The Power of One Word: Your Guide to Choosing a Word of the Year for 2026
As we prepare to welcome 2026, many of us feel the
excitement of setting goals, making resolutions, and planning the changes we
want to create in our lives. But here is something to consider as you think
about the year ahead:
You do not need a long list of goals to transform your life.
You just need one intentional word.
This month, I want to share why choosing a Word of the Year
can be one of the most meaningful practices you bring into 2026, and how to
select a word that truly supports the version of yourself you are becoming.
For 2025, my word was introspection.
I dedicated the year to looking inward, reading books, listening to podcasts,
and taking courses focused on healing, growth, and personal development. It was
a season of understanding myself more deeply and gaining clarity about what I
truly want. Now I want you to find a word for 2026 and set your intentions
around it.
Why Choose a Word of the Year
Traditional resolutions often fade because they feel
overwhelming, rigid, or disconnected from who we truly are. A Word of the Year
offers a different approach.
A single word becomes a focus point. It offers clarity,
direction, and purpose. Instead of adding more pressure, it simplifies the
process of growth. Your word becomes a guide for how you want to live, lead,
love, work, and grow throughout the year. It gently brings you back to what
matters, even during busy seasons.
Your word acts as a reminder of your values, a compass for
your decisions, a prompt for personal development, and a reset button when old
habits try to return. It is not about perfection. It is about alignment and
intention.
How to Choose Your Word
Your word should reflect where you are headed, not where you
have been. Here is a simple process to help you find it.
1. Reflect on 2025
Ask yourself:
- What challenged me?
- What energized me?
- What did I avoid that I know I need to face?
- Where did I grow and where do I want continued growth?
Patterns will start to emerge. Pay
attention to those themes.
2. Envision Your 2026 Self
Imagine who you want to be a year from now.
·
How do you communicate?
How do you spend your time?
What boundaries do you honor?
What habits support your well-being?
Your future self holds the clues.
3. Notice Your Emotional Response
Your word should evoke something meaningful. It may bring
excitement, peace, courage, or a sense of possibility. If the word feels flat,
keep exploring.
How to Use Your Word All Year Long
Choosing your word is the first step but living it
throughout 2026 is where the transformation happens.
Keep it visible- Place it somewhere you will see it every
day: a journal cover, a mirror, your phone background, or a note on your desk.
Use it as a decision filter- Before committing to something,
ask yourself: Does this align with my word? Your answer will guide your choices
with clarity.
Reflect regularly- Check in with yourself monthly. Ask: How
did I honor my word this month? Where did I drift away from it? What small step
can I take next?
Incorporate it into your language- Speak it, write it, think
it. Repetition reinforces intention.
Your word becomes a steady companion, reminding you of who
you are choosing to be.
Choosing a Word of the Year is not about doing more. It is
about being more intentional with what you already do. It provides a simple and
powerful lens to guide your thoughts, decisions, and actions.
In a world that constantly demands your attention, your word
becomes an anchor. It centers you. It reminds you of what matters most. And it
gives you space to grow in a direction that feels meaningful and aligned.
As 2026 approaches, consider giving yourself the gift of a
word. Not just a word you like, but a word that leads you.
You do not need to know every step of the journey ahead. You
simply need a starting point. Sometimes that starting point is one powerful
word.
If you are 40plus women, in 2026 I will be offering a weekly newsletter called "The Midlife Joy Edit" all things about living your best life. Click Here to Sign Up
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