Inspiration
Self-care Express: Your Word of the Year
The month of January, named for the Roman god Janus who looks both forward and back, is a natural time for both review and planning. If you are new here, we’ve taken this occasion for the past few years to declare a Word of the Year for ourselves.
What is the point and power of this word? It’s a theme (oh! and if you have a theme, do you maybe want a theme song??) and a reminder, and a statement of intent.
If we keep our word in front of our eyes and our mind, it helps create the world we want to live in.
This year, before we forge ahead and choose our 2026 WOTY (if you already have, it’s all to the good), I suggest taking a look back. Especially if you’ve been doing this for a few years.
What do you see about the relationship of these Words to each other?
What’s the nature and structure of their relationship?
- Is it an oscillation? A pendulum swing?
- Is it a spiral? Do the words recapitulate one another?
- Do you see a deepening journey?
- Or is it an adventurous smorgasbord, fresh and new every time?
It goes without saying they’re all good! It just might be interesting to know something about your approach, so you can appreciate the wisdom in the way you’ve played with this little practice.
Another way to look back is to observe how these words influenced your world. A big word is a magic spell, after all, and as the magicians say, magic always produces results. Let’s note last year’s results (especially the successes!) before moving on.
In the comments below, tell us about your results from WOTY 2025, if you want. And of course, your WOTY 2026! We can’t wait to read them.
PS: I have a phrase this year: USE IT UP! We’ll talk about that soon.
Resources
In case you’re thinking of a knuckle tattoo and your WOTY has eight letters, generate your pattern here. Or if you’re not ready for ink, you can create the image, print it out, and post it on the fridge, which is what I’ve done.
For a deeper dive, here are previous WOTY discussions from 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Image credit: Woman in a Yellow Dress, Jules Chéret, c. 1900. Minneapolis Institute of Art. Used with permission.
My word of the year is COMPASSION
2025 was STRENGTH
2024 was FORGIVENESS
I like thinking about how they intersect.
My word is, “declutter”, which i had to shorten to, “DCLUTTER” to generate a tattoo. It turned out pretty cool and goes along with another WOTY, “FLOW”. THANX, I love your posts.
My 2026 word is “Savor”.
It’s time to go deep,slow down and take time to notice with the senses.
Last year was Balance.
One of the monks who is doing the Walk for Peace calmly told a reporter that we should aim to do one thing at a time. So much flows from that. So I’m going with FOCUS as my word of the year. It takes a ton of effort to do one thing at a time—and when I manage to focus, it feels so good, so peaceful, so simple.
I have had FOCUS before as a WOTY. This year I am choosing PRIORITIZE. Last year was two words, one for the first half and one for the second half: DISCIPLINE and OWNERSHIP. Honestly, I’m still working on all of them, but in the first week of January I had 3 reminders about priorities within 2 days, so I took it as a sign.
I tend to build upon the previous year’s word, as you can probably tell. It helps to stick little notes everywhere with my word, and I often do an artistic page in my bujo or my work notes with my word. (Or both!) (Somehow as I wrote that, STICK seemed a good word as well. As in, STICK to it, persevere, etc…)
LOVE this as a word of the year. Thank you!
I needed to hear this. Thank you.
2025 = gather
2026 = create
2026: RESTORE . . . a personal journey of sorts during a time of transition. Restore the joy, restore the focus, restore the curiosity . . .
My WOTY is ADVENTURE. This is my first year to select a word. In the past I would think about it and was never able to come up with a single word to describe my intent, this year ADVENTURE popped into my head and it feels so right.
A great word!
2025 = RAGE
2026 = COURAGE
(Totally using Margaret’s GREAT format! Kudos)
I’m building on last year’s WOTY because it served me very well. Controlled RAGE applied with reason & compassion helped me to encouRAGE others into 1st-step actions (on SO many levels).
This year, COURAGE is needed (on SO many levels) and it’s definitely built on/from last year’s WOTY.
You might be interested in one of the workshops inspired by Bishop Mariann Budde’s book How We Learn to be Brave. The book is good, and so is the workshop if you can get a spot. https://mariannbudde.substack.com/p/be-brave-together?utm_source=%2Fbrowse%2Ffaith&utm_medium=reader2
I’ve never chosen a word but maybe this year needs one.
