As the year comes to a close, I always take time for a personal ritual that feels grounding, reflective, and deeply nourishing. Before rushing ahead into “what’s next,” I pause to look back on the year that was. I look at what went well, what disappointments or challenges I faced, and I journal about my thoughts and feelings in relation to these experiences.

Once I’ve finished reflecting on the year behind me, I gently turn my attention toward the year ahead. I take time to explore what I desire in different areas of my life; my health, wealth, relationships, and personal growth. From there, a theme naturally begins to emerge, and I narrow it down to a single word that captures the essence of how I want to move through the year.

Rather than setting a New Year’s resolution, I choose to set intentions.

Why I Choose Intention Setting Over Resolutions

Over the years, I’ve learned that intention setting feels far more supportive than making resolutions. Resolutions often come from pressure, a sense that we need to fix or change something about ourselves. They can feel rigid, demanding, and short-lived.

Intentions, on the other hand, are rooted in awareness and compassion. They offer direction without judgment. They invite curiosity instead of control. An intention doesn’t ask you to overhaul your life overnigh, it gently guides how you show up within it.

The Power of Choosing One Word

One of my favourite parts of this ritual is choosing one word to guide the year ahead.

A word becomes an anchor for me. It gives me something to return to when life feels busy, noisy, or overwhelming. It’s not about doing more or becoming someone else. It’s about remembering who I am and how I want to move through the year.

Having a guiding word helps:

• Create clarity when decisions feel confusing

• Offer a touchstone during moments of self-doubt

• Keep intentions alive beyond January

• Ground back into what truly matters

Instead of a long list of goals, a single word becomes a gentle compass.

My Word for 2026: STRENGTH

This year, my word is STRENGTH.

For me, strength isn’t about pushing harder or carrying more. It’s about:

• Setting boundaries and honouring them

• Reconnecting with my personal power

• Stepping out of old stories of victimhood

• Rooting deeply into self-worth

• Feeling content with my life as it is right now

• Knowing, in my bones, that I am enough, just as I am!

This word reminds me to stand steady in who I am, to trust myself, and to move through life feeling grounded, self-assured, and whole.

How I Work With My Word Throughout the Year

Once I choose my word, I write it out and place it on my vision board (which I also update to reflect my intentions for the year). This gives me a visual reminder that I see every single day. Giving me something to gently call me back when I feel myself veering off course.

When I feel scattered, overwhelmed, or disconnected, I return to my word. I ask:
What would strength look like here?
What choice aligns with this intention?

Again and again, it helps me re-ground and remind me of what is important to me.

An Invitation to Set Your Own Intentions

If this ritual speaks to you, I’d love to guide you through it.

At my New Year Intention-Setting Retreat, we’ll slow down together, reflect on the year behind us, and create space to intentionally welcome the year ahead, with clarity, presence, and care.

Two options available:

• A full weekend retreat from January 23 - 25

• A one-day option on January 24th for those who can’t commit to the full weekend

Spaces are limited, and only a few spots remain.

If you feel the pull to begin the year feeling grounded, supported, and aligned, I’d love to hold that space for you.

👉 Learn more here.

Want to Do This Ritual on Your Own?

If you’re not able to attend the retreat but still feel called to create your own intention-setting ritual, I’d love to offer a simple way to do this at home.

1. Start by Getting Grounded

Before reflecting or journaling, I always begin by grounding myself in the present moment. For me, that means getting onto my mat and moving my body to release what’s old and settle into the here and now.

If movement feels supportive for you, here are two class recommendations from my online membership that pair beautifully with this ritual:

Gentle 1-Hour Grounding Flow
👉 https://www.fortheloveofmovement.ca/online_store/winter-yoga-for-grounding
Suggested music: Yoga Flow for New Beginnings
👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5O6uZ6WIRMUpshj4mOtIEg?si=F3pyJVP1TWqjx3tJkvG7NA

45-Minute Yin Yoga (Rest & Restore)
👉 https://www.fortheloveofmovement.ca/online_store/rest-and-be-merry
Suggested music:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tp78IFqcH27mIgXT4cSba?si=Mv9dg_w9Sm6p838JRJAJDw

💛 A quick note: If you’ve participated in any of my series, whether in person or online, you already have free access to the membership. If you can’t remember your login details, simply choose “Forgot my password” on the login page to regain access.

2. Review the Year Behind You

Once you’re grounded, set aside quiet time to reflect on the year that’s just passed. I like to do this in two parts:

• Part one: Reflect on disappointments and challenges. What felt heavy? What stretched you?

• Part two: Reflect on highlights. What brought joy, growth, or gratitude?

After reviewing both, spend some time journaling about your thoughts and feelings around these experiences. There’s no need to judge or analyze, simply notice what arises.

3. Look Ahead and Choose Your Word

Next, turn your attention toward the year ahead. Reflect on what you desire in different areas of your life, such as:

• Health

• Relationships

• Wealth or abundance

• Personal growth

As you do this, notice if a theme begins to emerge. From that theme, distill your intentions into one word, a word that captures how you want to feel, live, and move through the year ahead.

Let that word become your guide. Write it down. Place it somewhere you’ll see it often. Return to it whenever you need grounding or clarity.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.

If you feel called to go deeper, know that you don’t have to do this work alone. Whether through movement, reflection, or community, support is always available. However you choose to welcome the year ahead, may it begin with presence, care, and intention.

Much love to you!