Welcome, 2026.
This year, I will continue to be steady.
This year, I will continue to be steady.
Steady the way Slicing every week helps me lead a writing life, and steady the way the daily sentence challenge has boosted my writing the past few days, too.
Using my emerging foot and ankle muscles to be steady on my balancing mat, to help combat this darn arthritis from settling into my bones.
Putting the phone down at night (after Wordle, of course) to spend steady time with books and feeling the joy of seeing the lists grow on StoryGraph, which I'm trying to use in a steady way.
The calming impact of taking steady breaths when faced with fear or anger or frustration at the cruelty of our government's leaders. And then the commitment to taking steady action - writing letters, giving money, showing up at protests and helping others vote - that helps me feel aligned and productive in defending democracy and holding onto others' humanity. I think there will be a need to be steady in my courage in the coming year, and that courage will only come from steady work, every day.
Giving away books (Little Free Libraries! Teacher friends!) to get the stacks under control, books into the world, and these exploding bookshelves steadier.
This same word grounded me in 2025, and so I step into the near year with a foundation laid and energy to keep this commitment going. Here's to being
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Thank you for this list of words, Morgan Harper Nichols. Even though I did not find a new word, I loved reading your list and feeling its power:
Sometimes our words settle in for another year with us. I love all the ways you've practiced being steady and your commitment to continue for another year. I especially like the effort you expend to spend steady time with books. It does take effort, but so worth it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope I can keep my reading (and writing) life feeling steady. Phone down, book open!
DeleteI really think your word is one that has lasting value and impact on living. The image of you, sailing on a a steady course through the sometimes smooth and other times rocky waves of life pops in my head as I envision you embracing your word again.
ReplyDeleteYES - I love that image, and the reminder that steady is the right word for both calm days and rocky days. Thank you for the boost!
DeleteSteady! I love it! And I love your outline for how it can and/or will show up in your life. Really excited to see how it shapes your year as the days progress.
ReplyDeleteI just put a note in my calendar to plan to return to how my steadiness is going in February - and maybe I can do this in a Slice, too - knowing I'm reporting out can help Slicing be an accountability partner :)
DeleteThere have been years where I have wanted to repeat my one little word, but I never have. I like how you have used this word in so many different areas of your life. I am interested in that daily sentence challenge. I keep a daily sentence journal, but I assumed your challenge might be more in the creative camp???
ReplyDeleteHere's the post that inspired me: https://twowritingteachers.org/2026/01/01/tiny-january/ - it's been great practice and just enough to do feel like I did something steady that day!
DeleteInterested in learning more about your daily sentence challenge. Just thinking about your word, and how it embodies calm confidence.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link, Julie: https://twowritingteachers.org/2026/01/01/tiny-january/ - it's been terrific to carry me into 2026!
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