I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it here before, but one of my favorite things this time of year is picking my Word of the Year. Originally, I would pick a word on my birthday {in July}, deciding on a word/theme for my new age. I eventually switched it over to New Year’s, which is what most people do, and it’s continued to be a thoughtful process.

Rather than creating a list of goals that may or may not happen, I like the idea of deciding a word/theme for the year. There’s not really a way to “fail” since it’s an idea, and there’s enough flexibility that as you evolve through the year, the definition and/or application can evolve as well.

Before sharing my word for 2026, I thought I’d look back over previous word selections. From sifting through old blogs and planners/journals, it appears that I started with my birthday in 2004. So more than 20 years of picking a word/theme for my year. Wow … Time flies, y’all.

2004: Redefinition
2005: Promise
2006: Memory/Reality/Dream/Vision/Grow {I noted that I had a hard time narrowing it down!}
2007: Waltzing {I was in a phase of playing Josh Groban’s “So She Dances” on repeat}
2008: Living
2009: Fullness
2010: Vision

I cannot seem to locate words for 2011 or 2012 – there was a lot going on in those years, so maybe I didn’t choose one? It’s more likely I did and recorded them somewhere different, one of those “safe spaces,” ha. I know for sure that I switched to New Year’s word selections in 2013.

2013: New
2014: Beauty
2015: Brave
2016: Believe {I bought myself a stacking ring set that reads “she believed she could” on one ring, and “so she did” on the second}
2017: Thrive
2018: Wander & Soar
2019: Lionhearted {another ring was purchased for the stack}
2020: Love
2021: Content {very fitting for the year Mr and I got married}
2022: Cozy
2023: [???] How do I not have a word for this year? I started the blog!
2024: Abundance
2025: Peace – Peace of mind, Peace be still, Peace in the midst of the storm

And in 2026? I have selected Make.

Make the bouquets.
Make delicious eats in the kitchen.
Make a new chicken coop.
Make all the crafty things.
Make memories.
Make dreams come true.
Make a good hobbity life.

Do you pick a word and/or theme for your year?