Each year, I wrap myself in the tradition of choosing a word to carry me forward… a guiding light, a compass, a quiet mantra that echoes throughout my days. Over the years, these words have become something more than intention-setters; they’ve become the sand, rocks, and shells of a beautiful beach I’m creating year after year like a whole little ecosystem that tells the story of my becoming.
Some of the words that have already washed onto the shore include:
- Determined (x3!)
- Joy
- Simplicity
- Intentional
- Influence
- Catalyst
- Time
- Amplify
- Cynosure
Each one has left its mark on me, quietly and profoundly. And now, in the fresh glow of a brand-new year, I welcome my next word to my world: Presence.
Looking Back at 2025: Cynosure
When I first chose Cynosure, it wasn’t a word I’d heard before. I discovered it after a surprisingly insightful roast from ChatGPT, where I was called out for “juggling a million things and still managing to procrastinate on my own brilliance.” It was meant to be playful, but it struck a nerve in the best way.
I dove into the world of “brilliance,” “focus,” and guidance, eventually landing on Cynosure, a word rooted in the stars, in direction, in being a guiding light. It spoke to both who I wanted to be for myself and how I hoped to show up for others.
And wow, did Cynosure show up for me.
This past year was full of redirection, clarity, and intentionality. I found myself constantly being pulled back to that core idea: Where am I putting my attention? Am I aligning with my own true north? Whether it was making strategic decisions in my business, saying no to misaligned opportunities, or recognizing when to rest instead of push, Cynosure helped me shift from scattered to centered.
But even more than recognizing North Stars in my life and staying on path, the even bigger lesson for me was learning how and what it means to be a North Star. To begin to allow myself to truly shine. To receive the honor fully when someone else recognizes that brilliance, instead of shying away or brushing it off. That was massive.
It wasn’t always easy. Focus is still not my default setting (thanks, stork 😆), but I now have a deeper understanding of what it means to let something guide you, not just in your productivity, but in your energy, your self-trust, and your relationships. Cynosure helped me learn to become the light for myself instead of constantly looking for it outside of me.
Why I Chose Presence for 2026
If Cynosure was about direction, Presence is about arriving.
After a year of aligning with my focus points, I began to notice a pattern: Even when I knew where I was headed, I often forgot to be where I was. I’d be working on one thing while mentally spiraling about three others. I’d be in a beautiful moment with my family and still be thinking about my next deadline. The clarity was there but I wasn’t fully in it.
So this year, I’m choosing Presence. Not perfection. Not performance. Not planning five steps ahead. Just… Presence.
I want to feel my feet on the floor when I get up in the morning. I want to fully taste the cup of tea in my hands instead of gulping it down on the way to something else. I want to listen… really listen… when someone is speaking to me. I want to give my attention to now instead of what could go wrong next.
More than anything, I want to gift myself the power of stillness. The truth that the most sacred things in life don’t happen in the rush but in the pause.
An Invitation to You
Whether you’ve been choosing a Word of the Year for a decade or are exploring it for the first time this practice is so much more than a trend. It’s a doorway to alignment.
If you’re still searching for your word, I invite you to slow down, get quiet, and ask yourself:
- What do I need more of in my life?
- What do I want to feel when I look back on 2026?
- What word would support me in living from intention, not just setting them?
To my incredible workshop participants who already chose their words for 2026: Sovereign, Open-hearted, Presence, and Recoupment… I see you. I honor your clarity, your courage, and the unique path you are each walking. May your words rise up to meet you and guide you home.
Let’s live 2026 with clarity and presence. One sacred moment at a time.
Where will I practice PRESENSE in 2026?
xoxo
Jessica