My 2026 word of the year is… DELIGHT

As in, delight in the little things and big things, delight in travel, delight in rest, delight in books, delight in people.


Five things to share about this week…

1 exercise. You all know my terrible relationship with exercise. Well, I went to lift weights yesterday, and today I swam laps, back and forth, in one of the pools at the YMCA. I know it’s early in the year, I know I mayyyy still be running on January energy fumes but STILL. Twice in one week is really good for someone who comes from ZERO.

2 we got my son a big boy desk, a big boy book case, and a big boy chair! In his room, for his 6th birthday (next week). T also got him bins for three hundred million Legos that R owns. The room looks so much better.

He now calls his room “his office”

3 I took a sick day off work this week because my daughter had flu! T and I alternated taking off work. By Thursday, she was fever free and went to school. Thankfully, nobody else in the family seems to have it. We wore masks around her in the house.

4 Reading. I finished Drowned by Therese Bohman. In essence, the book was about gaslighting, domestic abuse and mind twists. It was set in Sweden. I loved the language and the specific descriptions of northern nature, but maybe not the plot.

I started The Relaxed Woman, recommend by Nicole (thanks Nicole!) and Less on audio. I am loving both!

5 Today was an *almost* shouldless day! I had my annual physical appointment so I took a day off work.

Digression to discuss how I can be my own worst enemy:

I would always, always cram my annual physicals either after work, or on Saturday mornings. This year Saturdays we’re not available till May (!!), and no way I was going there after work. That’s what my sick days are FOR. They gave me a doctor’s note, no questions asked. I also am planning to take the sick day to go for my mammogram and breast ultrasound in April. And I’m not gonna feel bad about it.

Back to the shouldless day. I had my annual physical, then stopped by a diner to have breakfast, plan and journal, then I went swimming at the Y, then I came home and took a delicious nap. I then had to tidy the house a bit because we have sitter coming tonight: T and I have a date night! Dinner and Anaconda movie with Jack Black. I love Jack Black. Everyone loved Jack Black.


How was your week?

Care to share your word, if any?


13 responses to “Friday Five + Word of the Year”

  1. Michelle G. Avatar

    Delight is a perfect word! It always seems that when I look for delight, I find it, even in the smallest ways. I hope you do too, all year long. Yes, you should use your sick days for those appointments because that is what they’re for! Good job!

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    1. Daria Avatar

      Awww, hi dear Michelle! Thanks for stopping by :)) and happy new year!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Sue Peterson, MA Avatar

     I am delighted that your son refers to his room as his office now! I love that! My week has actually been pretty good. I worked partial days and was the only one in the office for the most part, so I got a ton done. I’ve changed words a couple of times. I started out with PRACTICE because I feel like I need to be more focused on process than product. Then, I changed to MANIFEST or MANIFEST JOY. But, I think I’ve finally settled on FULFILLED. I think that a lot of my struggles are rooted in feeling unfulfilled, but not knowing exactly what I need. So, I want to figure out what it is that makes me feel fulfilled. Good for you on the workouts! Still struggling in that department in 2026.

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  3. Lisa’s Yarns Avatar

    I am really proud of you for taking a mostly shouldless day. I know that can be hard for you but it’s such a gift to give yourself! I love how R’s room turned out! And you get so many gold stars for swimming laps! That is my least favorite form of exercise. I wish I liked swimming but I just don’t at all!!

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    1. Daria Avatar

      Oh, I also survived a cycling class this morning. Barely lol

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    2. Daria Avatar

      Oh, I find swimming similar to a meditation lol

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  4. Grateful Kae Avatar

    We saw Anaconda with the boys over the new years weekend and it was so fun! Reminded me of the most recent Jumanji remakes which were also funny.

    Love the word of the year and nice to get TWO days off this week!! (Bummer your daughter was sick though.) I feel like the first week back after holidays feels extra intense so you’re lucky to ease back in.

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  5. Nicole MacPherson Avatar

    Yay, I’m so glad you are reading The Relaxed Woman. It’s just so good!

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  6. Nicole MacPherson Avatar

    Hit enter too soon! I also love the word Delight – it is PERFECT!!! May 2026 be filled with many delights for you!

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  7. Coco Avatar

    I love the choice of word, delight! We could all seek more delight, big and small.

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  8. Tina Avatar

    I love your word choice – delight in the little things, delight in everything. It really makes you think of good things and not focus on bad things. I love it.

    I love your son’s “office”. They do tend to grow fast, don’t they?

    I think that is a perfectly acceptable reason to use your sick days. You need to go to the doctor, and why not use those days instead of letting them just sit there?

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  9. Ernie @ nosmallfeetblog.com Avatar

    He now calls it his office. I LOVE this. So much. And he has a Star Wars poster. Good job getting two workouts in. Keep it up, you can do it! I always feel so much better about everything if I work out. It’s great for mental health and stress levels. Ok, I’ll stop preaching. Glad you have shifted your mindset and decided to take a sick day to get your appointments done. I don’t have a word of the year. Is that important? 😉 Oh, I just started reading The Correspondent and it is so good.

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  10. Diane Avatar
    Diane

    Ooh I loved Less. I loved it so much that I don’t want to read the sequel – I thought the ending of the first book was so perfect.

    I started swimming laps this summer at the pool we join in the summer – it is so relaxing. I can’t do it for very long, but I like that it feels very zen to me – just back and forth and back and forth. And no sweating. I think maybe this summer I will get prescription goggles because I didn’t like how I couldn’t see what my kids were up to while I swam since my eye sight is so bad.

    I look forward to hearing about all the things that delight you in 2026!

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