While others were making New Year’s resolutions, I was deciding on my phrase for the year that I’d use as a touchstone for self-improvement. The advantages of honing down possibilities to just one include:
The exercise pushes me to reflect on areas that need improvement and then to prioritize one.
Working on one idea feels more doable than working on many resolutions.
Having only one thing to remember makes it more likely to come to mind in situations where I can put the idea to use.
So far, I’ve done this only on New Year’s. But I don’t have to wait for the ball to drop on Times Square to change my word or phrase if:
I master the goal quickly.
I don’t want to work on that goal right now.
A new goal takes priority.
January 1, 2024, I chose “letting go.” I’d always struggled with this, whether letting go of things, relationships, roles, beliefs, or hopes. Throughout the year, I could feel each small success strengthen my letting-go muscle.
On New Year’s 2025, I decided to choose “letting go” again because the ability to let go is key to finding happiness, especially as we age. While pleased with my progress, I wanted to build on that momentum and get better at it.
January 1, 2026, I felt ready to let go of “letting go.” For my new word, I chose:
celebrate
Every day, I will look for ways to celebrate, whether it is by saying or doing something to make a moment feel special or make a person feel special. What’s your word for 2026?
