Don’t Put It Off: 5 Questions to Ask Now to Discover Your 2026 Word
{One Word 2025 October Linkup}
It’s hard to believe it’s time again—but yes, start tuning in for your One Word for 2026. (Read here if you want 6 easy AI prompts to help you choose your word.)
Begin with your 2025 word. Does it still have lessons to teach you? Maybe it’s pointing you in a similar direction for the new year. Or maybe you’re sensing the pull of something entirely new for a fresh start.
Either way, don’t wait until later to begin reflecting. Now is the perfect season to start noticing glimmers of what your next word might be.
Take a few moments over the next few weeks to listen: Is there a word—or maybe a theme—that seems to be inviting you closer?
5 Questions to Help You Find Your 2026 Word
Here are a few questions that might guide your reflection and help your next word reveal itself:
1. What felt EASY OR HARD about living with your 2025 word?
My word RIPPLE has been super easy. I see and hear it everywhere as do my friends, so it has stayed front of mind.
2. Is there any UNFINISHED BUSINESS with your word—or are you ready to turn the page?
I’ll never be finished with Ripple (our ripples continue on even after we’re gone!), but I am excited to shift in a slightly different—yet similar—direction for 2026.
3. What CHANGES, CHALLENGES, OR DREAMS do you sense stirring for 2026?
Because I’ve felt more healing this year, I’d like a word next year that asks a little more of me (but not TOO much!).
4. Do you want your next word to feel BOLDER, SOFTER, steadier, or more expansive? (Or maybe something else entirely?)
I’d like my word to be a bit more active, yet equally as expansive as Ripple.
5. Is there a word that keeps popping up—a REPEAT VISITOR that’s asking for a deeper look this time around?
Yes! I’ve been excited about two different words that continue coming to mind. I’m still deciding between the two (or maybe something completely unexpected?) for 2026.
Bonus Reflection
Take a moment to trace your One Word journey from past years. Do you notice any patterns or recurring themes? Sometimes our next word is waiting in that thread of growth.
I collaborated with AI to write a poem using my One Words from the past 10 years. Here’s what we came up with!
Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear what YOU are beginning to sense for 2026. If you’d like, share your early ideas in the comments below. Add any updates about your old or new word from your own blog in our linkup. It’s open through Saturday, November 8.
Exploring new words is meant to be both fun and meaningful—it’s like giving yourself a small but powerful gift before the year-end rush begins.
Here’s to listening well and discovering what’s next. May your 2026 word find you right on time.
Do you see any glimmers yet of a 2026 One Word? Ready to share?
We’d love to hear in the comments.
Looking ahead: Our November linkup will open on Tuesday, November 25. Plan to join us with an update about your One Word.
If you’d like to receive our monthly One Word emails and ideas, join here any time of the year.
Link Up About Your One Word
- Ripples Through Time: Reading My Late Mother’s Words—Then My Own
- Read What Matters Most: 5 Nonfiction Books To Use Your Time Well
I love all these suggestions for starting to reflect upon our 2026 WOTY Lisa! You always keep us on track.
And I also enjoyed your poem too.
I’ve been thinking about my word/theme for 2026 & I’ve had one in particular coming up over the last week…we will see!
I’ve been doing a lot of exploring this month on different topics, as shared in the posts above.
blessings, Jennifer
Oh, I’m excited that you’re getting hints for your next word too, Jennifer! Explore will be a hard word to top, though. It’s been so versatile. Thanks for sharing your posts.
I’m thankful for the prayerful journey through 2025, but I’m excited for all that 2026 has in store for us. I like your One Word ten-year journey poem.
Thanks, Lisa. 2025 has been a fruitful year for both of us with our words. And yes, I’m also looking forward to what will come next, too!
I would love to join you all for 2026. I’ve been praying for my word for 2026 and a couple have come to mind. Still praying. Do I link up anywhere for 2026?
Glad you’ll be joining us for 2026, Melanie! You’re in the group now, so there’s nothing else you need to do. We share monthly here at the linkup and anytime during the month in our Facebook group.
Thanks, Lisa! I look forward to sharing with you all.
Good suggestions. I just went back and reread all my posts about courage and created a summary post to post in November. Started a post it note on my desk to jot down potential words for 2026. already have a long list and can tell some have more life than others. I will keep listening for quite a while yet to hear which one pops out. ( :
I’ll so look forward to reading your summary post on courage, Jean! I’ve thoroughly loved all the things you’ve shared this year on it. You’ve made the word a little less scary for me but I’m still too timid to choose it for myself. ha. I’ve just lived through your experiences with it. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you settle on for 2026!
These are fantistic, thought-provoking questions and suggestions, Lisa. I usually start praying for a new word in December. However, I’m not sure I’m ready to move on from HOPE, unless the Lord tells me to. Thanks for your commitment to one word. It is encouraging and helpful to. Have a blessed week, sister!
I can understand how Hope would be a word you wouldn’t want to move from, Horace. I hope you’ll stick with it if you feel led to. One year is an arbitrary measure of time anyway. ha. Some words travel with us for a lifetime. Hope you’re doing well!
Lisa! It has been so long! I am writing a post about my one word now and am doing a series, but as I did, I stumbled upon your blog (again). It’s been a while, and I am so glad I did! I am so intermittant in my online activity and I miss so many of those I used to have a close writing connection with…I guess that is the way life is, but glad you are here- I will check back shortly!
Hi Dawn! Yes, it’s been awhile – glad to reconnect again! Occasionally I’ll look at old posts and comments and realize that it’s been a long while since I’ve run into some of the once-active blogging crowd and wonder how everyone is doing.