2026 // Word Of The Year, Priority Shifts,& The Year Of "MORE"

In 2026 I am continuing habits that I started a few years ago, introducing some new ones, and working on strengthening priorities. I know that some things need to change, especially after what I walked through last year, and I very curious to see how my word for 2026 might play into that. It's kind of a strange word. 

Word Of The Year
We'll start with my word for 2026.

KINGDOM

Like I said, kind of strange. It first showed up in my Bible study and we had an interesting discussion on how a king needs his citizens. How the people make the kingdom. And then talking about us being citizens of God's kingdom. It was a good discussion but I didn't think too much of it. But then over the next week or two, "kingdom" seemed to be popping up. I was thinking of some other words and toying with which of them I wanted to focus on for 2026, but "kingdom" was insisting. 

All of my past words have been something that I felt like I need to work on or pay more attention to in my life. But how does "kingdom" fit that idea? I mean, sure, as a Christian I'm called to pay attention to the kingdom of God, but that's not a super concrete idea. I guess this year I'm gonna find out.

So far, I have a few verses, the main one being Matthew 6:33. That was actually what cemented it for me. I got my new planner for Christmas and what should be inside but a small note with that verse on it! I put it above my light switch for this year. 

Here is what I plan to focus on in 2026, with "KINGDOM" as my guide word:

• having a verse to work on every week
• using my prayer jars (more on that in another post)
• writing out Scripture
• having dedicated 30 minutes of no screen time to slow myself down
• doing more study on the Kingdom of God passages in Scripture
• take one photo each day
• write one gratitude each day

Priority Shifts
One of the books I read last year talked about the idea of making your list of nonnegotiable plans and then everything else you get asked to do you should be convinced as to why you should include it into your schedule. That was profound for me, as someone who often struggles with my calendar. 

I tweaked it a little bit  to fit my needs and I made a list of my priority people. These are the people that I want to have room for in my calendar. I want to go to their events and have spontaneous days and be around to help them. They get my time first is essentially what it is. After that, I can pick and choose what I do. There are lots of "good" things and I can't do them all. I'm hoping that this will help my calendar struggles and my times of overwhelm will be fewer and shorter. 

A Year Of "MORE"
I think I got this idea from Hannah Brencher. Most people seem to make goals or resolutions that deal with "less". Maybe it's less screen time, spending less money, eating less junk food... stuff like that. Those are good things and I guess by default they mean more of other things, but I like the idea of a "more" list because it feels like I'm giving myself something rather than taking something away. In 2026, I made a list of things that I want to do or have more of. This will be a year of more:

• swinging
• baking
• crafting
• nature
• writing
• cozy evenings

I have in my planner that the second a third weeks of each month are for a craft or baking something. I can pick which thing is which week as it fits my schedule. I want to be outside more. I want to engage in writing something (my email list is going to fulfill that one for sure!). And I want to have more slow and cozy evenings with my fairy lights and candles and using my acupressure mats. 

After last year I knew things needed to change and I'm doing my best to start new practices that I hope will benefit my overall health - body, soul, and mind. 

What kinds of plans or goals or habits are you working towards in 2026? Will you join me in any of mine? I'd love to hear what you have in mind and even help cheer you on as you journey through this new year!