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My Word of the Year for 2026: FlowWard

@kaytspapertrail -

Every December, I start thinking about the year ahead - not in terms of rigid goals or impossible resolutions, but in terms of how I want the year to feel.

For 2026, my word of the year is FlowWard.

OK, I know it's not a real word - but I wanted something that embodies both going with the flow but still going forward. 

Not forward in the hustle-y, grind-yourself-into-dust sense.
And not flow as in drifting aimlessly and hoping things work out.

FlowWard is about moving ahead gently, deliberately, and sustainably; making progress without forcing it.

Why “FlowWard”?

For a long time, productivity felt like pressure to me. Do more. Be faster. Push harder. Keep up. Somewhere along the way, that mindset stopped working. It led to burnout, stalled projects, and the constant feeling that I was behind—even when I was doing a lot. 

And that's all before crashing into heap physically and literally getting behind.

FlowWard is my rejection of my previous approach.

It’s the idea that progress doesn’t have to be loud or stressful to be real. That forward movement can coexist with rest. That structure can exist without rigidity. I can build things - content, routines, systems, creative work - without sacrificing calm.

FlowWard means:

  • Choosing momentum over urgency 

  • Choosing consistency over intensity 

  • Choosing clarity over chaos 

  • And most of all: progress over perfection

What FlowWard Looks Like in Practice

This word isn’t just a vibe; it’s a filter I want to run my decisions through in 2026.

When planning:

  • Am I creating systems that support me, or ones I have to fight?

  • Does this plan allow for real life, low-energy days, and flexibility?

When working:

  • Am I moving things along in small, doable steps?

  • Can this be done more simply or more gently?

When creating:

  • Am I forcing output, or letting ideas develop at their own pace?

  • Does this feel aligned—or just obligatory?

FlowWard gives me permission to move slowly and intentionally, without feeling like I'm being lazy. To keep going without burning out. To trust that showing up steadily is enough.

FlowWard and My Planners

Of course, this word shows up most clearly in how I plan.

In 2026, my planner isn’t a place to cram every hour full. It’s a place to:

  • Capture priorities, not pressure

  • Track progress without judgment - tomorrow really is another day

  • Embrace white space

FlowWard planning means planning as support, not surveillance or prescription.

Some weeks will be full. Some will be light. Both are allowed—as long as I’m still moving in a direction that matters to me.

An Invitation (If You Want One)

If you’re choosing a word for the year—or even just a mindset—I’d love for you to borrow FlowWard if it resonates.

You don’t need to sprint into 2026.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to keep moving—gently, intentionally, and in your own way.

Here’s to a year of calm progress, quiet consistency, and forward motion that actually feels good.

Here’s to FlowWard. 🍻

🎊Happy New Year🎉

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