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Besides setting goals for the year ahead there’s another New Year’s practice I greatly treasure: picking a word for the year. This word has to do with something I want to pray for, strive after, grow in and discover. Today I will share a bit about my word for 2026.
A word for the year is way more vague than a resolution. In a way it’s the antithesis of a “smart goal”. For me, my word for the year is much more about conjuring a certain feeling or an attitude I want to foster than a specific thing I want to accomplish. And therefore it’s a practice that is completely without pressure.
My experience with past words for the year
It’s difficult to know if a word is still relevant by the time April or November roll around. To be honest, there have been years where I have thought very little about my word after the end of January. However, I have set an initial intention, have named what I am yearning for or desire. And I think that often I still have unconsciously chased whatever my word embodied.
For example, last year my word was “Expand”. I had some specific ideas how I wanted this to manifest itself in my life. At the time it looked like we couldn’t stay in our current place and I hoped that we could expand our living quarters and move into a bigger place. Our situation has changed now and we’ll probably gonna stay in our cozy little flat for the forseeable future.
However, I also wrote that I am hoping to expand my influence, my comfort zone and my heart. I had the opportunity to take on a bit more responsibility in our church for some things. Nothing huge, but definitely an expansion! Previously almost all of my work has been confined to our home whereas now some hours every week are focused on others, which feels very good!
How to choose a word for the year
I don’t overthink the process of choosing a word for the year. Often I just suddenly feel drawn to a certain word. Some might call it intuition, others the Holy Spirit.
If nothing stands out to me I look through my previous words or read blog posts on other people’s words for the year. Another thing I do is that I look at verses I recently highlighted in my Bible or my Scripture app. Maybe a word in there jumps out at me. Going through each of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control) would be a cool idea. Or you just google “word for the year ideas” and wade through the millions of words you could pick!
My word for 2026: RETURN
I saw the word “Return” written somewhere recently and it just made me feel warm inside, as cheesy as that sounds. And when I started thinking about it more, there was so much in it that resonated with me. So I knew it had to be my word for 2026!
Return
I want to return to myself, the things I have loved and been passionate about since childhood and my teenage years.
Making things and taking my creativity seriously, even when no one else does. And even when the result is not impressive.
Music – I want to listen to more music, hear bands live and pick up my guitar more often or sit down on my piano. And to sing as much as possible!
I want to re-kindle my passion for the environment and make choices that refelct care for God’s creation.
Return to my passion for studying the Bible and learning more about God and his character.
And I am hoping to return to movement that makes me feel alive – running, doing yoga and strength training.
Return to gratitude.
I want to keep returning to the people I love and who love me – my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my church.
I am excited what else I shall (re)-discover as I focus on returning this year!
What’s your word for 2026?
Did you pick a word for 2026? If yes, I would love what you have chosen!
This post is day 12 of my 12 days of blogmas challenge. Read more here. It’s the final post in this challenge – I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for not managing to publish these withing 12 days. Life is full but good right now. I so enjoyed this little challenge, thanks for being here and reading. It means a lot to me!
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