My Word for the Year

I want to share my word for 2026 with you — not just as a concept, but as something I’m actively living into alongside you.

I’ve been sitting with this for a while now, letting it reveal itself instead of forcing a decision.

And the word that kept coming to me — quietly, — was gentle.

At first glance, gentle can sound soft… even passive.

But the longer I sat with it, the more I realized how powerful this word truly is.

Gentle is strong without force.

It’s care without urgency.

It’s intention without pressure.

For so many years, I’ve lived in “push through” mode — doing what needed to be done, holding it together, staying strong even when things were hard.

And while that strength has served me, I’m in a season now where something different is needed.

Gentle invites a new way of being.

Gentle asks:

What does my body, my mind, my heart need today — not what “should” I do?

Where can I stop overriding my innate signals and start responding with care?

And how can healing be supported instead of rushed?

Gentle reminds me that rest isn’t a reward — it’s part of the process.

It also changes how I relate to my mind.

Instead of motivating myself with pressure or self-criticism, gentle invites curiosity, compassion, and allowing “good enough” to actually be enough.

And maybe most surprisingly, gentle is a boundary word.

It naturally creates space for:

Fewer explanations

Softer no’s

Less over-giving

More self-respect

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Gentle doesn’t mean doing less — it means doing what matters in a way that sustains you.

Gentle success feels like:

Ease instead of urgency

Alignment instead of obligation

Flow instead of force

Trust instead of control

So this year, I’m letting gentle guide my choices with simple questions:

What’s the gentlest next step?

What would feel supportive right now?

Where am I pushing when I could soften?

I don’t believe this season is asking us to prove anything.

I think it’s inviting us to receive, trust, heal, and live —

with a softness that is wise, and deeply grounded.

If you were to choose gentle as your guide this year…

What might change for you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this or your word for the year.

Simply hit reply and share. Your thoughts are valuable to me.

With so much care,

Marcy