I want to talk about how choosing one word for the year can be a total game changer.
Whether or not you set New Year’s resolutions or goals, choosing a single word can serve as your guiding star for the year ahead—something everything else aligns with. At the end of this post, I’ll also share my word for 2026 and how I arrived at it.
Why One Word Works Better Than Resolutions
Choosing one word for the year often works better than traditional resolutions or long lists of goals. Why? Because it’s simple.
Instead of trying to remember five or ten things you wanted to accomplish, you’re focused on just one idea. Goals and resolutions can create pressure—especially when a week or a month goes by and you feel like you’re falling behind. By February, many people feel like they’ve already “failed.”
A word, on the other hand, creates direction, not pressure. It acts as a set of guardrails for your life, helping you ask:
- Am I living into my word?
- Or am I straying from it?
Even more importantly, your word becomes part of your identity. Instead of focusing on what you want to do, your word reflects who you want to become and how you want to show up as your best self.
Three Questions to Help You Choose Your Word
1. What do you want to feel more of this year?
Think about the emotions you want to experience more often. Do you want more peace, confidence, balance, joy, or fun? Focus not on what you don’t want to feel, but on what you do want more of—especially what felt lacking this past year.
2. What do you want to stop tolerating?
This can be external or internal. Maybe you want to stop tolerating draining environments, unhealthy dynamics, or situations that don’t bring out your best. Sometimes the things we tolerate come from ourselves—habits, excuses, or patterns that only we have the power to change. What do you want to draw a clear boundary around this year?
3. How do you want to show up?
Ask yourself how you want to show up in the year ahead. More confident? More present? Bolder? Kinder? More compassionate? This question helps you clarify the version of yourself you want to embody.
Finding Your Theme—and Your Word
Once you’ve answered these three questions, start looking for themes. What overlaps between what you want to feel, how you want to show up, and what you want to stop tolerating?
Maybe the theme is balance, courage, confidence, or slowing down. Your word will naturally emerge from that theme.
As you brainstorm words, notice which ones resonate most. Some words may feel close but not quite right. If that happens, look up synonyms or related words—there’s often one that fits better than your first choice.
Once you’ve landed on a word, take one more important step: look up its definition. Does the meaning truly align with who you want to become? Can you see it reflected in your identity?
Then make it personal. Ask yourself:
- What does this word look like in my life?
- How would I live it out day to day?
Your version of the word will likely look very different from someone else’s—and that’s exactly how it should be.
How to Make Your Word Stick
To make your word successful, it needs to stay visible. Write it on a sticky note, put it in your phone, on your computer, or on your mirror—anywhere you’ll see it often.
This past year, my husband asked AI to create an image representing his word, Forge, and used it as his phone’s screensaver. Every time he opens his phone, he sees a visual representation of what that word means to him. It’s personal and powerful.
You might also consider keeping a word-of-the-year journal. Each day, reflect briefly on how you lived out your word—even in small ways. This keeps it top of mind and helps it become part of your daily life.
My Words: From Pace to Presence
My word for last year was pace. I wanted to slow down—walk slower, drive slower, and stop living in a constant rush. While I did well in some areas, I noticed that in others I was still hurrying, still extremely task-oriented and driven.
As I reflected, I realized I didn’t want to repeat the same word, but I wanted something closely related. That led me to my word for 2026: presence.
I recognized that I need to work on being fully present with the people and moments in front of me—whether that’s noticing nature during a walk or giving someone my full attention during a conversation, both mentally and nonverbally.
When I looked up the definition of presence, one line stood out to me:
“The ability and willingness to deeply engage with life.”
That’s exactly what I want for 2026.
Do you usually choose a word for the year? If so, I’d love for you to share it. And if you haven’t chosen one yet, come back once you do and let me know what it is. Thanks for reading.