Take a pause
Before you choose a direction, it helps to clear a little space. Pick whichever suits you today.
No need to force anything. Just notice what has been loud lately, what has been missing, and what you might want to carry into the year ahead.
A guided meditation
Plug in your headphones and let yourself be guided. This meditation walks you through imagining yourself a year from now, which is a natural way into choosing your word.
A Curated Playlist
Or, if music helps you settle your mind, I made a playlist for exactly this. Put it on in the background, take it on a walk, and see where your mind wanders.