A Guiding Word: A Gentle Way To Navigate 2026

At the start of a new year, or during times of change, it’s common to feel the urge to hit “reset.” For many of us, that shows up as goal-setting, habit tracking, or the pressure to make meaningful change quickly. Goals can be useful, but they’re not the only way to find our footing or move toward growth.

For me, choosing a guiding word (or theme or intention) has been a gentler, more human way to navigate the year. Instead of focusing on what I should do or achieve, a word becomes a lens, a way to notice, reflect, and come back to what matters over time.

You may recall, last year, my word was Balance. This year, my word is Alive. It reminds me to notice small moments of energy, curiosity, and presence, and to let that awareness guide how I move through life. It’s not a checklist or a rule to follow. It’s more like a gentle nudge to pause and notice what’s alive in the moment.

As I move toward a milestone birthday this year, Alive also reminds me to embrace the life I have; the everyday moments, the imperfect ones, and the ones that make me feel most present. It’s a prompt to notice what feels vibrant and meaningful right now, rather than measuring myself against what I think I should have achieved or become.

Orientation: Finding Your Bearings

Orientation is really about noticing where we are before deciding what comes next. I feel it in my body, particularly my feet. It’s a sense of being grounded, present, and alert. Without it, movement can feel busy but untethered, like rushing without really knowing why or knowing where you are rushing to.

Life has a way of pulling us into autopilot. Routine, repetition, and obligations can make it easy to lose sight of what’s supporting us or quietly draining us. Pausing to orient helps me see more clearly where I stand, what resources I have, and what I might need.

Using a word, theme, or intention supports the process of reflection and self-awareness. Instead of asking, “What should I do?” I ask, “What am I noticing right now?” or “Where am I feeling energy, curiosity, or presence?” or “What brings me more into alignment with my needs, purpose, and vision?” Pausing like this doesn’t require fixing anything; it simply creates space to notice, reflect and respond in a more meaningful way. It helps me move forward with clarity rather than pressure.

The Role of Body, Attention, and Time

Orientation isn’t just something we do with our minds. Our bodies are constantly sending signals (posture, breath, energy levels) that tell us whether we’re grounded, regulated or running on autopilot. Sometimes they gently invite us back into the present, if we take the time to notice.

Time and attention matter too. Life can feel rushed, not because we don’t have enough hours, but because our focus drifts from what truly matters. Even small shifts such as stepping out of routine, noticing a single moment, trying something new, can help us reconnect with both orientation and aliveness.

Noticing Aliveness Within Structure

A coach once said something that has stayed with me: “You can be spontaneous within a structure.”

And while it might sound contradictory at first, as someone who likes order and a sense of control, it has really resonated with me, and I’ve found it especially true in everyday life. Take camping as an example: the dates are set, the tent is packed, and a loose plan is in place. That framework creates safety, allowing walks, detours, rest, and play to unfold naturally. Supportive company makes curiosity, flexibility, courage, and responsiveness easier.

For me, this is a simple way to notice where I feel Alive. Structure doesn’t constrain aliveness, for me, it provides a base from which it can emerge. Within a safe, intentional framework, I can tune into moments of energy, curiosity, and presence without feeling overwhelmed or aimless.

A Gentle Invitation

Pausing to notice where we are, what we feel, and what matters can be a simple but powerful practice. You might try asking yourself:

• Where do I feel grounded right now?

• Where am I noticing energy, curiosity, or presence?

• Where might I be moving forward without really knowing why?

• What brings me more into alignment with my needs, purpose, and vision?

No fixing is required. Just noticing. Using a theme may help to bring attention to orientation and supports a reflective, values-aligned approach to your year.