The path to my 2026 Word of the Year and some New Year’s Possibilities
Here we are…the final days of 2025…a time when many of us are taking an inventory of the year past and planning ahead for a new start. For you, that may mean creating a vision board, setting a New Year’s Resolution…or Rejection…or choosing a Word of the Year. I’ve tried all of these approaches…and more…throughout my lifetime.
This year, I’m going with a Word of the Year (WOTY) and a couple of New Year’s Possibilities. (I prefer possibilities, which feel much gentler than resolutions.)
In case you are curious, here is my process for choosing a WOTY and a few of the ways I plan to put the word into practice.
4 steps for choosing a WOTY
1. Brainstorm
Ask yourself, “What is it that I want more of in my life?” This year, I reviewed lists of universal needs and feelings to get the juices flowing. I wrote down everything that caught my attention without self-editing. This is brainstorming after all; there are no right or wrong answers.
- Community
- Beauty
- Harmony
- Awareness
- Celebration of Life
- Challenge
- Discovery
- Space
- Awareness
2. Narrow the list
Once you have your master list, read through it and highlight the ones that jump out at you. Which words cause a reaction—whether that is excitement, joy, peace, or fear? (Sometimes the words that scare us are exactly what we need.) I circled these words:
- Harmony
- Awareness
- Celebration of Life
- Discovery
3. Sit with your words for a couple of days
Put the written list away and let the words percolate in your mind and your soul. For me, I like to meditate on them and, quite literally, sleep on them. I ask myself just before sleep which word is my word. Then give it some time to soak in. During that time, I pay attention to what the Universe presents to me. I often see my word in books or hear it come up in conversations or run into it in other ways. This process narrowed my choice down to two:
- Celebrate
- Discovery
4. Choose one
Finally you just need to choose. What is your heart…or your gut…telling you that you need more of this year? This year, to help me choose between my final two options, I looked up related quotes and listened to songs that came up when I did a search on the two potential words. This process lead me to…
CELEBRATE
I want 2026 to be about celebrating…celebrating myself, my loved ones, the earth, and life itself with all of its everyday experiences.
“Life is a celebration, embrace it with open arms and a grateful heart.”
~Debasish Mridha
Fun ways to incorporate a WOTY
Now that I have a WOTY, what should I do with it? Here are a few suggestions:
- Write it down and post it somewhere that you will see it daily.
- Create a piece of artwork or a vision board around your word.
- Meditate on your word. Set an intention to implement the word into your day.
- Gather quotes about your word.
- Create a playlist of songs that use your word.
- Journal or blog about your word.
- Plan activities centered around your word.
My 2026 New Year’s Possibilities
As I mentioned earlier, I prefer not to set New Year’s Resolutions, but I do like to have a few intentional possibilities…things I may want to pursue when the timing feels right. Here’s what that list looks like.
- Walk the final 100k of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.
- Get board certification from the National Board For Health And Wellness Coaching.
- Create and implement a plan for the new lot we purchased.
- Take a trip to Canada.
- Hike in Zions National Park.
Your turn
- What’s one fond memory you have from 2025? Is there something you’re ready to let go of?
- What are you looking forward to in 2026?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Feature image by Sakkanan Norkaew from Pixabay
Hi Christie – that’s a really positive WOTY and lends itself to looking for all the good to celebrate. It was interesting reading your process – mine’s a little different, I tend towards noting words here and there through the year, but usually towards late November, one begins to percolate to the surface and I mull it around through December, if it’s still “speaking” to me, then I go with it. This year one presented itself fairly early and I’m going to run with it for 2026 – my post will be up on Monday.
Here’s to a new and lovely year ahead – I enjoyed 2025 and I’m hoping 2026 will be a really pleasant one too. Nice to know I’ll be sharing it with you on our blogs. Happy New Year! x
I am excited for my year of celebrating, Leanne. I’m looking forward to learning what your word is. I love it when a word comes to you like that. Here’s to a lovely 2026 and another year together!
