Thursday, January 1, 2026

Welcome to 2026!

 
For the past couple of years, instead of making resolutions, I've been coming up with a word...kind of a theme for myself to focus on for the upcoming year. I always write down several words and then choose the one that 'speaks' the most to me. 

This year I considered Mindful and Intentional, because those are two words I have already been focusing on in my life. I also want to continue to put Gladness and Gratitude in my everydays. I even thought about going with a fun word like Sparkle or Whimsy. But in the end, the word that resonated most was

LEAP!

I tend to overanalyze decisions, hesitate, and put things off; and I end up feeling frozen, and stuck. And I don't want to do that any more. I don't want to procrastinate life or get paralyzed by 'what ifs'. And I don't want to regret not doing the things I really want to do. So this year, I'm going to take that leap, embrace the adventure, risk failing, try new things, and not be afraid to live out loud. Even in very small ways. 

What are you hoping for in 2026? 
My wish is that it's a good year for all of us!

 
Happy New Year!

60 comments:

  1. Happy New Year! My hope is for peace in Ukraine. It's about time!

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    1. Peace would be amazing! I pray for that, too.

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  2. Happy New Year, Lark. My thoughts for 2026 are similar to yours. I'd like to be braver when it comes to getting out more and going places, especially driving myself or going off on holiday. Life is short.

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    1. Life is short. And those moments we miss or let pass us by just leads to regret later...and I don't want any more regret in my life. Here's hoping for a wonderful year full of brave adventures and lots of laughter and joy for both of us! :D

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  3. Happy New Year! Leap sounds like a great word for the upcoming year.

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    1. It's a good word to frame my outlook on life this year. Or what I want my outlook to be. Because I am very much a work in progress.

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  4. I know that bad habit of indecision and unable to do what you want. I also hope I can do better. I like to take a leap even in a tiny step kind of way. I hope you have a great new year.

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    1. Tiny steps are the best way to change the big things in life. I take a lot of tiny steps all the time. :D

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  5. Lark, I love this post! Happy New Year friend :) Your choice of word is terrific - I feel like that is something I need to focus on, which is no longer procrastinating on life. Thank you!!

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    1. I don't want to feel frozen or stuck any more. Or to procrastinate doing all the things I want to do. So I'm leaping! (I hope.) ;D

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  6. Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to doing more travel this year.

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    1. Travel is SO much fun. Can't wait to hear about some of the fun places you choose to go. :D

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  7. Happy New Year, dear Lark! Hope it's one where you will 'leap' - love the word. Mine is 'persevere' and it's one that resonates with me. I've used it in the past and I intend to 'stick' with it this year. Will look forward to what you share about your reading and your life. Take care and big hugs!

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    1. Love your word! To persevere is so important in every aspect of life. Especially in the fun and faithful things. Thanks for the hugs! :D

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  8. Happy New Year! I love your word for the year.

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    1. Thank you. It's how I want to frame my choices this year. To stop being afraid, to stop holding back and hesitating, and to just leap. :D

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  9. "Leap" is a wonderful intention for 2026! It's something I could benefit from keeping on mind as well. I think we all have a tendency toward caution, which can be a healthy thing, but too much can stop us from experiencing new things and venturing outside our comfort zones. Good luck! Wishing you a very happy new year!

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    1. :D Thank you, Lisa! And I've definitely been on the wrong side of caution in my life. I'd like to switch it around this year.

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  10. I like your word. It's one that I could probably benefit from adopting myself. I probably spend more time than is warranted in contemplating before (rather than) acting.

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    1. And doesn't it make you tired? I don't want to overthink and fret and worry about everything...I just want to leap this year. :D

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  11. Oh yes, leap! I am an overplanner and sometimes it is nice just to jump in...as I am planning to do today with my first powerpump class...wish me luck!

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    1. I do wish you luck! It sounds like a great way to leap into the new year. ;D

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  12. Happy New Year! I love the word Leap, it's not one I've seen used before as word of the year. You can do it!

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    1. Fingers crossed. It felt like the word for me and the mindset I'd like to have throughout this year. :D

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  13. Happy New Year! I tend to get stuck and over think things and may need to adopt your word this year as well.

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    1. It's the word that resonated the most with me...probably because I need it the most in my life right now. ;D

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  14. I'm hoping for a good year for everyone too.

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  15. Leap! is an exciting and unique word for the year. After seeing Kay's post, I was motivated to pick a word to concentrate on... and I mentioned that I wanted to be more mindful in my comments there. So I thought about some options and came back to Mindful, which is one you mentioned. I haven't done this before; it will be interesting.

    Have a good New Year.

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    1. Mindful is a great one word resolution! I've used it before and still want to put mindfulness into my year this year. :D

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  16. I really like your word, leap, for the new year. I too procrastinate and put things off. But having leap in our thoughts each day in 2026 gives us courage. I am definitely going to try that and Happy New Year!

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    1. I'm the queen of hesitation and I don't want to be any more. Here's to leaping in 2026 and being more brave and adventurous and having more fun. :D

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  17. Happy New Year! Picking a theme word for the year is fun. I don't find myself making resolutions, because then I get stuck in a sort of "this is what I'm doing this year" mindset. I like to leave myself open to changing or trying new things without getting bogged down. Leap is such a fun word to put into your new year!

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    1. Being open to changing and trying new things is the mindset I'm hoping for this year, too. Hence the word Leap. :D

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  18. Happy New Year! Leap is a great thought and I should do more of it myself!

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  19. Leap - that's a lovely goal-wish for 2026! Mine is to "integrate" all that I have learnt in the past 1 year. Wish you a very happy new year!!
    ~ Lex (lexlingua.co)

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    1. Good word! I wish you luck with all that you do in 2026! :D

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  20. I hope for peace in the world though the latest news don't sound promising :(
    But I wish you a very, very happy new year.

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  21. I love this, Lark! I hope 2026 gives you plenty of opportunities to LEAP. Happy New Year!

    PS: I just realized I wasn't officially following you, but I am now. :)

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    1. Thanks for following my blog! And for all your comments. :D

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  22. Coming from a family of overthinkers, I like choosing the word Leap as a way of embracing what life is offering.

    For me, I am choosing the word Present. I want to be present in all that I do--not skimming or daydreaming or multi-tasking, but being present for myself and my family and friends.

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    1. Ooh...that's a good word! I've been working on being more mindful in my own life the past year, and it's something I'm still working on everyday.

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  23. Happy New Year! I love that word! I haven’t come up with mine yet, but I definitely want to have more adventures this year.

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    1. More adventures would be good! Happy new year. :D

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  24. Happy New Year, Lark! I love that! I tend to overanalyze things too, so leap is a great word! :D

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    1. It's the word that immediately resonated with me when I thought of it. I feel like it's what I need in my life right now. :D

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  25. Happy New Year, Lark! Leap is a great word for 2026. Yes, things that you didn't do or haven't experienced can be the greatest regrets. I would love to tackle more new things well. :)

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    1. Wishing you lots of lovely surprises and happy things in 2026. :D

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  26. Happy new year!
    I just never make ones ;)

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  27. Love this! I am going a different route this year, reading a book that has 52 words, one for each week. We'll see how it goes, and if I stick with it or not ;)!

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    1. Sounds great, Cindy. Maybe I should do that. What's the title of the book? ;)

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    2. You've definitely got me curious!

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