2 random screenshots chose “refining” and “harmony” as my 2026 vibe. Your post is timely because the refining I want to see in 2026 is harmony with the here and now. Perimenopause unmasked ADHD and I feel like I’m either trying to solve every problem until the end of time or in the depths of despair because I can’t. Now does have a “cosmic weight” and I want to learn to appreciate that
i love that refining kind of has a harmony to it when you break it all down. and welcome to the unmasked adhd club. You are at home among people who will get 15 tabs into a spreadsheet all full of information and ideas only to never open that spreadsheet again under the weight of all the pressure it holds
I don't have a word for 2026 yet unless makeittonovember counts. At work someone asked me what kind of animal I want to be in 2026. Let's go with owl. Watchful and calm? Sure. But I refuse to start eating rodents. I do have a word for this essay though: reallygood.
I saw No Country for Old Men in the theater when I was like, 16, and it blew me away. THIS IS CINEMA, I thought. And I thought I was very cool for liking such a "weird" movie. I tried to share it with my dad, but he was already in his "I don't like to watch dark stuff anymore, the world is too dark already" era. It's been a few years since I've revisited the movie, and I think I need to rewatch with a closer eye. There's no way its themes really sunk all the way in at that age.
All that to say, it's cool that you're sharing films like this with your son.
This year was weird for me, too. For a lot of the reasons you mentioned, but some of my own, too. I broke up with a boyfriend of seven years (at 33. Yikes!) after a lot of time of indecision. This year's word is Onward. I will forget it by March 1.
I wish there were film literacy classes we could audit after college just to be able to bond over discussions about weird and emphatically "THIS IS CINEMA" movies because No Country would be at the top of that list.
I know the break up must have been incredibly difficult to lead up to and actually go through with, but it sounds like you have the right mindset about moving on, REGARDLESS of how long you actually remember your word for the year. Good job by YOU!
THIS: “ One of the worst things theology can do is prioritize the later at the expense of the now, but I urge you to defy that presettling of your accounts because the promise of meaning in the future drains the present of its cosmic weight.”
Thank you for that thought nugget to take into 2025.
I got divorced, moved, and changed jobs in 2025. I didn’t have a word, but in hindsight it would be “Aaaaaaaaaaa!”
No word for 2026 either. Just a plan to accept the new season I’m in, find the joy in small quiet moments, and hope our democracy survives 2026.
Even one of those things in 2025 is a HUGE DEAL, so I think you've got the right idea. And while "acceptance" can sometimes feel like a consolation or simple thing, I've often found it to be very difficult, but also very empowering.
I can honestly say that Sunday Night Lights is one of the most fun and relevant things I’ve ever read. I was behind on my Substack notifications/emails which means I was lucky enough to get to read the first several chapters in one sitting and WOW I was blown away. I don’t know anything about the publishing world except that it sounds rough, but trust that you have found your audience right here! I can’t wait to keep reading it!!
This is really really good, Knox. Thank you for writing it; it’s timely with the book I’m reading right now that you might like — From Stregnth to Strength by Arthur Brooks. (I thought it was for old people, but it turns out it’s not. It’s for middle-aged people like us.)
I don’t remember my word for last year. Typical. But I think this year’s word is ‘resilience.’ We’ll see.
My 2025 words was adventure. I did a ton of intentional travel, some of it outside of my natural comfort zone, so "adventure" was fitting. I don't have a word for 2026 yet, haven't felt one resonate yet. I have time though, I usually wait until my bday on the 17th to put it in motion :)
One that does keep popping up, though, is "becoming." Along with adventure, 2025 was filled with shedding. And I am starting to this year is one of seeing what grows fresh.
adventure sounds amazing. and i like the idea of being patient with the word as it's a thin line between picking a word and forcing the year in a certain direction VS seeing how it naturally progresses, as I'm clearly learning
2 random screenshots chose “refining” and “harmony” as my 2026 vibe. Your post is timely because the refining I want to see in 2026 is harmony with the here and now. Perimenopause unmasked ADHD and I feel like I’m either trying to solve every problem until the end of time or in the depths of despair because I can’t. Now does have a “cosmic weight” and I want to learn to appreciate that
i love that refining kind of has a harmony to it when you break it all down. and welcome to the unmasked adhd club. You are at home among people who will get 15 tabs into a spreadsheet all full of information and ideas only to never open that spreadsheet again under the weight of all the pressure it holds
Did you see into my Google drive?!? :)
I don't have a word for 2026 yet unless makeittonovember counts. At work someone asked me what kind of animal I want to be in 2026. Let's go with owl. Watchful and calm? Sure. But I refuse to start eating rodents. I do have a word for this essay though: reallygood.
