I’m Not Revealing Myself in 2026, I’m Claiming It

I’ve got it! It’s locked in, loaded, and ready to go. My word for 2026 is CLAIM.

Behold and absorb the visual of me breathing a giddy sigh of relief.

I flirted with some other real-deal contenders.

• Reveal
• Own
• Anchor

But claim landed like a slap to the face that I soothed into sticking, and a friend helped me see why.

Reveal wasn’t strong enough. For me, anyway.

I didn’t need to show who I am. I already know. This year is about claiming it. Phase two of who the heck knows.

Claiming the work I’ve been doing quietly.
Claiming the parts of myself I held back while waiting to feel comfortable.
Claiming forward movement even when it feels wobbly, unfinished, and at times impossible.

Reveal gave hairy scary vibes. Like putting something out before it’s ready. The something being me. Like publishing while still heavily doubting.

Claim felt, and still feels, like me.
Different, but still me.
Steadier.
Less dramatic.

And I’m known to be a smidge dramatic.

Claim grounded me a little more

Claim says progress counts even when it’s quiet, and to stop shrinking what I’ve already done. Time to face it and claim it. How many times have I said, claim, already? That’s how much I’m digging it!

My 2025 word of the year, COMPLETE,straddled two years, but it was worth it.
Claim will not be abandoned halfway through the year or dragged into 2027. Fingers, toes, and everything crossed!

Time to claim what’s mine and carry it forward. Kicking its arse across the finish line if need be.

How about you?

Still deciding between two or three?
You still have time.
It has to be right for you, so don’t rush it.

It will land when it’s ready.
Just don’t give up.

What was your word of the year pick for 2026, and why?