Hello January! It’s the season of "New Year, New You," a phrase that implies the "Old You" was somehow broken, outdated, or in need of a total system override. But what if
we started 2026 differently? What if, instead of building a long list of things to fix, we
chose one single word to follow for the year?​

 

​Returning, Not Fixing

The traditional resolution mindset is rooted in deficiency. It asks, "What is wrong with me
that I need to change?" This keeps us in a cycle of self-critique that is exhausting and
rarely works. The "One Word" approach is rooted in alignment. It asks, "What is the
core of who I am, and how can I return there?" When you identify a guiding word like
Grace, Anchor, Space, or Nourish you aren't trying to become a different person. You
are simply setting a compass. You are acknowledging that you already have a "center,"
and your only job this year is to move back toward it whenever you feel lost or drifting
away.

 

​How to Find Your Word

​

To find your center, step away from the mirror and the scale. Instead, grab a notebook
and ask yourself:
1. How do I want to feel at the end of a long day? (e.g., Quiet, Rooted,
Supported)
2. What has been missing from my life lately? (e.g., Play, Connection, Ease,
Compassion)
3. What quality do I want to bring to my interactions? (e.g., Presence,
Kindness, Warmth)

 

​Putting Your Word into Practice

​

The beauty of "The Power of One Word" is its psychological flexibility. A rule can be
broken, but a word can only be practiced.

• If your word is Compassion: When you have a hard day or a setback, you don't "fail." You simply ask, "How can I bring compassion to this moment?"

• If your word is Rooted: When the world feels chaotic or diet culture talk gets loud, you ask, "What action will make me feel more rooted right now?"

 

This month, permit yourself to ignore the "fix-it" manuals and the “New Year, New You”
phrase. You aren't a project to be completed; you are a person to be known. By
choosing one word, you create a gentle place for your focus to land. You aren't
changing your life, you’re just coming home to yourself. So, what’s “YOUR WORD?

 

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- Jennifer Melcher | MS, RD, CD