TIRED: coming up with your word of the year
WIRED: coming up with which animal you will be for the year
Damn, this post hit hard. I felt it in my bones.
Thank you, Rob!
I didn't know I was supposed to pick a word until now. This is going to take up most of my year.
oh no chad. what have you done
let's start a new show called No Podcast For Old Men about getting older
DONE
I saw No Country for Old Men in the theater when I was like, 16, and it blew me away. THIS IS CINEMA, I thought. And I thought I was very cool for liking such a "weird" movie. I tried to share it with my dad, but he was already in his "I don't like to watch dark stuff anymore, the world is too dark already" era. It's been a few years since I've revisited the movie, and I think I need to rewatch with a closer eye. There's no way its themes really sunk all the way in at that age.
All that to say, it's cool that you're sharing films like this with your son.
This year was weird for me, too. For a lot of the reasons you mentioned, but some of my own, too. I broke up with a boyfriend of seven years (at 33. Yikes!) after a lot of time of indecision. This year's word is Onward. I will forget it by March 1.
I wish there were film literacy classes we could audit after college just to be able to bond over discussions about weird and emphatically "THIS IS CINEMA" movies because No Country would be at the top of that list.
I know the break up must have been incredibly difficult to lead up to and actually go through with, but it sounds like you have the right mindset about moving on, REGARDLESS of how long you actually remember your word for the year. Good job by YOU!
THIS: “ One of the worst things theology can do is prioritize the later at the expense of the now, but I urge you to defy that presettling of your accounts because the promise of meaning in the future drains the present of its cosmic weight.”
Thank you for that thought nugget to take into 2025.
I got divorced, moved, and changed jobs in 2025. I didn’t have a word, but in hindsight it would be “Aaaaaaaaaaa!”
No word for 2026 either. Just a plan to accept the new season I’m in, find the joy in small quiet moments, and hope our democracy survives 2026.
Even one of those things in 2025 is a HUGE DEAL, so I think you've got the right idea. And while "acceptance" can sometimes feel like a consolation or simple thing, I've often found it to be very difficult, but also very empowering.
I can honestly say that Sunday Night Lights is one of the most fun and relevant things I’ve ever read. I was behind on my Substack notifications/emails which means I was lucky enough to get to read the first several chapters in one sitting and WOW I was blown away. I don’t know anything about the publishing world except that it sounds rough, but trust that you have found your audience right here! I can’t wait to keep reading it!!
Also only one dog???
All the other comments are so insightful, but i thought you had 2 dogs??
Bless you for asking the hard hitting questions.
I literally came here to ask this lol. Did Luna die?!?
I still have two but only one (Bruce) that I can count as somewhat vaguely "trained." Luna remains ungovernable.
This is really really good, Knox. Thank you for writing it; it’s timely with the book I’m reading right now that you might like — From Stregnth to Strength by Arthur Brooks. (I thought it was for old people, but it turns out it’s not. It’s for middle-aged people like us.)
I don’t remember my word for last year. Typical. But I think this year’s word is ‘resilience.’ We’ll see.
Thank you for reading! Just added Strength to Strength to my car
Love Arthur Brooks and From Strength to Strength. His podcast is a great listen, too!
It’s a fantastic podcast!
Also, ‘strength’ is hard to spell.
My 2025 words was adventure. I did a ton of intentional travel, some of it outside of my natural comfort zone, so "adventure" was fitting. I don't have a word for 2026 yet, haven't felt one resonate yet. I have time though, I usually wait until my bday on the 17th to put it in motion :)
One that does keep popping up, though, is "becoming." Along with adventure, 2025 was filled with shedding. And I am starting to this year is one of seeing what grows fresh.
adventure sounds amazing. and i like the idea of being patient with the word as it's a thin line between picking a word and forcing the year in a certain direction VS seeing how it naturally progresses, as I'm clearly learning
No Country For Old Men is so good.
mannnnnn, the final scene always gets me
Watched it recently with my older kids and I never really noticed how much of the book is about determinism v free will. Also, that haircut.