Word of the Year-2026

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Miss JoDee

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I have decided to go with Explore. I want to do more outside the house. I have been letting DH make the call on what I want to do. I ask him if he wants to, and when he says no, I go along. After the holidays, I was blaming him for our reluctance to participate in holiday activities. He's a homebody and enjoys things at home, reading, music, and painting. That is okay with me. I want to experience life outside of our home. It is my own fault for not making my own plans. He does not care what I do; I just defer to him rather than say okay, but I am going.

I want to explore new friendships, new places, and new opportunities. I will choose at least 1 new activity a month. This month will be spent pampering and planning an activity with a friend next month.

This year, I am also dedicating more time to my Bible reading. I want to explore more by asking "why". This will give me more understanding of my faith to better my teaching.
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Jody, I love that word. I look forward to following along as you Explore.
 

luludou

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I've tried to get help from IA and gave it my 3 words... planning, adapting, transition and here's what it came up with (with a few tweaking from me)

Preparing gently, living fully:
Planning what comes next without putting life on hold, and allowing this season to be lived as it is.

I like the preparing gnetly part... and I know I might forget to live fully if I don't have a reminder!
 

happy2bme

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Preparing gently, living fully:
Planning what comes next without putting life on hold, and allowing this season to be lived as it is.

I like the preparing gnetly part... and I know I might forget to live fully if I don't have a reminder!
I love this!
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Preparing gently, living fully:
Planning what comes next without putting life on hold, and allowing this season to be lived as it is.
WOW! Sometimes I need the reminder to live for the now.
 

ChristmasPir8

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Some beautiful words and reasons. I use a version of AI for work but didn't think to use it for suggestions on my word. Did ot just now and got some helpful suggestions on a daily and weekly goal!
 

halimer

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I know women who do solo trips or sign up for group tours as a single traveler.
I don't have quite enough courage for that yet although I do go to the theater by myself.
 

Miss JoDee

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I don't have quite enough courage for that yet although I do go to the theater by myself.
Debbie, you and Annie were my inspiration to go with Explorer as my WOTY because you do things. I plan to do what I wish and invite whoever wants to come along. If I end up going alone, that will be okay.
 

halimer

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Debbie, you and Annie were my inspiration to go with Explorer as my WOTY because you do things. I
I will try and live up to your good opinion of me by doing more this year!
 

AnnieClaus

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halimer- I'm with you!
I will strive to make Jody proud! :)

I feel there is more I should do. Mostly travel..... Big trips. Europe, cruises.
Haven't quite gotten there yet. Mostly due to time and $$. I don't think I would go solo.
I would join a group. I did look up groups where they gather single people together to go.
Not to hook people up. Just to do the trip together.

There is a museum exhibit up in Phoenix- I am planning a solo day, maybe overnight, trip to see it.

Jody- One time I saw a h.s. friend post on fb, "Looking for women in the Reno area who want to attend such things as: lectures, musical events, theater, movies, dining experiences. No drama or gossip."
I admired she put that out there and got a group going!

And my book club started with one gal posting: I like books. I like brunch. Anyone want to do a book and brunch club?
If so, let me know. We just started our 3rd year.

Maybe some church ladies would like to join you.

Annie
 
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AnnieClaus

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So, last year my word was "Home." I feel I really embodied that word. I was home a lot! More than I had been in years and years (maybe ever).
It was wonderful and I want that to continue.
This year my word is "Manifest."
I don't know what happened but on Sunday alone my phone started going crazy.
All kinds of people asking me to do stuff with them.
A lady from church wants me to go to the Alvin Ailey show in Tucson.
A friend from Indiana coming in. Will I go up to Tucson for the night?
A cw asked me to go to a magic show. (Night of Opening Ceremonies- not going to happen!).
Then another friend messaged me- Do I want to play Bunko on Thursday.

I felt so overwhelmed! And then I thought, "My word isn't "home" anymore. Have the flood gates opened?!"

Just a crazy thought I had but I may add some element of home so I can continue to focus on being there.

Thoughts?!
 

Miss JoDee

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Maybe some church ladies would like to join you.
I am working on this. Today, I spoke with a friend from church and asked if she would be open to going to a movie if I texted her about a potential opportunity. Also, another church friend said she would go to plays with me. Now to find a movie and a play to attend. I am taking steps to make things happen.
 

AnnieClaus

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Jody- That's awesome!
Can't wait to see what you go and do.

Annie
 

Lana

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Jody, that would be nice to go out with different people. I don't really have anybody to go places with. Mom moved to Nashville 5 -6 yrs. ago and it is the opposite direction of where we shop majority of times and we use to always go together. My friends like us do stuff with husbands and none of my friends sew or find enjoyment with that stuff.
 

Holiday_Mom

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I felt so overwhelmed! And then I thought, "My word isn't "home" anymore. Have the flood gates opened?!"

Just a crazy thought I had but I may add some element of home so I can continue to focus on being there.

Thoughts?!

Annie, I went back to what you wrote earlier: I'm thinking, "Manifest." I have a very clear vision on what I want my life to look like. Work (including the kind of work I want to do), home, health. But there seems to be a block within me that keeps me from reaching the full vision.

Some things that came to my mind:
  • What does manifest mean?
  • Do you have your vision written down of what your home life would look like this year?
If you have answers to these questions, then maybe read your answers and see if those activities align with what you want your life to look like.

I guess I'm thinking that the word of the year is kind of like a mini mission statement. We use mission statements at church and work. It is a great way to check if what we are doing is in alignment with the mission statement. If it is not, then we can say no and move on.