It feels like the first two weeks of January have lasted two seconds and two years all at the same time. Anyone else feel this way? Just me?
I’ve been thinking the past several weeks, almost two months really, about my word of the year and what I want my intention to be for the year. After sleeping on it for almost the whole year (so far), I’ve made my decision.
(Warning: this is brutally honest and a bit vulnerable)
Self.
My word of the year is Self. It’s multifaceted for me and has really resonated so far this year. This isn’t saying that I want to be more selfish, self-involved or self-absorbed. This is me saying I want to be the best version of myself and be as mindful and intuitive as I can when being selfless for others. Self, to me, doesn’t only encompass just one person (me) but the self of community as a whole as well.
Self in that I really want to make an effort to do things that are just for myself this year. Yes, I have hobbies and there are things I like to do, but I also mean carving out time for stillness, relaxing (I think) and doing nothing for myself. A slow down of sorts (if I’m able to). If you show up for yourself, you can better show up for others. I started the year by taking something off of my plate that’s held space for a long time, and while it’s missed, this change is really what I need for myself. Change is a good thing, does and doesn’t have to be a permanent thing and this was a decision I made for myself. Choosing myself over what others want. Showing up for myself.
Self in that I want to continue to be selfless and show up for my people. There’s something intuitive about selflessness and I want to continue to keep that a priority throughout 2026. I want to be better, partner, family member, friend, and person. Inherently, showing up for my people and my community fills me up and I want to continue to be that person. I want to make an effort to show selflessness and do for others more, whether it’s my people and my immediate community or strangers and volunteering and investing in different organizations.
Self in self-talk, self-worth and self-thought. I can be quick to judge myself, pretty aggressively at times, and it’s something I really want to work on. Negative self-talk is so common in our society and I find myself personally falling into it more often than I care to admit. If I speak kindly to myself, it just helps me be softer in how I show up for others. My goal is to limit negative self-thought in general, if you’re with me and I talk poorly of myself, call me out. Kindly, of course, but please call me out. Make me show up for myself.
That’s it. My word of the year. Hold me to it and walk alongside with me.
What’s your word this year?
