Word of the Year

Happy New Year! 

If you know me at all, you know I love the New Year. I love the feeling of a clean slate. A fresh start. New goals. New ideas. A refreshed mindset. There is just something so hopeful and energizing about this time of year—and honestly, what is not to love?!

But this New Year feels different.

This year doesn’t feel like a restart.

It feels like a continuation.

Usually, I end the year a little tired… maybe even defeated. Looking back at all the things I didn’t accomplish. Rewriting the same goals. Promising myself next year will be different.

Not this time.

I ended 2025 strong—stronger than I ever have before. Already in motion. Already aligned. Already full of energy, confidence, and really good vibes. Instead of dragging myself into January, I’m rolling right into 2026 full steam ahead.

And honestly? I surprised myself.

I had a lot of goals last year—and I knocked them out of the park. Because of that, I had to pause before making my 2026 list. I wasn’t rewriting old dreams this time. I was creating new ones.

Bigger ones.

Braver ones.

More me ones.

I spent time getting clear on what I want this year to look like—not just what I want to do, but who I want to be. How I want to feel. How I want my days to flow. What kind of energy I want to bring into my life, my relationships, and this little corner of the internet.

And then came the word.

Or in my case… the words.

Choosing a word of the year is usually hard for me. I overthink it. I second-guess it. I try to make it fit neatly into a box.

But this year?

This year is different.

This year, I want what I’ve never wanted before.

I want to do things I’ve never done.

See things I’ve never seen.

Make choices I’ve never dared to make.

I want to be wildly in love with my life.

I want to be happier than I’ve ever been.

I want to trust myself—and trust the journey—even when there’s no map.

I want freedom.

I want sunshine.

I want joy.

Not the planned, polished, perfectly timed kind of joy—but the kind that finds you when you step into the unknown.

So my word of the year is:

Uncharted Joy

This isn’t just a phrase.

It’s a direction.

It’s my way of moving through 2026 with curiosity instead of fear. With trust instead of control. With grace instead of pressure. It’s choosing growth even when it feels uncomfortable. Choosing joy even when it feels unfamiliar.

This is my year of growth.

My year to flourish.

My year of building—dreams, confidence, habits, and a life that feels really, really good.

And this year, I’m giving myself permission to just be.

To be real.

To be imperfect.

To be bold.

To be soft.

To be brave.

To be full of grit, grace, and really good vibes.

I can’t wait to see where Uncharted Joy leads me—and I hope you’ll come along for the journey.

So tell me…

What’s your word of the year?

A word? A phrase? A feeling?

However you choose it, may it guide you gently, boldly, and joyfully into 2026.

With grit grace and good vibes,

Mary Anne