I think this year is going to take every tool in the box. Mine is COURAGE. Courage to persist regardless of what’s thrown at us. I’m not shutting up or shutting down.
Honestly I have never done this. However after listening to a brief podcast I found myself pondering a word – what would it be as I consider retirement this year. All the words that initially came to mind were “action” oriented like “transform.” Then after further contemplation STILL or STILLNESS sat on my shoulder and quietly gazed at me.
My word this year is LISTEN. It’s hard to do, but I need to learn from it.
While planning my seed order for this year, I picked PURPLE as a theme for the garden. I don’t see why this can’t also be a WOTY. I am picking a color for my clothes each month. This month it’s black, gray and brown, but in February it will be purple. Not sure after that. Some purple ink for drawing would be good. Rather than a moral direction, mine is an aesthetic direction.
I like this idea. I’ve never done a color theme for my garden. Might be a bit harder with my vegetable garden but I could still choose a main color.
This reminds me of my favorite book: «When I’m an old Woman, I shall Wear Purple «. I love your word.
This is my first year choosing a word—RENEWAL. 2025 was a year of huge stress and change in my life. Some good, some very challenging. As things resolved toward the end of the year, I realized I’ve been living on adrenaline for months. This year I need to renew my health and energy, renew my creativity, and focus on my relationships.
After a fair amount of thought I decided My WOTY is contentment. This word takes a lot of the outside noise out of your head. Gratitude , harmony and inner peace.
My word of the year is GODSGIFT. The older I get the more I realize each day is a true gift so don’t waste it and be thankful!
I’ve got a few swirling in my head. Will be back with a WOTY when I’ve pondered my options a bit more.
Perhaps because I was just reading the news (Minneapolis!?) my word is Resolute. I have to stand firm for what I believe in and what I believe our country should and could be.
Right on sister!
I haven’t done this before, but my word is FINISH. I am a great starter, but a poor finisher. There is always some new, shiny project begging to be started. Currently, two pairs of socks on needles, one shawl, one sweater that needs a yoke, and I just signed up for Bang Out a Sweater! And that doesn’t count the unfinished quilts!
I haven’t done this before, but I love it! My word this year is CHANGE. Things will be changing around me and I hope for CHANGE in the larger world.
Courage
Declutter. I just retired. I need to ‘clean house’ mentally, emotionally and literally. It’s going to be a great year!
I was just thinking the same thing! I’m going to use the phrase “clean house…” as you said mentally, emotionally, and in my case physically!
My 2026 word is LUCKY as defined by Nathan Fillion. 2025 was True as in To thine own self be true. I have 10 years of words lined up and building on each other
Max, I always love, love your posts. You speak to my heart. I had a total knee replacement surgery last July and on Monday had my other knee replaced so my word this year is WALK. It seems simple, almost everyone does it, yet it has profound significance for me. For two years, I have been struggling to walk as both knees were bone on bone, no cartilage left. During that time, I have dreamed of walking and walking and walking. I’m almost there and that is how I will spend my time in 2026. Savoring the simple act of walking.
Good luck! You won’t regret it. I had both of mine done in 2011 and 2013. I’ve never regretted it. Next is my shoulder, hopefully I’ll be able to return to knitting like I used to.
This is my first time to choose, and the word I keep landing on is RESILIENCE. Then I looked at last year’s post about that being triggering. I hope this reasoning isn’t: I’m feeling like life and my reaction to it is becoming very brittle, and I would prefer to not break. I’m not looking at it as being knocked down and bouncing back up with a smile.
I have pondered but never officially chosen a word. This year, I am: BRAVERY.
My word of the year is stewardship. I like the reminder to pay attention and take deep care of the people and spaces around me.
Gave up on resolutions years ago but think WOTY sounds like a much better idea.
Given what is currently going on with our government (or rather lack of) my word is RESIST.
Mine too.
My word for this year is PADDLE. I’ve been reading Oliver Burkeman’s “Meditations for Mortals,” and his kayaking metaphor really speaks to me. Paddling = making small changes, doing whatever needs to be done right now, not worrying too far ahead. One rapid at a time in this river we’re living in.
