My 2026 Word of the Year…
Hey loves! A few years back, I decided to choose a Word of the Year instead of making New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve been loving it! I’m really excited about the word I’ve chosen for this year and how it’s going to transform my life. After a lot of prayer, I feel like God has finally confirmed my word for the coming year!
Instead of making a New Year’s resolution that I probably wouldn’t stick to, my Word of the Year helps guide my decisions and keep me moving toward my goals. I hope you’re all either preparing or taking the time to relax as needed. I’ve been up since 5:00 AM, praying, planning, and getting ready to put my goals into action. But it doesn’t feel too impressive since I went to bed before 9 PM! I’m wrapping up this year by being intentional about my rest, my routines, and resetting my focus on what really matters.
The word that God put on my heart was… DISCOMFORT or UNCOMFORTABLE . Bold defined
“something that makes a person feel physically uncomfortable.”
Merriam Webster Dictionary
Odd choice you may say - but discomfort is ultimately the catalyst for GROWTH. I want to make sure I put myself in situations that make me uncomfortable this year (even more so than usual)! This affirmation is about embracing discomfort in order to become stronger and more resilient.
The verse I have chosen for Discomfort– One Word for 2026 is: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
So, I confidently say, after we have experienced suffering for a little while, God in His grace will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
THE WHY
When picking my word for 2026, I wanted something that would remind me to take risks, to do things differently than I’ve been doing them. I wanted the reminder to sacrifice what I want now for what I want more. I wanted it to work for my goals in my family, in my relationships, in my personal growth, and in this blog. Here’s what I wrote:
I want 2026 to be a year of discomfort.
It means more trips with the family in tow, even if it would be easier to stay home.
It means less about me and more about others.
It means more rigorous workouts and waking up earlier.
It means more patience, more presence, and new habits.
It means more projects that challenge me.
It means getting myself off the couch, out from behind the screen, and away from excuses.
Some of the discomfort will be forced. We have some big family changes coming this year and the new + different will inevitably mean a bit of discomfort. But a lot of it will come only by choosing it, from making time for things that are not what I’ve been choosing for the last few years.
Here’s the thing, I’m a King kid! God never promised that it would be easy, but He did promise that we would never be alone.
THE HOW
The word I’ve chosen for 2026 is Discomfort or Uncomfortable.
OK, did I just totally contradict myself? I encourage you to pick a word that represents something that feels good and that you want more of and I choose “discomfort”?
Yup, this year I am seeking discomfort. I am opting to step away from some long-held comfort measures to see what’s rumbling underneath. These measures, while seemingly “comfortable,” are in fact, holding me back.
The only “comfort” they’re giving me is an escape from living more fully, which in and of itself can be scary sometimes, right?
It’s time for me to get uncomfortable so I can strengthen muscles that have atrophied over the years. Things like:
The courage to feel yucky emotions
My willingness to disappoint people
Turning FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)
My commitment to not numb out through sugar and flour
Acceptance of my inherent introvert-ness
I’m sure I could add more to that list, but you get the idea.
Think of it this way — You know when you say, “There’s a part of me who feels _____,” or “A part of me thinks I should ____”. Yup, that’s “parts” work!
By seeking discomfort in the areas I mentioned above, I know I will awaken sleeping clarity and confidence, and learn a lot more about the work some of my parts (like my inner rebel, indulger, and saboteur), are doing in, what they think is, an effort to protect me.
As I learn, I can alleviate my parts of their duties by showing them my limiting beliefs are no longer needed, and then I can strengthen those desired, but atrophied, muscles.
Hence my word “Discomfort.”
MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU
I chose the word ‘DISCOMFORT’ as my 2026 word of the year. In 2026 I want something that will remind me to take risks, to do things differently than I’ve been doing them. I want the reminder to sacrifice what I want now for what I want more. I want it to work for my goals in my family, in my relationships, in my personal growth, and in this blog.
RECENTLY, I’VE BEEN PREPARING AND GOD HAS BEEN REMINDING ME~ Nah, BIGGER!
Friend, get comfortable being uncomfortable so you can be who God called you to be! Maybe you need to hear this message too!
We don’t need to rely on our own strength or our own resources. We just need to be faithful and God will be fruitful!
WE JUST NEED TO REMEMBER He never promised us that it would be easy, but he did promise us that we would never be alone. I need this message daily, so I am spending all of 2026 focusing on it!
I have a sticky note on my computer with my word written on it, a reminder set on my phone that pops up a couple times a day, and it has a prominent place on my vision board.
When I see the word, it reminds me to do something outside of my comfort zone whether that’s go ice skating or feel my feelings instead of think them.
As we cross into a new challenging chapter, I have no doubt this year will be one of GROWTH- filled with challenges, failures, but hopefully some wins too. No matter what, I am ready.
I wish all of you much discomfort this year! 😂 Remember that the biggest risk is often not taking any risks.
Here’s to much joy and magic in 2026!
Now I’d love to hear from you! If you were to pick a guiding word for your year, what would it be? And what does that word mean to you?
Leave it here in the comments to share with our community. Speaking it is a beautiful way to get things flowing. I’ll be praying for you as you embark on this new year! I pray that the Lord helps and guides you on this journey called life.
Be blessed, loves! And know that you are never ALONE!
XO, Kangelia
