Kat’s 2026 Intention Words
I have mentioned before that I don’t typically do traditional “resolutions” for the New Year.
Instead, the last few years I’ve tried to pick intention words meant to guide me through the year.
I mentioned in a recent email that I had picked some for 2026 – and since this is a fifth Thursday of the month, I get to talk about me!
This year, my intention words are Wonder, Healing, & Service.
Let’s chat about what those mean to me.
Intention Word: Wonder
This was the first word that I selected for the year. Wonder came to me fairly organically. This intention word is meant in two specific ways.
- Wonder – the quality of exciting amazed admiration
- Wonder – to feel curiosity.
Wonder – the quality of exciting, amazed admiration. In a nutshell, I’m stating my intention to notice the things that inspire wonder in me and my life. So far this month that has looked like:
- noticing the pure joy of a small child and her willingness to share it
- the softness of my dog’s fur when I hug him
- flying – this always feels like the closest thing to magic I can imagine
Wonder – to feel curiosity. As a coach, this is one of our biggest strengths, being curious. Wondering what something might look like, or could be. Wondering what would happen, or wouldn’t happen.
We are taught to ask questions like, “What would happen if you made choice A?” and “What if you did NOT make choice A?”
I intend to be more curious, more full of wonder. To sharing wonder with clients, family and friends. Instead of giving my opinions, I am intended to be more curious – to wonder more.
This might look like wondering why something happened, instead of judging. (When cut off in traffic, “I wonder if they had a bad day.”) It may look like asking more questions with real curiosity, no expectations. The commitment is stopping to be more curious, in my every day life.
Intention Word: Healing
This is the most difficult of my intention words for the year – Healing. It’s also the most vague. That’s because I’m not making decisions about how or what that healing is going to look like.
What I am intended to do is ask myself “Is this a step toward healing?” more often.
Vulnerability Share – I have been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). I’ve also been diagnosed with anxiety, ADHD, (likely AuDHD), and seasonal depressive disorder (SAD.) In addition, I struggle with fibromyalgia and degenerative disk disease.
So with all of that going on, healing can be slow and definitely not linear. I don’t have excellent health insurance, or a lot of money so my options for things like therapy, trauma informed care, and alternative healing modalities like yoga, somatic body work, etc.
With all of that, I have to be open to healing when and where I can find it, and that’s what this intention word is all about. Healing the body and the soul.
Intention Word: Service
I have always lived a life that included a heavy amount of service. It’s a large part of my identity. For me, that almost always shows up in volunteer work of some sort. I’ve been regularly volunteering in my community since I was about 14 years old – I’m 51 years old now. That’s a lot of volunteering and I’m grateful for every minute of it.
One problem I have encountered is that I agree to volunteer for everything I believe in, and then get burned out. So I need to be more intentional about where I’m offering my time, my money, and yes…..my service.
These are where my commitments are as of right now for 2026.
- International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
- Rainbow Roc
- Rochester Erotic Art Festival
- Queer Pride and related events
That’s quite enough so my intention is to be really careful with offering any more service, much as I may want to.
Thank you for letting me share this with you.
My newsletter with blog is another act of service.
It’s also something that is healing for me.
I wonder what your intentions are for the new year?
If one of them is to get some ADHD Coaching, book a free no obligation call with me today and let’s chat!
Don’t Delay Joy
Kat Sweeney, MCLC