Many years ago, I was introduced to the idea of selecting a single word for each calendar year to act as an intention, touchstone, and big-picture goal. Sometimes the word selection is something we wish to cultivate. Sometimes, it is a gift we give ourselves for the coming year. Sometimes it is an anchor, sometimes an aspiration. The beauty of a single word intention is that the simplicity means multiple ways of connecting are possible.
For example, my word for 2024 was “Choice.” I was trying to be more intentional about what I committed to and where I put my energy and focus. As in many years of One Word practice, my word played out in ways I could not have predicted. I developed significant problems with uterine fibroids in spring necessitating a hysterectomy. “Choice” is a powerful word when you only have about four hours of function during the day. I had to prioritize, conserve energy, and find new ways to meet the obligations I could keep. I had to choose rest and to center the needs of my body. I had to ask for help, and trust the people around me. I learned a lot that year.
My word for 2025 was “Joy.” I knew the ugliness, hatred, and bigotry of the current administration would deliver many blows to me and mine (and they did). I chose to focus on giving myself a gift for the year – a blessing I could offer to help make life brighter and more hopeful. An intention for the hard days that also served as a way to build resilience. “Joy” was the perfect intention: a way to dance in the rain, find moments of ecstasy and satisfaction, and turn those moments into fuel. I did find joy, and packed that feeling into my bones so that I could then stand firmly on the days when it felt like the world was ending.
This upcoming year, 2026, is rolling in with an ugly tide here in the United States. The worst of us and his supporters remain in office and continuing assaults on human rights and the rule of law are a near-daily occurrence. The despot our undereducated populace elected will continue to bring out the absolute worst in the structures of power in this country. His cult-like following in our governing bodies is empowering those whose bigotry and hatred form their policy decisions. Along with the corruption of the highest office in the land, the longstanding issues our country wrestles with remain as well: our cops continue to systematically oppress and assault black, indigenous, and people of color on a daily basis. The accelerating climate crisis is worsening. Horrific wars and famines are playing out as I write this. It is a dark time.
On the micro level, I have one book coming out in the spring, another manuscript in that same publisher’s hands, and I’m wrapping up work on a third for a different publisher. I am excited to attend the events on my calendar this year. My own Pagan community continues to grow, with wonderful new leaders and teachers grabbing the torch and running with it. Kindred Crow is returning to the studio to record the music we’ve written lately. There is hope amidst the chaos, new growth below the muddling haze of life in these United States.
As I began to contemplate words for 2026, I considered what I’d learned from 2025. The truth is, this past year I bit off more than I could chew in a big way. I rolled into December absolutely exhausted with my inspiration tank almost empty. I’m still going slowly, gently recovering vitality and connection after a year of intense creation, service, and event organizing. I don’t regret any of my choices – 2025 was incredible. But I’m fried, and want to be more intentional about managing my energy and time this year. I know I cannot continue at the pace I set last year without serious consequences.
That line of thinking influenced my ruminations. If I could give myself a gift for 2026, what would it be? What blessing could I offer myself to help shift my wyrd toward a more balanced relationship with my own life? What intention could help temper my “helium hand” volunteerism tendencies?
A few rounds of mucking about with a thesaurus later, I’ve settled on my choice:
Deliberate.
My word for 2026 is ‘“Deliberate.” And, I’m using both pronunciations and definitions: /dəˈlibəˌrāt/ – to engage in long and careful consideration AND /dəˈlib(ə)rət/ – to do something consciously and intentionally.
It is my hope that careful deliberation, and then deliberate action will help me sift through the many needs that find their way to my desk. I want to make the very best use of my available time and vitality, a challenge when there is simply so much that screams to be done in this aching world. I think of my tendency to be a “helper human” as a good one, but it must be paired with more care if I am to continue to help in a meaningful way.
Things I think Deliberate will look like when it is self-directed:
- Choosing and making time for activities that replenish my energy
- Taking time to respond when different asks are made of me
- Thinking through the potential consequences of my responsibilities (including recovery time) and planning for them
- Prioritizing my mental and physical health for stability and resilience
- Parenting myself through my impulsive moments and bouts of excitement
- Spending more time on spiritual practices that align me to my Gods and Allies so I can discern the best path forward
Things I think Deliberate will look like when it is outwardly-directed:
- Mindfully continuing to create, support, and otherwise hold spaces for others to connect with community
- Using my role as a writer, teacher, and community organizer to shore up and strengthen the various groups, circles, and communities I come into contact with
- Prioritizing quality rather than quantity when it comes to my presence and work in community
- Modeling boundary setting and intentional commitment
- Being a stable, reliable voice for the world we are building
- Holding the lantern of Pagan spirituality steadily for all who need it
There are a lot of ways to anchor an intention in everyday surroundings.
Find an image containing your word, or that reminds you of your word, and set it as the background on your phone, tablet, or console.
Display your word. Write your word on a sticky note and stick it to your desk. Or, go one step more elaborate and build an entire vision board. There’s not a ton of useful stuff that’s going to happen between now and January first. Break out some old magazines, glue sticks, and scissors and make a big self-care mess. Arts and crafts will be a better use of your time than most stuff right now.
Build a playlist. I have one that I created for my “Courageous” year that I still listen to when I need to be brave.
Write an affirmation. Those of you who have studied with me personally have already most likely experienced my affirmation lecture, probably more than once. I’ll TL:DR it for you: self-talk matters. Say nice things instead of shitty ones. Here’s my Deliberate affirmation:
“I am considering my choices carefully and moving forward with intention.”
Journal. Write about your word. Think about what actions will support it and write those down too. Revisit that journal entry from time to time to help hang onto the thread on hard days.
Set some check-ins. Put a calendar notification in your device for two weeks from now, a month from now, three months from now, or even further out to check in with how you’re supporting your intention. Remember, we all fall off the wagon sometimes. Resilience is the ability to dust off and climb back on.
So, what’s the word?
Your word?
Hit me up in the comments. Let’s figure out what we most need to carry with us into a new calendar year.
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