Have you ever chosen a word of the year that sounded really inspiring on January 1st... only to realize by February that it felt more like a performance review than a guiding principle?

Yep. Me too.

For years, I've chosen words like intentional, discipline, consistency, and rhythms. And while those words weren't bad, they often came with an uninvited sidekick: pressure.

Pressure to do more.

Pressure to improve faster.

Pressure to become a "better version" of myself.

And if I'm being honest, that mindset can start to sound a whole lot like diet culture.

Always striving.

Always fixing.

Always feeling behind.

So this year, I'm doing something different.

My word of the year for 2026 is EXPLORE.

Not hustle.

Not control.

Not discipline.

Not even consistency.

Just... explore.

And friend, I think this simple shift has the potential to change far more than my yearly goals. I think it has the power to reshape how we approach growth, faith, food freedom, body image, and even o...