My Theme For The New Year-An Alternative To New Year's Resolutions

About 9 years ago, a friend told me about how they choose a word for a new year instead of setting resolutions. I really liked this concept and have implemented it ever since. I feel like resolutions can set us up for feeling guilty and shameful when we didn't achieve the thing. We don't have exact control over outcomes. We only have control on taking actions that can potentially bring us the outcomes, or something even better. Deciding on a word or a theme for the year can help us focus more on things we have control over, reducing pressure, and eliminating shame spirals.

Let's say your resolution is to find a new job. At the end of the year you were not able to find a new job. We don't have control over when someone is going to hire us. That can feel pretty bad! Here is a how a word can feel better. Ask yourself "Why do I want this new job? What would it bring me?" Is it a feeling of abundance? What does abundance mean to you? Where are you already abundant in your life? What actions can you take to support your definition of abundance? You can still apply to new jobs, but you can additionally cultivate abundance in your life so that you don't feel like you need the job in order to have what you want now. For example, one way I feel abundant is by taking myself out on a coffee date. I love sitting in coffee shops with my journal, nibbing on a vegan pastry and sipping on a matcha.

One of my coffee dates with myself.

Focusing on actions that support your definition of your word or theme, can help you feel more empowered.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you find a word or theme:

• What would you like to achieve this year?

  
  

• Why do you want it? What do you feel it would give you?

  
  

• What is your definition of this? What does it mean to you? (Being clear on this will help you take aligned actions)

  
  

• Where are you already experiencing this in your life? (this cultivates a feeling of gratitude instead of a feeling of lack)

  
  

• What actions can you take that are in alignment to this?

So, what is my word/theme for 2026?

Last year my theme was to stop hiding. I certainly stepped up and shared more of myself. By doing that, I realized that I still have deep rooted beliefs on not feeling worthy or being enough. There are ways I wanted to put myself out there even more and still felt like I needed to "play it safe". This has gotten in my way of how often I shows up. I have ideas for reels to create for my TikTok and Instagram accounts and instead don't prioritize creating them. By taking actions that lead to me hiding less, I realized the root cause of my hiding. So my theme for 2026 is "I am worthy, I am enough" (it doesn't always have to be one word).

I am now focusing on taking actions that feel aligned with me being worthy and enough. Yesterday I launched my updated website. I am showing up and sharing on this month's blog challenge. I have ideas of content I want to create, and will prioritize time to actually do it.

Taking one small aligned action at a time will build momentum and a feeling of accomplishment.

What is your theme for 2026? What aligned actions will you take? Let me know in the comments.

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Jennifer Shlomovich is a Plant-Powered Lifestyle-Educator on a mission to help others improve their health by eating more plants.. As the only vegan in her household, she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to stay true to your values when the people around you aren’t on the same path. For years, she put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own, but through her journey, she discovered the power of setting boundaries, living by her values, and confidently prioritizing her well-being. On her YouTube channel, The Confident Vegan, she shares inspiring interviews, practical tips, and empowering conversations about what it really means to live in alignment with your values. She is also the co-host of That Vegan Morning Show with Kimberly Winters of the Did You Bring The Hummus podcast.