2026 is my tenth year to choose a Word of the Year.
For the past decade, these words have become touchstones for the opportunities, challenges and decisions of each year. Looking back over each of them shows me a roadmap of where I’ve traveled on this author journey.
The Words
- 2017: FOCUS
- 2018: COMPLETION
- 2019: PERSEVERANCE
- 2020: WISDOM
- 2021: COMMITMENT
- 2022: INFLUENCE
- 2023: LEGACY
- 2024: CLARITY
- 2025: SHIFT
- 2026: EXHALE
I’m always amazed at how the word fits its year, in some cases feeling somewhat prophetic. The best example of that is 2020. None of us knew in January how much wisdom we would need.
EXHALE: Inspiration
I’ve been pondering what my word might be for the past month or so, and I picked up and tried on a few different ones. None felt quite right to me, so I looked within to continue my search … more on that in a moment.
My friend and critique partner, Mea Smith, and I had a conversation about our struggles with finding this year’s word and sharing what our goals and focuses are and swapping book suggestions that might help. Afterward, I downloaded the Libby app to access one of the books she recommended that my library only has on audio.
Of course, I got distracted by all the shiny things in the catalog and quickly downloaded one of my favorite magazines, Magnolia. Joanna Gaines and her team chose EXHALE as the theme for their Winter 2025 Journal. I read her letter from the editor about their choice and the team’s explanation of “Why Exhale?” They shared their definition of the word: “the act of letting go, expectant of the peace that follows.”
Their reasons for choosing the theme resonated with everything I’d been looking for, and it made perfect sense and simply … fit.
EXHALE: Purpose
My search for the proper word had triggered an introspection which led me to consider what I want—and don’t want—in this new year. I know there are several things in my life—responsibilities, burdens, time-takers—that need to be cut out. Over the past year, I’ve added a huge obligation that has halved the time I have, but it’s necessary for this season. I also know the things I truly value most aren’t receiving the focus they deserve.
And so, as I considered words like foundation and simplicity or simplify, they danced close to where I saw my focus resting this year. I want to return to the basics, the most important aspects of life, the pieces that truly matter; to do that—and do it with my whole mind—I need to strip away the things that don’t matter so much because they steal precious time, which is something we have little of anyway. I need to streamline what I do and keep my tasks simple and focus on their most vital aspects with all the energy and passion I can.
I wondered how I would find one word to encapsulate the two sides of what this year needs to be for me—a release and a readying.
Enter: EXHALE.
EXHALE: Tagline
I was further inspired by Joanna’s explanation of the dual meaning of EXHALE for her team’s purposes. Three sentences really stand out.
“The first type of deep breath softens us and helps us let go of all that came before, all that we’ve been carrying. It pushes against the world’s pace and lets us go at our own. …
“The second kind of exhale helps muster some focus, some strength, some ‘here goes nothing’ gumption that fuels us for what’s next.”
Reading their interpretations solidified EXHALE as my 2026 Word of the Year and led me to draft my own tagline of sorts for what this word means for me in this coming year: out with the extraneous; fuel the extraordinary.
EXHALE: Expectations
I have already chosen my author roles that will remain and those that will either go entirely or will at least shift a bit. Already, I simplified how I approach my role with 12 Months of Reading, while maintaining its heart and purpose for readers.
Beyond my author roles, I’ve identified my top three priorities for this year and have been thinking how they can remain at the top of my pyramid without adversely affecting the duties that must remain beneath them.
What I expect for my author life in 2026 includes the following:
- My weekly newsletter will be the best place for updates when they’re available. https://bit.ly/JoyERancatoreNewsletter
- My main reader experiences will continue: 12 Days of Reading, 12 Months of Reading, LAM Book Club, LAM Summer Reading Challenge.
- I will continue to write (and, truthfully, I anticipate MORE writing in 2026), but publishing may happen more slowly or in different ways. Also, after two previously scheduled events in the first half of the year, I’m not sure how many signings or appearances I’ll commit to in the future.
With my word in place, I feel more confident in moving forward in 2026 and look forward to uncovering the great things in store as I learn to EXHALE.
Do you set a Word of the Year? What is yours? Why did you choose it or are you unsure of its purpose yet? Are you still wrestling with finding the right word for you?