Can one word really guide your year?

I think so. I believe that one word can shape your mindset, guide your decisions, and help you navigate life’s twists and turns with intention.

It sounds almost too simple to be true, right? But trust me— choosing a word of the year is one of the most transformative and grounding practices I’ve discovered. It’s not about setting endless resolutions or filling up a planner with to-do lists. It’s about having a single guiding light, a touchstone that shapes your mindset and helps you navigate whatever life throws your way.

For me, this year’s word is “bend.”

This small, unassuming word carries so much power. It speaks to resilience, adaptability, and grace under pressure—qualities I’m holding close as I step into a year filled with uncertainty, both in the world around me and in my personal life. Let me share a little more about why I chose it and how it’s already helping me reframe challenges and find peace.

I hadn’t yet decided if I was going to choose a word as a guidepost this year, but as I was cleaning my little studio, my eyes landed on a 6×6 encaustic piece I did a few years ago. It hit me like a thunderbolt — this year, I’ve chosen “bend” as my word. It’s simple, soft, and powerful—a word that speaks to resilience, adaptability, and grace under pressure. It’s also a word I need right now.

Like many people, I’ve been feeling the weight of uncertainty. The political climate here in the U.S. has me worried about the future and on a more personal level, some of our family dynamics have been unsettling (to say the least) and my health has brought its own struggles. Emotionally, it’s been a lot to carry. I needed a way to hold all of this, a way to cope without crumbling under the weight. That’s when “bend” found me.

Bending is about flexibility. It’s about swaying with the storms of life without snapping in two. Think of a tree in high winds—its ability to bend is what allows it to stay rooted and survive. To me, that’s such a beautiful metaphor for how I want to face this year. When the winds of worry or change blow hard, I don’t need to stand rigidly and try to resist everything. I can bend. I can adapt.

But bending is more than just surviving—it’s also about softness and grace. It’s a reminder to be gentle with myself, especially when things feel overwhelming. I don’t need to have it all together all the time. Bending gives me permission to feel what I feel—grief, worry, hope, all of it—without judgment. It’s about flowing with the emotions rather than fighting them.

At the same time, “bend” feels like a call to action. It’s about staying flexible while staying grounded in what matters. It’s about finding creative, compassionate ways to show up for what I believe in—whether that’s in my community, my relationships, or my own well-being. It’s not about breaking or giving up; it’s about finding strength in the sway.

So, here’s to bending this year. Here’s to being resilient without being rigid, to finding strength in softness, and to letting go of the need for perfection. If you’re carrying a heavy load right now too, maybe “bend” can be a word for you as well—a reminder that we can move with life’s challenges and still stand tall in our own way.

Let’s bend, not break.

If you’ve been thinking about choosing a focus word for yourself, I’ve got a fun way to choose in my post The Secret to Staying Inspired All Year.