This year, I made “try” my Word of 2026. As someone who has never been nonchalant a day in my life - who is, in fact, extremely chalant!!! - I decided that I wanted to formally honour the choice to be earnest, to be sincere. To revel in the act of being seen trying. I am not effortless. I am effortful. I try. I try really hard. Every day. All the time. And in 2026, damnit, I decided I’d rather go down giving a dozen people the “ick” if one person feels comforted or seen or embraced because I chose to show up keenly and without shame. It’s so hard.
I am the flaky friend sometimes 🫣 I am a spur of the moment on the weekends person. But I added on my calendar a weekday morning before work walk with a friend. I’m pretty proud of myself.
Maybe it’s RSD, but after making my wants known and still getting shut down, it just feels safer sometimes to quit trying.
I mean this in the gentlest way possible when I suggest you ask yourself: who does it help if you quit? And who does it hurt? ❤️
This year, I made “try” my Word of 2026. As someone who has never been nonchalant a day in my life - who is, in fact, extremely chalant!!! - I decided that I wanted to formally honour the choice to be earnest, to be sincere. To revel in the act of being seen trying. I am not effortless. I am effortful. I try. I try really hard. Every day. All the time. And in 2026, damnit, I decided I’d rather go down giving a dozen people the “ick” if one person feels comforted or seen or embraced because I chose to show up keenly and without shame. It’s so hard.
I am the flaky friend sometimes 🫣 I am a spur of the moment on the weekends person. But I added on my calendar a weekday morning before work walk with a friend. I’m pretty proud of myself.
This hits home. Thank you!
Thank you, Amanda…I really enjoy your article ❣️
This is so good! Thank you. We have all been playing it cool for so long. Time for a different mode! Speaking for myself anyway..