"Presence" | My Word for 2026

There’s nothing like turning 40 to inspire some extra time in self-reflection. In the days leading up to this milestone there were many moments of denial and a few tears before reaching a begrudging acceptance, but now that I’ve had a several weeks to settle into my new decade I find I’m embracing it wholeheartedly.

There is lots to love about it, not least of which is the fact that I’m no longer starting from square one. I have years of experiences under my belt now that have refined my values and priorities so that I can live with a tiny bit more wisdom and clarity. 

In short, I feel the most “myself” I’ve ever felt, and though I still have so much to learn, it feels like I’m doing it from a sturdier place than in my younger years.

So, during my early January reflections, I wanted to find a guiding word that was aligned with how I want and need to be formed in this fortieth year of life. 

The word that came felt stretching and a little bit vulnerable, which is why I knew it was the right one.

My word this year is: presence.

I’ve been increasingly convicted of my tendency to stay in “auto-pilot,” where I can keep things moving along but in a way that’s somewhat disengaged. Too easily I go from task to task, staying productive but a little bit numb, with my mind constantly thinking about the next thing. As a result, I maintain a fairly calm and even baseline, but at the cost of becoming hardened and not fully there to notice the moments of joy and beauty around me.

There are so many reasons I could name for why this has become more pronounced lately. My personality type has always lent itself to the tendency to disengage, especially in times of stress and fatigue, both of which have been had in full measure during these adorable but intense early years as parents. 

And I think as the years go by, it can be easy to allow the many tasks and responsibilities of adulthood to become all that we give our energies to, staying at the surface to keep things afloat while our souls become increasingly neglected.

It seems to me that joy and presence go hand in hand, and that being truly present to my daily life and those around me is how I tend to my own soul while also loving others best.

I think my “Ode to Joy” collection this past year came from my need to be reminded of moments from my past where I experienced the joy of true presence, and a gentle nudge from my soul to wake up to the many beautiful moments that are right there in front of me each day.

Wilomene, in her toddler wisdom, is a master of presence, and has taught me so much about this already. For better or worse, she is truly always in the moment, fascinated by the feel of rocks in her hands, delighted by the crunch of leaves under her feet, completely absorbed placing every crayon back in the box.

In my 40th year, I hope to grow in my ability to choose engagement over distraction, to have eyes that notice wonder, to be enamored every day with the life I’ve been given, in it’s beauty and it’s hardships, to take my time.

In the words of G.K. Chesterton:

"The important thing in life is not to keep a steady system of pleasure and composure (which can be done quite well by hardening one’s heart or thickening one’s head), but to keep alive in oneself the immortal power of astonishment and laughter, and a kind of young reverence.”

If you have a guiding word this year, I would love to hear it! Please do hit reply if you'd like someone to share it with. :) 

May your year ahead be one of growth, creativity, and wonder. I look forward to walking through it with you.