Hello, dear friend,
We go again into the unknown, with a well-known God who makes it all possible.
I pray for you that you find everything you seek and the presence of mind to enjoy it, in this year.
Many of us get into the thought cycle of making plans and goals for the year, however I will encourage you to pause and review the last year on paper and then pick one thing from. Each section of your life to work on, over the next 3 months.
There’s a familiar feeling that settles in quietly, and it starts with a simple thought: “Another year is ending, then it grows into questions, expectations, and pressure we didn’t exactly invite. Questions like:
- What will be my goal for next year?
- What do I want to change about myself?
- What am I leaving behind?
Before we know it, we’re standing at the edge of a new year with a mental checklist—things to fix, habits to force, versions of ourselves we’re expected to become by January 1st.
And honestly? It can be exhausting, overwhelming, and discouraging. Someone invited me to join a vision board session, and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it; my heart wasn’t in it. Pause and check with yourself,
Over the years, many of us have learned this the hard way; resolutions often begin with excitement but end with guilt. Life happens. Motivation fades. Circumstances shift. And those neatly written plans slowly lose their shine.
- So what if 2026 didn’t ask you to reinvent yourself?
- What if it simply invited you to choose one word and walk with it, gently, through the year?
Resolutions can be full of power and strength, made under the influence of strong hormones or alcohol from the endless parties we attend at the end of the year.
A good approach is to slow down your end-of-year or beginning-of-year. Spend time with yourself or loved ones quietly and mindfully.
New Year plans come with numbers, deadlines, and rigid expectations. They tell us to do more, be more, achieve more—often without asking whether we’re already tired.
Miss a day, and it feels like failure. Fall off the plan, and shame sneaks in.
By February or March, many resolutions quietly disappear, leaving behind frustration and self-blame. The truth is, most of us don’t need more pressure. We need more understanding. More space. More grace.
That’s where choosing one word feels different.
Pick One Word
Choosing one word for the year isn’t about control. It’s about intention. Your word doesn’t demand perfection or constant progress. It simply offers direction and acts as an anchor when life’s turbulent waters come raging.
I observe this practice in religious settings, where people choose a theme for the year, and it’s a reassuring practice.
I have seen things like:
Year of Deliverance, Year of Dominion, Year of Manifestation, etc.
It will be foolish to despise what you don’t fully understand when you see these things. They help us believe in something that transcends situations and current circumstances and that positions us for victory.
Think about a word for yourself this year. What do you want to experience every single day? What do you want to start the day with? What do you want to share with your workspaces and private spaces?
Hold it, contemplate it, and put it where your eyes can see it, where you can step into it as you live life and hold on to it when the storms rage.
It becomes something you return to, especially when life feels messy or unclear.
It doesn’t ask, “Did you do enough today?”
It asks, “How do you want to show up?”
One word can quietly shape your mindset, your choices, your pace. It meets you where you are, not where you think you should be.
Listen to Your Heart, Not the Noise
This practice works best when it comes from honesty, not trends. I have put it to the test, and I can tell you, it works wonders.
Choosing your word means slowing down long enough to listen inward. Not to what the world expects, not to what looks impressive—but to what your heart actually needs.
You might ask yourself:
- What felt heavy the previous year?
- Where did I feel stretched, rushed, or depleted?
- What do I long for more of in my life right now?
Sometimes the word surprises you. Other times, it feels like something you’ve been craving without realizing it.
“To thine own self be true” is a quote by Socrates that I have held onto for over 20 years. The first time I heard it was in a lecture theatre with about 200 other aspiring medical doctors, hanging onto every word of our anatomy professor, who was welcoming us to the most profound journey of our lives
He urged us to be true to ourselves and create a path that would uniquely lead us to success in life and in our chosen field of study.
I do the same for you today. Think about YOU, the person that lives within, not the body, the spirit.
Maybe your word is Rest, because you’ve spent too long pushing past your limits and experiencing unending internal turbulence. Maybe it’s Clarity, because you’re tired of confusion and second-guessing yourself. Maybe it’s Trust, because you’re learning to loosen your grip on control; Or Consistency, because you want to show up in small ways without burning out.
These words aren’t goals to accomplish. There are ways to live. Live for a higher reason, beyond the current; live for the future, for the gifts that have been deposited in you, for the position your creator made you.
Living it Day by Day
You will find that once you meditate deeply on the meaning of this word and how it can show up in various sections of your life, you will see it everywhere, in ordinary moments. When you’re overwhelmed, it reminds you to pause.
When you’re making decisions, it helps you choose what aligns. When things don’t go as planned, it brings you back to intention instead of judgment.
Some days, you’ll live it well. Other days, you won’t—and that’s okay. Your word isn’t keeping score; it’s simply walking with you.
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Let it Grow With You
As the year unfolds, your understanding of your word may deepen. What it means in January might look different by July or November.
Growth changes us. Life stretches us. And your word has room to evolve alongside you.
This isn’t about becoming a perfect version of yourself. It’s about staying connected to what matters, even in the middle of ordinary, imperfect days. Words are seeds; water the reality you want to see actively.
Step Into 2026 With Grace
Choosing one word for 2026 is a quiet, compassionate choice.
- It says you’re allowed to move at your own pace.
- It says your life doesn’t need fixing—it needs intention.
- It says growth can be gentle and still be meaningful.
Maybe all you need is one word, one steady, heart-led reminder of how you want to live, breathe, and show up in 2026. And sometimes, that is more than enough.
Please, I urge you earnestly, don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t judge yourself or feel less because your goals aren’t moving as expected.
Embrace and honour all you’ve gathered, learnt, and mastered. Remember, your mind matters.
Until next time — stay warm, stay growing, stay loving, stay whole.
With love and light,
Amaka.
