Why Authenticity Is My Word of the Year
If you’ve been reading my posts lately, I have to believe you saw this one coming! I think this is the first year that I’ve decided to write a post about my word of the year, but it’s a word that didn’t come into my life softly…it came in screaming and I have to honor that!
If there’s one thing I’m focusing on this year, it’s authenticity. Authenticity, for me, is about coming home to myself and that’s been kind of a long, hard journey! Making choices that feel right in my body and spirit, even if they don’t always look impressive or make sense to anyone else. When I’m being real with myself, everything flows a lot easier.
Authenticity can be hard but not because I don’t want to be myself…quite honestly…it’s hard because I’m finally learning just who I am! I know I’ve come so far, but I’ve navigated some pretty hard stuff over the past 10 years and getting past that is….I think, finally allowing me the time and energy to get to know me!
Being visible is part of my everyday work. As a content creator, I want to show up consistently because it’s what I do, but that consistency can sometimes come with pressure to always be “on,” positive, and put-together…even on days when real life feels heavier or quieter and we all have those days!
There isn’t always rhyme or reason to the flow of life and how you feel when you wake up in the morning. There are days when creating takes a lot intention and energy and days when creating seems easy and everything just flows out of me. On the hard days, it’s easy to lean into what’s familiar or expected instead of what feels fully aligned…sharing out of routine rather than from a place of alignment. As far as my content goes, inauthenticity can sneak in from moving too fast without checking in with myself. It also sneaks in when I’ve taken on a collaboration because of the money and not because of the love of what it is! I’m committed to being honest about this and to the fact that life is busy and I often get caught in the cycle of “get it done and on to the next”! I want to be very clear that none of the brands I’ve worked with are bad brands…they just always haven’t been ones that I truly love…
So this year, authenticity looks like showing up with more awareness of how I’m feeling. Pausing before I create, honoring where I actually am on the given day, and leaning into what I genuinely love…what I’m wearing, cooking, sharing, and where I’m going. Being real doesn’t mean oversharing or constant joy; it means showing up with heart, honesty, and alignment, even (and especially) while doing the work.
So…in this post, I’m sharing how I plan to be my most authentic self (and get to know her and love her) in 2026!
10 Ways I’m showing up as myself (and Creating a Better Year)
I’m choosing progress over perfection
I believe in showing up as my best real self…so I’m taking time to figure out just who that is! I’ve been so busy the past year (or so), that I’ve lost sight of continuing that Journey of Becoming I was on! I do know that being intentional and honest, while still allowing space for growth is a good place to start.
I’m learning to let go of my perfectionist tendencies…however…creating quality, polished content matters to me because it reflects the care I try to bring to my life in every area…home, holidays, etc. This care is part of living a beautiful life but realizing that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Life is inherently messy, and going with the flow matters more than getting everything exactly right. Some of the best moments happen when I stop overthinking (and micromanaging) and let life unfold. It gives the Universe a chance to step in and surprise us!
You may enjoy reading my Substack post about The Art of Lingering. Lingering to notice a bit of beauty in the mundane or even just to hear the stillness during the chaos!
I’m protecting my energy like it actually matters
Not everything deserves my time or emotional bandwidth. I’m paying attention to what feels good, what feels draining, and trying to honor those cues without guilt. As I said in an earlier post…I will only post things I love here on the blog. I’ve already turned down several collaborations because they just didn’t feel right for me and I think that’s a huge step forward. I have to trust that collaborations will come along that are in alignment with what I want and love to do!
I’m listening to my body instead of pushing through
This one is huge for me this year! I’ve always worked out and exercise has been an important part of my life, but last year, I was so busy that I let it go for the most part. My body is letting me know that it’s not happy with me. I’ll start small with longer dog walks and yoga in the evenings before bed, but I am definitely getting back into a routine! Rest is also a huge part of listening to my body…slowing down and getting enough sleep are just as important as movement!
