Words of the Year 2026

One of my favorite New Year traditions is to choose a word of the year that I use to anchor the way I want my life to feel. Some of my past words have been Flow, Courage, Abundant and Curious. This year, I have chosen four words. In some ways these words intersect, but they each hold their own distinct weight. So, instead of eliminating or combining them, I have decided to keep them all in 2026 and see how it goes throughout the year.

1. Cherished

2. Empowered

3. Assertive

4. Adventurous

Throughout the year, I will focus on these words and find (or create) evidence of them in my life. The first thing I do is define what they each mean to me. I look up definitions and synonyms. Next, I imagine what evidence I will see in my life when they are fully embodied. What will be on my calendar? What will my receipts reflect? What will I see in my photo album? As the year goes on, I reflect. I pay attention to the evidence of these things on a weekly and monthly basis. Before long, I notice the patterns, and it becomes easier to stack the evidence. By the end of the year I am able to see progress and notice a marked difference in my life, and that feels so good. It feels like a way of being instead of a list of things to do.