Hi Christie. I love your word and think it’s a great word for our age group. Just being here and being healthy is worthy of celebration. I’m looking forward to reading about all the ways you celebrate during 2026. I do loved reading about your path to choosing a word. I usually struggle to choose my word but something seems to come to me at the last minute. This year a word came to me, when I wasn’t thinking about it, in early November, and I just knew it would be my word for 2026. Your possibilities are fun and I would love them myself so I will be looking forward to hearing about them as you cross them off. When I first saw your word was Celebration, I couldn’t help thinking about Kool & The Gang. Just one of many great songs for your word of the year. All my best wishes to you and your family for a Happy New Year.
I love when a word finds you, Jennifer. I can’t wait to hear about yours. You can be sure that Kool & The Gang’s Celebration is on my new playlist! Wishing you and yours a happy New Year!
Hi Christie, having a positive nature goes hand in hand with celebration, and that describes you perfectly. Good choice. I look forward to watching your year unfold. As for me, I’m still uncertain. Nothing compelling has presented itself. Maybe I’ll be inspired by your list and actions. We’ll see. Happy New Year!
Thank you for those kind words, Suzanne. Sometimes a word comes to you…sometimes you have to go digging…and sometimes you scrap the WOTY and look for inspiration elsewhere. Whatever you decide, here’s wishing you and yours all the best in 2026!
Happy New Year Christie! Celebrate is such a joyful word-I love it! I’m a little late in the process, but I’ve been mulling over 3 different words for my WOTY. I think I’ve landed on strength. Emotional, mental and physical strength. I’ve never done this before, but hope it will be a gentle reminder to continue to grow in this direction.
Happy New Year to you and the family, Cindy! I love this word for you and all the things it can apply to. And I love the idea of a gentle reminder to build strength. I look forward to hearing how you put your word into action this year.
Not one for resolutions or, apparently Words of the Year. I had one last year (or the year before), and I have no idea what it was. I didn’t mindfully nor intentionally select it which explains the failure, right? And, that is why I don’t set resolutions. I like the idea of possibilities. They are things that just might happen. I may think on that for a bit and maybe do that. Having said all those negative things about WOTY, I think yours is a wonderful one, and I think people who choose them for the right reasons often have a lot of success with them. I was just going along with the crowd which is never a good idea.
My positive thing from 2025 was becoming a docent. It has, literally, saved my sanity. With my husband’s continuing health issues, I realize we will probably never travel together again nor will he ever walk again in a normal way. Part of that is his decision to not push himself…I can’t do that for him. But, being a docent has given me a new lease on life, lots of opportunities for learning, and friends! It has truly been a Godsend when I definitely needed it.
Have a wonderful new year!
Yes, Marsha, I agree. The intention behind our actions or goals does have a big effect on the results. I think you might like the possibilities approach. I certainly did. I have enjoyed very much following along on your docent journey. I am so happy for you, and I’m wishing you all the best for 2026!
Celebrate is a great WOTY Christie and I’m sure you will celebrate many milestones during 2026. Possibilities are always fun too, I’m sure you’ll love Canada, I know I did!!
All the best!
Debbie from debs-world.com
Grand choice of WOTY. I can envision you celebrating life with all those you love. And celebrating life in the beautiful great outdoors of your home. Celebrating with your sweet pup. Celebrating health and opportunities and experiences. Terrific choice!!
I struggled to think of a word. I wanted something that would help me continue on the path that you set me on earlier in 2025. Enjoying time for myself, not getting terribly wrapped around the hub when life throws a wrench in the works. So I chose flow. I envisioned the way I feel floating on my air mattress in the pool. Hope to feel that sense of peace more days than not in 2026.
Thank you, Leslie. I am pleased with my WOTY selection this year. I am so happy to hear you are continuing down the road of peace and enjoyment, and Flow fits nicely with that. Flow was my first ever WOTY. I chose it while sitting by the ocean. Here’s to finding and embracing peace in 2026!