Hey friend,

I hope you had a good winter break — and didn’t end up getting sick like so many people did this year. Welcome to 2026🤍

Every January, there’s so much pressure to “start fresh.” New goals. New routines. New habits. And while I love the idea of a reset, I’ve noticed that big resolutions tend to feel exciting… until they don’t. And then by February, they quietly fade away.

In December, while spending time with family and getting ready for hosting duties, I was listening to a few podcasts that popped up in my feed. One idea kept coming up: choosing a word for the year instead of setting a resolution.

Not a goal you have to chase.
Just a word you can come back to.

I loved that.

So I’m trying something new.

For 2026, my word is love.

Love for myself.
Love for my family.
Love for my friends.
Love for others.

The world can feel really heavy sometimes — especially if you’re paying attention to the news. I can’t control what’s happening out there, but I can control how I show up in my own life and home.

This year, I want to move through things with more love and less pressure.

That means giving myself more grace. Being more present with my kids. Sharing more honestly here — the good, the messy, and the in-between — in hopes that someone out there reads this and feels a little less alone.

If you’re choosing a word for the year, I’d love to know what it is. And if you’re not choosing anything at all? That’s okay too. Sometimes just getting through the day is enough.