My 2026 Word of the Year

2025 was an amazing year for me, but I also went through some huge life changes. One of the gifts of things changing is space opening up for new evolutions to arrive.

I wake up grateful and excited most days, but as I shifted into this next chapter (moving, marriage, etc.), I realized I had outgrown a lot of the things that previously made me happy, and it was time to discover (or re-discover) what truly brought me joy, so that I could do those things as much as possible.

Happy to me is very close to feeling grateful, meaning that I can be present in life and soak in all the small and big moments. Although last year brought a lot of amazing change for me, and some big things I had wanted for a long time, I still spent a lot of time in stress mode, thinking of all the “shoulds”, and how far away I felt in other areas of life. My goal for 2026 is to be more focused on the good that’s already around me, present in the now, so I don’t waste time simply wanting more and more, instead of taking space to soak in the chapter of life I’m in (and the desires I presently have that I had previously been wanting).

Happy also means seeking and creating joy, taking the time to do the things that light me up. I have been realizing more and more that drinking and hanging out with large groups of people does not bring me the joy it once did. It can be scary to feel so much space in your life to explore what truly makes you happy, but it’s my priority to get curious and take action in ways I haven’t before, allowing myself to explore who I am now and what makes me happy.

I’d love to know your word of the year, and why you chose it as your goal for 2026 below in the comments.