Thank you, this speaks to me right now. I was struggling to come up with a word.
So glad! I wish you the best of years…
Had I chosen a word last year it would have been Grieve as my husband had died in November. My word for this year is NO, as I will no longer be cajoled into doing anything not of my own choosing. No longer will I belong to an organization just because it is a really good organization and does a lot of good. No longer will I be voluntold to do something just because “someone has to do it.” No longer will I enter into any relationship and hope for the best. It is time for me to be my own best self regardless of who others think I should be.
My WOTY is pause. Think, breathe, consider, allow space before responding with words and deeds. We only have this one moment; I am going to try and hold it lightly and honor this life and this world. Thank you, Max!
This year is unlike any other year as I broke my Right ankle last Monday,had surgery and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility today. My rescue dog is my constant companion and my neighbors have stepped up to care for her.I’m beyond Grateful
My phrase of the year for the past couple of years has been ‘Progress not perfection’. This year ‘Persevere’ is speaking to me. Yes, I think they are related. I just need the reminder to keep moving forward, despite everything happening in my life.
My word/phrase of the year this year is MAKE IT EASIER. I love it. It’s kind and powerful. Last year I had KATARTIZEIN (to mend, make, repair, to put things, words, worlds in order). The year before that GRACE AND CALM. The year before that FOLLOW THROUGH and the one before that, the first year I tried this, FLOURISH. They’ve all been pure magic and continue to resonate within me with as time flows on. Good friends and helpful, life changing guides.
I too have chosen Resilience as my word of the year. Last year was tough. The chaos continues this year at work and beyond.
Previous WOTY: focus, fun and create
My WOTY is Momentum.
Keep moving, keep changing, drive progress and drive improvement (in me, in my kids, in the world around me). All positive energy. This is the year of the horse!
Last year: Curiouser
This year: Masterclass
My WOTY is “Spicy”. I used to be assertive. In an effort to be peaceful over the last several years, I fell into passivity. Time for that to stop! Stating my opinions, suggesting activities, and simply taking action has already made me feel better and has helped my marital relationship. My spouse is not a mind reader, plus he is relieved to have some decisions taken off of his shoulders.
My word is positivity. 2025 had way too much negativity!
GRATITUDE… I have so much to be grateful for
My word of the year is ACCEPTANCE.
My WotY is LIGHTEN, in its various meanings. Lighten my load of possessions, resentments, and negativity. Lighten the darkness and despair.
Highly recommend this practice.
2024 – patience
2025- persistent
2026 – thrive
Had my 80th birthday, so I want to finish thriving not slowing down or quitting.
Highly recommend this practice.
2024 – patience
2025- persistent
2026 – thrive
Had my 80th birthday, so I want to finish thriving not slowing down or quitting.
Did this for the first time last year and it was SO helpful!
2025 – COMPLETION
Several decades old knits, needlepoint and quilt projects were completed to great satisfaction. Others were jettisoned as it was apparent I would never finish them.
I made an exception for the Bang Out A Sweater class but otherwise really kept to the theme and started nothing “new”.
So satisfying and several friends (and hubby) have asked what is this year’s word!
FOCUS – giving some important things a priority: in my mind as well as my calendar. Excited and hopeful I’ll have as much success this year.
I’ve never chosen a word before but as I was reading through the comments, NOURISH popped into my head. It mainly relates to me and recognising that I can’t suppprt anyone else if I’m not OK – you can’t pour from an empty cup etc. In the first days of January, I’ve been focusing on making sure I have what I need to be able to cope with the current stress in my life, whether that be counselling, medication, exercise and I’d like that to continue. If it turns out I need less of that, then I can NOURISH others.
2025-ART
2026-GENTLE and SIMPLE
Hi – I so enjoy these conversations!
My word is “shine.” I’m turning 70 this year & sometimes I feel that not fun feeling that so many people talk about, nobody sees me. Rather then get bummed by that I’m going to smile more & remember that stars shine because they’re stars! I’m a well read, kind & fabulous knitting human being. And I have a great sense of humor. So I plan to smile & laugh a lot, even if nobody notices.
Much love!!! S