My Word of the Year: Intention
Every year, I pick a word. One word that becomes my guiding light, my north star, the thing I come back to when I’m making decisions or feeling stuck. Some years it’s been easier than others to land on the right word, but this year? This year, it came to me almost immediately: intention.
What Intention Means to Me
Here’s the thing. I’m tired of going through the motions. Between being a mom and running a business, it’s so easy to fall into autopilot mode. I say yes to things I don’t actually want to do. I scroll mindlessly when I finally have a free minute. I let entire weeks slip by without really being present for any of it, even though I’m constantly busy.
And that’s the kicker, right? I can be busy all day long and still feel like I’m not actually moving toward anything that matters.
Intention, for me, is about showing up on purpose. It’s about making choices that align with what I actually care about (my kids, my business, my own well-being), not just what’s urgent or what everyone else needs from me. It’s about asking myself: Why am I doing this? Does this matter to me? Is this how I want to spend my time?
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s a hard no. But at least I’m asking the question.
The Little Things Count
Living with intention doesn’t mean every moment has to be profound or Instagram-worthy. It’s not about perfection. Some days, intention looks like choosing to go for a run even when I’m tired because I know I’ll feel better after. Other days, it’s choosing to stay in and rest because that’s what my body needs.
It’s putting my phone down when my kids are talking to me, even if I’m in the middle of responding to a work email. It’s blocking out time for deep work on my business goals instead of just reacting to whatever pops up. It’s saying no to opportunities that sound good on paper but don’t actually move me closer to where I want to be.
Because here’s the truth: I have huge goals. Big dreams for my business. Big dreams for the kind of mom I want to be. And none of that happens by accident. It happens when I make intentional choices, day after day, that actually support those dreams instead of just keeping me busy.
A Little Sparkle Goes a Long Way
And honestly? I want a little more sparkle this year too. Not in a glittery, over-the-top way, but in the way that makes life feel a little brighter. The things that add joy just because they do.
Maybe it’s lighting a candle while I work. Wearing the earrings I’ve been saving for a “special occasion” on a random Tuesday. Taking the scenic route. Celebrating the small wins instead of rushing past them to the next thing.
Sparkle is what happens when you live with intention. It’s the little moments of delight that show up when you’re actually paying attention.
What This Looks Like Going Forward
I don’t have a perfect plan for how this is all going to unfold. I’m not setting strict rules or creating some elaborate tracking system. That’s not the point.
The point is to pause more. To check in with myself. To ask whether the next thing I’m about to say yes to actually supports my goals or just adds to the noise. To be more present with my kids instead of half-listening while my brain runs through my business to-do list. To make choices that feel aligned, not just convenient.
I want to build something incredible with my business this year. I want to show up as the mom my kids deserve. And I want to do both without burning myself out or losing myself in the process.
I want to look back at 2026 and feel like I was really here for it. Not just surviving, not just checking boxes, but actually living in a way that feels like me.
So that’s my word. Intention. And maybe a little sparkle too.
What about youu, do you have a word for the year? I’d love to hear what you’re focusing on in the comments.