Is Your One Word Trying to Get Your Attention? Try This Photo Challenge
{One Word 2026 May Linkup}
What if your One Word has been trying to get your attention?
This month, you’re invited into a simple kind of noticing: become a One Word detective in your everyday life.
Instead of forcing anything, just pay attention to what’s already here—how your word might be showing up in ordinary moments, places, and interactions. Then, capture those glimpses as a photo, when possible.
You might start to see your word appear through:
- people who cross your path
- ordinary, everyday objects
- small but meaningful moments
- places you find yourself
- unexpected little details
As you take photos, try to include yourself in at least one image—as a reminder that you are part of your word’s unfolding story, too.
My One Word Photos
Here are some beachy places I saw my word SHIFT last week.
It started Thursday night at a pretend beach for my grandson’s Pre-K graduation. He’s shifting from Pre-K to Kindergarten in the fall. (Too soon—I’m not ready for this shift.)
The next day, I shifted to the real beach with my husband.
On our daily walks on the beach, we had to shift our path several times to protect sea turtle nests and flightless chicks. (The “Bird Crossing” sign was a new one for me!)
I shifted from one book to the next all week. This quote below stood out to me. It’s a useful one now that I’m back home and might get jealous when I see others at the beach.
“The next time you find yourself envying those vacationers on social media, pause. Instead of following your gut reaction, take a moment to mentally wish them well. Observe how this small shift replaces the tightness of envy in your heart with warmth.”
Share Your One Word Update
Share your own One Word updates in the comments or add a One Word blog post in the linkup below. It will remain open until midnight, Tuesday, June 9.
You’re also welcome to share your photos in the One Word Facebook group throughout the month.
Looking ahead, the June linkup opens Friday, June 26.
The more we pay attention, the more our words seem to surface in ordinary and surprising places alike.
I’m looking forward to seeing where your word shows up this month—and where mine continues to show up, too.
Question for you:
Where have you seen your word lately (literally or metaphorically)? Share in the comments.
If you’d like to receive our monthly One Word emails and ideas for 2026, join here.
Link Up About Your One Word
- Sometimes Courage Looks Very Small: A Small Shift at the Airport
- What’s Holding Me Together Right Now
I love the beachy theme for PreK graduation & that you sustained that theme throughout this post.
Over the last few years, all my vacations have been spent visiting family. I can’t tell you the last time my husband and I went somewhere just for fun. I guess that is what happens when families live hours away from each other.
I apologize if the above comment sounds whiny. I love spending time with my children, grandchild, and extended family.
One Word 2026 – May
You didn’t sound whiny, Barb. That’s a hard situation. Most of my family lives close, so I haven’t had to use vacation time for family visits, but I’ve had friends who have. My heart would go out to them for having to split their time up that way.
I love the suggestion about replacing my envy about people’s vacations I see on social media with wishing them well. It’s something I want to practice.
That quote keeps coming back to haunt me for many situations. ha. It’s not that I don’t want other people to have fun, I just want to be having it too. 🙂
I love that quote. You gave such great ideas to reflect on in the everyday. Thanks so much for hosting & warm hospitality.
Thanks for linking up, Paula! I appreciate the wisdom you share in your posts each month.
What a cute graduation idea! I’m so glad you and your husband were able to go to the beach, Lisa. Great quote! I’ve heard of turtle crossings, but never baby chick crossings. LOL! And thanks again for hosting us so well!
The bird crossing was new to me too, Lisa! At first I thought, “Is this a joke?” But once I saw the second sign about flightless chicks, I understood. 🙂
I love this idea of being a One Word detective. Now I wonder where my word Patience is hiding… probably somewhere waiting for me to slow down and notice it. 🙂
I am so glad with you Lisa. Thanks for hosting.
I love that your husband found “patience” for you. My husband has found “shift” for me quite often this year. It’s helpful! 🙂
Such great ideas here, Lisa. I’m quietely collecting pictures and though I’ve added my May post, I’m going to write one in June to include your ideas.
I look forward to reading both the post you linked here and your upcoming post about where you’re seeing your word. I appreciate the gentle wisdom that I always find in your writings, Corinne. Thank you for linking up with us. ❤️