MY WOTY FOR 2026
At the beginning of the year I chose "Mindful" as my inspiration for 2026, and it's been a really good reminder to be more intentional about what's happening in my life. When things slow down and there's not much happening, it can feel a little like I'm coasting along without all the excitement and plans I see others sharing on their social media feed. What am I doing? Why don't I want to be racing off on adventures? Am I content with where I'm at?
This is where being mindful starts to kick in....
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE MINDFUL?
What I'm learning about mindfulness is that it's not all "zen" and meditative, it's more about looking within myself to know what really matters on a heart level - rather than what the world tells me I should be doing. What is fun or interesting to one person doesn't necessarily translate the same way for me. I'm not looking to live a "big life" I'm happy dreaming my small dreams and living my small cosy life.
It doesn't mean that I'm doing nothing - I'm not sitting at home watching the world go by (well not all the time anyway!) I'm just curating a life that keeps my soul calm and at peace. After years of living on edge and always striving, I find this stage of life a lot more comforting - I feel like I'm in the driver's seat and I get to choose the destination and the speed it takes to get there. If that means slow and steady, then I'm fully onboard with the journey.
HOW IS BEING MINDFUL GOING?
So, what has being mindful looked like so far this year? Well, it's shown up in lots of small ways.
- I feel more settled within myself - more sure of who I am and what matters to me.
- I feel centered and calm most days (with a few times of eustress popping in now and then to keep me on my toes).
- I've been working on losing the weight that's crept up over the last few years - only about 5kgs but it was enough to make more mindful eating choices.
- I'm also working on being more patient, kinder, and more generous - with others and with myself.
- I'm feeling like I'm learning more about deeper things - that's probably a bit vague, but I know what I mean, and it's helping to make the world make more sense to me.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
For the remainder of the year there are a few questions I continue to ask myself...What do I need to work on more? What needs strengthening? What needs smoothing? How do I become a wiser woman who offers light and positivity to the people around me? There's no simple answer to any of these - it's just a gradual, intentional look at how I approach life and making sure that I'm becoming a better version of myself over time.
There's no guarantees in life, but often the sun is shining and the birds are singing, and I want to hold those moments close - and build on them for the rainy days that are always part of the mix.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
How's your Word of the Year coming along? Did you choose one, or do you make resolutions or intentions to help you grow and 'become'? Have you noticed any changes within yourself since the beginning of the year?
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You're doing really well with your word of the year. It seems to have been the perfect choice for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo - I think I was ready for a bit of self-examination, so it's been a good word to guide me without getting too far into my head and overthinking everything!
DeleteI chose mindful for my woty too. I seem to be focusing more on friendships and how I feel about them in my retirement. How much energy I’m putting in and whether some friendships feel one sided. I’ve found that I could be working harder at a couple of friendships that while working I didn’t have time to. On the other hand there is one that I thought was one of my best friends but now I sense I was the one putting in all the work so I’m choosing to step back. I’m more mindful of who I give my energy to. Lately I feel I can focus on being more mindful about vacations and start to slow down with those and spend more time on home projects. We’ve had a few vacations which we’ve enjoyed but some can feel like energy zappers where I’m more than ready to come home. Is it just me? Chrissie
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - I've found the same thing with overseas travel - it isn't something that I feel relaxed by - I tend to over-plan, over-worry, over-anticipate, and then be a little let down when it's done and I'm home again. We're finding that life at home with short vacations fits our lifestyle right now, and maybe we'll re-think it down the track. I like that I'm content with less on my schedule and I don't compare or apologise for it now days.
DeleteAnd yes to sliding out of one-sided friendships - I've let a few go over the last decade or so. I just can't bring myself to keep instigating the catch-ups, if they don't share the desire to connect, then I'm happy in my own space and with the few friends who I feel are on an equal investment of time and energy. The people who care about us will want to touch base, the others can happily go about whatever while I smile and wave.
What a gentle and kind read this is Leanne. Making your 2026 Mindful is a great way to be both moving and staying…learning and growing…or not. Making choices that work for you. And how good is that. Take care, lovely catch up. Denyse
ReplyDeleteThanks Denyse - that's what it feels like for me....a gentle choice where it feels needed, and being intentional where it matters. I'm happy to live quietly and comfortably - and to invest myself where it feels like a good fit. There will always be times of discomfort, but I'm better at allowing those times to come and go without feeling the need to fix it or control it. x
DeleteA mid-year review is fitting. Your response above resonates - a gentle choice where it feels needed, and being intentional where it matters. My WOTY is season - both a verb & noun. The quiet rural life is seasoned with activities that need doing & that want doing. To everything there is a season - entering the 8th decade; oldest granddaughter graduating from high school; climatic seasons in this part of Canada that often dictate routines.
ReplyDeleteHi Mona - I love "season" as a WOTY - and it fits so well with how we live life as we get older. It's not so much a rushing into the day, as a gentle embracing of each season and enjoying it for what it brings. I really want to build into this time of life with a sense of appreciation for how good it is - knowing that aging brings challenges and this feels like a sweet spot to savour.
DeleteHI Leanne - Well, I haven't chosen a word of the year. Nor did I make any resolution. Mindful is good word. We are half way through this year. When I look back on 2026, I am glad that days have been peaceful, compared to the days when I was having a full-time job. Whatever one does, the goal should be to be calm, peaceful and healthy.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep - calm, peaceful, and healthy all sound like perfect goals to me. I hope you keep them in mind as you launch back into working again. I'll be interested to see how you go with your return to the workforce - sometimes we need to go back to see if we're done with having a job or if there's a bit more left in us to go.
DeleteLOVE this...My WOTY is Intention, which does sort of goes hand in hand with Mindful, which was my WOTY a few years ago...I start every day with intentions but I am also mindful about those intentions and mindful about changing directions if I need to....Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Hi Debbie - yes, intentional goes very well with mindful, and I use the two together quite often when I'm describing how I want to live this second half of life - or maybe it's the third third of life that is calling me to live well? I really do have more time to think about things and to choose wisely these days. x
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