As 2026 approaches, I am drawn to reflecting on everything that occurred in my life in 2025. When engaging in this process, I like to consider what has been working for me and what has not. One aspect of this, for me, is to reflect upon the intention I chose for the year and determine how that intention influenced how I lived my life. I prefer choosing an intention for a new year as opposed to making new year’s resolutions because I find them to be more flexible and all-encompassing. In that way, I’m more likely to stick with them and have more self-compassion when considering how my year played out. Setting an intention for the new year is a conscious way to keep your values at the forefront of your decision-making process throughout the year. I usually keep my intention to one single word or phrase to keep it simple and easy to remember. You may wonder – what’s the point of setting an intention? I find that when I choose an intention for the year, it guides my choices without rigid expectations of myself. Also, in reflecting on my past year, I recognize what has been absent or missing in my life and intentionally commit to incorporating more of that in the year to come. This keeps my values at the forefront through the passing of time. Resolutions can be more rigid, with high expectations, allowing less room for mistakes and setting us up for self-judgment. An intention for the year provides a mindful direction and allows for self-compassion and gentle course correction if we find ourselves diverging from the path as the year progresses. I also find that setting an intention for the year can serve as a grounding point and provide a focus during a year of growth.
When choosing a word for the new year, I find it very helpful to spend some intentional time reflecting on the year that is coming to a close. This can be completed in a single sitting or over the course of several days in shorter bursts of time. I usually create a cozy environment for myself to engage in the process. I light my fireplace, sit in the glow of the Christmas tree with a fragrant candle burning and a soft blanket on my lap and ponder the year I have just lived through. I usually write in my journal, using a pen I find satisfying as it glides across the paper. A warm cup of coffee or tea could increase the cozy vibes and encourage comfort and mindfulness throughout the reflection time. This process is not one that requires perfection. Instead, it is an intuitive experience that is best when approached with gentleness and patience.
First, you can begin reflecting by considering what’s calling you forward into the next year. Some questions to help with this include:
What do I quietly hope will feel different next year?
What am I craving more of emotionally, energetically, or creatively?
If my life had a “next chapter,” what would its tone be?
The sky is the limit here and dreaming is encouraged. Hopefully, these questions can be a springboard for you to consider all the possibilities of a new year.
The second part of this process is to reflect on the past year, essentially, looking back to look forward. Some questions to help with this include:
What felt heavy this past year that I’m ready to release?
What felt nourishing that I want to expand?
What did I learn about myself that I don’t want to lose?
As you can see, these questions are geared toward the past, with a hopeful eye toward the future.
Next, you can check in with your identity and values – making sure you’re connected to the ideas and principles that are most valuable to you throughout your year. Questions to engage in this include:
When I imagine my best self, which qualities stand out?
Which of my values has been under-expressed?
What do I want to be more connected with – my body, boundaries, creativity, rest, confidence, relationships, etc?
Examining what you expended your energy on in the past year can be a helpful way of planning for how you want to spend your energy in the year to come. Some questions to consider for this include:
What drained me this year, and what would the antidote feel like?
What kind of energy do I want to embody day-to-day
Which feeling do I want more access to in ordinary moments?
The last step in reflecting on your past year is to envision the year ahead. Consider what you want the future to hold. Some questions to guide you in this process include:
If 2026 had a chapter title, what would I want it to be?
What would make next year feel meaningful or successful on my terms?
What do I want future-me to thank present-me for choosing?
Now it’s time to set your intention for 2026. It’s helpful to think about how you want the year to feel as you determine your intention. Some questions to help with this include:
If my ideal year were a color, texture, or temperature, what would it be?
What word feels like emotional nourishment right now?
Which word brings a sense of exhale when I speak it aloud?
Which word keeps returning to me?
Which word feels like a gentle challenge?
Which word feels like home?
By this point, you may be feeling close to choosing an intention for 2026. Remember, there is no perfect intention. You can grow, shift, and evolve with your intention as the year progresses. I encourage you to revisit your intention throughout the year and assess if it still fits, if your goals or values have changed, and thoughtfully consider changing your intention if needed. Remember, we’re getting curious about what we want for the future, not holding ourselves to a rigid, unachievable standard. Below is a list of potential intentions that you can choose from, but remember the sky’s the limit and any intention will do!
Intention Ideas for 2026:
- Ease
- Soften
- Slow
- Rest
- Settle
- Unwind
- Rooted
- Steady
- Balance
- Secure
- Bloom
- Rise
- Expand
- Flourish
- Embody
- Become
- Imagine
- Play
- Inspire
- Flow
- Heal
- Renew
- Brave
- Rise
- Persist
- Belong
- Connect
- Cherish
- Direction
- Intend
- Purpose
- Presence
- Attune
- Pace
- Authentic
- Gentle
Whatever intention you set, I wish you a Happy New Year as you live intentionally into your values wherever life may take you.