Every year, I choose a word that acts as my theme. Last year’s word was BUILD. It was divided into five categories of focus: build my speaking skills, build my business, build my body, build my bank account, and build up others.
I completed Stage Academy and 11 months (so far) of Marie Forleo’s B-school. I sent out weekly handwritten notes of encouragement to important people in my life. I explored additional income streams to create diversity.
Even with all the setbacks and challenges I experienced physically, I am proud to say that I am the physically strongest I’ve ever been in my life. In the past year, I increased my hip thrust from 180 lbs to 360 lbs, I’m repping out weighted pull-ups and chest dips with a 25-lb plate around my waist, and I increased my bench press to 145 lbs. These numbers mean nothing to others, but to me, they represent my consistency and dedication to progressively overload week after week, month after month. I’m incredibly proud of my progress.
Last year, instead of a single word, my friend Keely chose a color to symbolize the themes and energy she wanted to embody in 2025. I loved the playfulness of this piece of art she shared with me, with all the words that the color orange represented to her.
This year, I chose to do both. Pick a color and a word.
My 2026 color and word for the year.
In retrospect, the most intense and challenging chapters of my life have resulted in the most profound positive growth. Of course, when I was in the thick of huge transitions, life seemed overwhelming and difficult, but emerging from them, I was changed for the better. Growth requires patience. It’s often slow and done in the dark, but the blessings that emerge are beautiful and worthwhile. The color green evokes feelings of abundance, fertility, growth, wealth, and new beginnings.
The lemon leaves on the right side of this piece represent the sour and bitter moments I know I will need to endure, especially during my rehab and recovery period. But I hope they will be balanced out with the softness of the lamb’s ear leaves, and my ability to come back from this injury stronger/fitter/faster. Ivy represents the tenacity I’ll need to continue to climb and grow, clinging to the foundations I know I can rely on- my friends, family, and faith. Ferns symbolize a rich mixture of resilience, adaptation, new beginnings, and magic. All of which I welcome with open arms.
Do you have a word or a color for 2026?