Trade Resolutions for #OneWord This Year

Let’s be real: New Year’s resolutions setup you up for failure.

• 23% of individuals quit their resolutions within the first week.
• 43% give up by the end of January.
• After six months, about 40% of people stick to their resolutions, but this drops to 19% after two years.

We’ve all been there—setting goals that are way too ambitious, lacking a concrete plan, or just losing that initial spark of motivation by mid-January. Sometimes we fail because we aren’t flexible enough, or we just don’t have the support system to keep us going. It’s a lot of pressure!

For the past few years, I’ve ditched the “pass/fail” stress of resolutions for something much more impactful: a Word of the Year.

The theory is simple but it’s a pretty profound shift in mindset. Instead of a list of chores, you identify a single guiding word (#OneWord) that points toward the person you want to become. And the best part? Unlike a resolution, a single word can’t be broken. It’s not a rule; it’s a compass.

Finding Your North Star
If you’re wondering how to pick just one, think about this: what is the one thing that, if applied to every single area of your life, would have the biggest impact? What would bring the most positive change to your health, your work, and your spirit? Once you find it, you work to apply that word to every situation and task you find yourself in.

In the past, my heart needed words like joy, radiant, strong, and beauty. But this year? I’m going for something that feels like a solid foundation.

My 2026 Word: Consistency
I’ve always loved that Aristotle quote: “We are what we repeatedly do.” As a creative, I tend to thrive on spontaneity, but I’ve realized that I’ve been using “being spontaneous” as an excuse to avoid the discipline I need to actually reach my career goals. (And I have a really steep career goal!) This year, Consistency is my value. It’s about creating habits that better my life spiritually, physically, and mentally.

I’m not trying to turn into a robot or lose my creative edge. I’m just realizing that consistency is actually the ultimate form of self-care and respect for my profession and others. I want to be more consistent in:

• Nurturing my connections: I want to be the person who reaches out regularly, not just when I happen to see a post on social media that reminds me.
• My Career: I have big dreams, and I’ve learned that spontaneity gets the project started, but consistency is what gets it across the finish line. I’m finding a rhythm that supports my creative bursts rather than letting them flame out.
• The “Triple Threat” of Wellness: I’m working to create habits that better my life spiritually, physically, and mentally. It’s about showing up for that morning meditation or that daily walk even when I’m not “in the mood.”

Consistency, to me, is a high-level value. It’s about building a foundation so sturdy that my creativity actually has a safe place to land and grow. It’s about showing up for myself and for the people I love, day in and day out.

Keeping the Spark Alive
The trick to making this work is keeping that word front and center so it can actually inform your choices. You can’t let it get buried under the busyness of life! Here is how I’m keeping Consistency prominent this year:

• The Digital Nudge: I’ve turned my word into my phone wallpaper. Since I check the time (and my notifications) constantly, it’s always there.
• The Visuals: I love getting creative with this part! I’m pinning quotes and artwork about consistency above my desk and keeping it written on my whiteboard where I track the habits that are actually working.
• The Deep Dive: My reading list and podcast queue for the year are going to revolve around my word. I want to see how other people interpret and apply it so I can keep finding new ways to grow.
• The Touchstone: I even have it on a bracelet. It’s a physical reminder to stay the course.

I truly believe that focusing on one word simplifies the path to a better version of ourselves. It’s less about “doing more” and more about “being more.”

I’d love to hear from you! What is your One Word for 2026? Drop it in the comments and tell me why it’s the one for you.

If you’re facing a challenge that needs a bit of outside perspective and you’d like a private consult, please reach out to me at cara@flowerpotholistic.com. I’d love to help you find your rhythm.