When a friend asked me for my word of the year, I was puzzled. I initially thought she was referring to a word that encapsulated all of 2025. Turns out that it’s about selecting a word that will underline my intentions for the new year, a reminder on how I want to show up in the world and for myself. Hmm, that’s something new.
I don’t make New Year resolutions because I believe you should resolve to do something when you feel ready, not just because the calendar changes. Given everything that happened in the past few months and pushed me out of my comfort zone, adopting a one-word intention to guide my decisions and thoughts for the year ahead seemed like a great idea. Nothing too absolute or limiting; rather, a constant nudge to help me stay aligned with my purpose and maintain control over my own agency.
As this is the first time that I’m doing this, I started by brainstorming a list of words from A to Z. This included:
- B: boundaries / bold
- I: integrity / intentional / ichigo ichie (一期一會)
- N: nourish (body, mind, and spirit)
- T: try / transition / transformation
- Y: YOLO (not many options for“y”)
A handful of words resonated more than others. Some overlapped in meaning – for instance, “intentional” and “purposeful.” Choosing just one word is not easy! After some deliberation, I landed on “clarity”.
Too often, we mould our thoughts and actions to fit other people’s expectations. I’ve been in Singapore for the past two months to spend more time with my family and friends. There’s so much noise – literally and figuratively – that it’s difficult to think clearly. Even though I grew up in Singapore and have spent most of my life here, I still struggle to cope with the pervasive noise, which heightens stress and anxiety, further clouding clear thinking. Also, while it can be empowering to have options, it can also lead to the paradox of choice which can overwhelm one with possibilities.
Clarity cuts through the noise, making space for what truly matters, especially when the mind is muddled. It helps one prioritise, focus better, and take purposeful actions.
By reflecting on my priorities, I hope to see things more clearly and be more decisive in 2026. This applies to many aspects of life, from relationships to personal growth and career. Questions to consider include: How do I want to spend my time and energy? Who do I want to surround myself with? Where do we want to live? How can I better nourish my body, mind, and spirit?
How about you? Do you have a word of the year for 2026?
Angelina Hue 
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