means choosing to move forward even when doubt whispers louder than confidence.
RELATED: My Organized Office
A great example of this word in action was the 30-day decluttering challenge I’d wanted to lead for years but kept talking myself out of. I worried it would be too much work and that I wouldn’t follow through. Hiring my friend Emily as social media manager and encourager in 2016 turned out to be one of my best decisions. Her confidence and support helped me launch and complete the Less of a Hot Mess challenge, and it connected me to readers who were eager for decluttering and organization help.
There were setbacks—sickness right before a major post, long days, and a lot of work—but the payoff was worth it. The challenge gave me the chance to serve readers and to prove to myself that I could follow through on something important.
Since that experience, when doubt creeps in this year I try to remind myself of what happened when I leaned into fear instead of away from it: things moved forward. I connected more deeply with readers. I completed a big project. I learned along the way. That momentum encourages me to keep choosing fearlessness.
Be Strong; Be Brave; Be Fearless — Free Printable
To celebrate this season of courage, I created a free printable of the paraphrase that inspired me. I found the phrase while looking for chalkboard art for a new organizer in my office, and it felt like the perfect fit for my word of the year. The design includes the comforting final line: “you are never alone,” a reminder that God’s presence is the foundation of my courage.
I’ve made the printable available in six color options so you can pick the one that speaks to you. If you’d like to display it on a chalkboard, frame it, or tuck it into a planner as a daily reminder, it’s available to download from the printable page.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. If you’re choosing a Word of the Year, I hope it helps you focus, move forward, and live with intention. If “Fearless” resonates with you, let this printable be a small reminder that courage is a choice you can practice daily.
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