Reveal to Claim: My Word of the Year Journey

Earlier this week, roll back to Tuesday, I shared that I’ve been stuck choosing my Word of the Year for 2026.
Not because I did, or did not, have a bevvy of ones to choose from—but because the weight of the right word matters to me, because it really, really works.

These 5 are the ones I’ve been circling:

1. Reveal: Seeing myself clearly, first, where I am, and want to go.
   Revealing the parts I avoid. The patterns I soften or sidestep. The work I keep refining instead of releasing. There’s growth in naming what’s actually happening.
2. Uncomfortable: The friction that comes with change.
   Powerful in theory, but anything that starts with un- feels stuck, and that’s something I don’t want to be. So it hovered for a bit, then fell off.
3. Own: Taking and owning what’s mine without the self judgement or sabotage.
   This word feels steady. It asks me to stop hiding. Pushes me out and into the scary wild world. But if not now, then when, bitch?
4. Claim: Standing in what’s already mine.
   Not discovering. Not perfecting. Just deciding. This one feels less reflective and more… final. I get it; I feel it; I’m vibing with it; and it also gives me the shivers.
5. Purposeful: Chasing the people and opportunities that actually move my passion projects forward.
   Less accidental luck, more of an intentional reach out with a “yes, please!” response and energy. Feels hella ambitious… definitely terrifying… but I guess that’s the whole point, right?

A friend recently said something that stuck with me:

You already know who you are. You don’t need to reveal it, you need to claim it. And once you do, you can actually own what comes with it.

KWL

Umm… OK, Babe! Lovin’ the thought process!

Backstory: A few years ago, this same friend was the one who introduced me to the idea of choosing a Word of the Year—and it’s stuck ever since.

Her text back to me reframed everything.

Maybe growth isn’t about uncovering something new.
Maybe it’s about stopping the endless negotiation with yourself.

I’m still sitting with it… but I’m closer now. And that’s a bloody good feeling.

Question!

If your Word of the Year had to guide how you show up, not just what you work on, what would it be?

If your Word of the Year wasn’t centered on feel-good vibes, not that there’s anything wrong about that—quite the opposite. But what if it had to guide how you show up, what would it be?

Or what would they be if you can’t yet narrow it down to just one?

Share your word for 2026, or options you’re considering. I’m almost locked into mine but can certainly be persuaded otherwise.