My plans for celebrating 2026
When I chose Celebrate as my word of the year (WOTY) for 2026, I wasn’t picturing a year of partying or even exuberant cheering. That actually sounds exhausting. So what am I envisioning when I say this year will be a year of celebration?
When I say “celebrate,” I’m thinking of appreciation, honor, gratitude, joy…I’m thinking of the many small beauties, kindnesses, and serendipities that occur daily, but often go unnoticed.
Merriam Webster has two definitions for celebrate:
- to recognize a notable event by doing something special or enjoyable
- to say or show publicly that someone or something is great or important
For my WOTY purposes, notable can be anything that I take note of, and doing something enjoyable could simply be consciously basking in the joy of the moment. Saying or showing publicly that someone or something is important could be as simple as speaking out loud my gratitude, recording it in my gratitude journal, or sharing it here on my blog or in social media. So I think both of these definitions fit.
Already this month, I have celebrated many small happenings and expressed my appreciation on several occasions. I look forward to sharing some of those with you. My plan is to share a few celebrations from each month on the final Tuesday of that month, as well as quotes and activities I have used to help strengthen focus on my WOTY.
Until then, here’s to a life worth celebrating!
Your turn
- What is one thing worth celebrating today?
- In general, do you prefer to celebrate holidays or major events quietly at home or with a big bang?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
What a grand word and terrific approach to incorporating it in daily life. I like the idea of having a post devoted to the application of your word each month. I really like the word celebration – and like you, not the partying type at all but the appreciation of all that is good in our lives.
Thanks Leslie. I like posting monthly as a way of keeping my word of the year front of mind. So far just intentionally looking for small things to celebrate has been great for my frame of mind.
Hi Christie – I think it’s lovely that you’ve chosen such a positive Word, it reminds me of my Word from last year – Delight – and how it helped me to pause at the end of each month to remember the little joys and delight in/celebrate them. I’ll look forward to reading yours.
I agree, Leanne. Celebrate and delight are both getting at the same thing…embracing all of life’s pleasures. So far, it’s working!
My favorite celebrations have always been smaller ones with my closest loved ones. The loudest (and sometimes best) part of them is usually laughter. I look forward to hearing about all of your celebrations this year, big or small.
I’m with you, Cindy. I like the more intimate gatherings, but every once in a while, it’s fun to gather everyone together and revel in the chaos. I’m thinking Christmas Eve! Either way, laughter makes the gathering a true celebration.
I mostly tend to be a quietly at home with just a few family and friends kind of celebrator. That said my husband and I will be celebrating 25 years of marriage this spring and we were just talking last night about how/where we might like to celebrate that.
Me too, Joanne. Twenty-five years is a big milestone. I’ll be curious to see how you decide to celebrate…if you choose to share with us. My husband and I are celebrating 27 years this month. We’re planning a nice dinner out just the two of us.
It’s funny how much I love to have my family gather for celebrations of any kind, but then I’m ready for quiet time. That was always a bit of a problem when we were hosting. Now that my daughter is doing it, we can just leave. There are times, though, when we all play board games or card games, and I love that. I’m celebrating some clarification on creating museum tours…it will make my life much easier!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I can relate to your feelings about family gatherings, Marsha. I feel exactly the same way. Yay for clarification and anything that makes life a little easier!