I’m “doing” with intention
I don’t need to be busy to be valuable. I’m choosing fewer commitments that actually align with who I am and the season of life that I’m in. This may sound like a duplicate, but it applies to every area of my life…not just work. Spending time with people I care about…my grandchildren, family and friends and nurturing friendships is going to be front and center for me this year! Also, because of our renovation, I didn’t travel much in 2025, but this year, I want to hit the road…Baldy and I are planning a trip to Paris and I want to go and visit some of my influencer friends very soon! Again…it’s about nurturing friendships and having quality experiences!
I’m being honest about what I truly want
Not what I should want. Not what looks good online. I want days that feel good…quite early mornings, time to pause, the sun on my face, family dinners, chaotic beach trips with all the kids, time to read a good book and make soup on a cold day. I want to be organized and calm. I want inspire the people who read my blog…that’s so important to me. I don’t mind hard work, but it has to feel good. Authenticity this year means letting myself want what feels good and true and taking the time to follow through!
I’m talking to myself with more compassion
We can be our biggest critics and our own worst enemies! I’m trying to notice my inner voice and softening it. Sometimes, I have to take a step back and question if the way I’m speaking to myself is a way I would speak to a friend and often, the answer to that is “no”! Growth doesn’t come from being hard on myself…it comes from being aware, kind, and honest and…from staying in my own lane and not comparing myself!
“The way you speak to yourself determines how your brain and body interpret your identity and your future.” ~ Dr. Joe Dispensa
I’m creating from my heart, not from pressure
Less comparison, more intuition. I’m sharing what feels real instead of what feels expected, and trusting that the right people will connect with it. That sounds easier than it actually is, but again…it’s about trust. The right people will find me because they connect with who I am and what I’m trying to do!
“Create what you love, show up consistently, and trust the right people will find you.” ~ Me…the Crazy Blonde!
I’m letting go of what no longer fits
Some things are meant for past versions of me. I’m working on releasing habits, roles, and expectations that don’t fit with who I’m becoming! I realize this won’t happen overnight, but being aware of what I’m thinking, doing (and saying) out of habit and being more intentional about my thoughts and actions is a good starting place. For example…I’ve gotten into a bad habit of not really eating meals and snacking on not so healthy food. Being intentional about grocery shopping and eating a small meal during the day will make me feel so much better.
Also (and this is big), my role as being housekeeper, cook and overall household manager has to change because I can’t do it all! I’m hiring people (and asking Baldy for help) so that I’m free to create more. The past version of me felt responsible for doing everything and that’s not a good business plan! I think that past version of me needed a little validation which I’m trying to let go of! I am enough without outside validation!
I’m celebrating the small, everyday wins
Life isn’t just the big moments. I’m learning to notice the quiet progress, feel the subtle shifts, and the see little signs that I’m on the right path (that’s what authenticity is all about). It’s looking at the big picture and not getting stuck in the minutia of life. I am determined to keep learning and growing and sometimes you don’t see how far you’ve come until you look back. Slow and steady is my mantra because the small things are the big things!
I’m moving through this year in alignment, not a rush
I am committed to jumping back into my spiritual practice…another thing that went down the drain last year! I really don’t know what happened or why, but I do know that I feel better when I meditate, exercise and eat well (duh!!!). I am enrolled in a year long program with my mentor Melanie Ann Layer and can’t wait to get started! I’ve committed to participating in every program…doing the homework and really throwing myself into this work. I am truly excited about this!
Beyond any truth, I believe the answers are are found in the silence… when life is loud and noisy, it’s hard to hear! I believe the Universe leaves us breadcrumbs…small whispers and much guidance if we only take the time to listen. Looking back…that’s the biggest lesson in authenticity I learned last year!
I don’t need to force what’s meant for me. When I stay authentic and present, I trust that things unfold exactly as they’re supposed to.
My mantra for 2026…
I choose authenticity over perfection, alignment over hustle, and honesty over expectation. I trust myself to live this year in a way that feels real, grounded, and true.
Here’s to the best and most authentic 2026!
Thank you for reading today!
~XOXO Suzanne