Why connection is my word for 2026 – and how to choose yours

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Do you choose a word for the year? Or are you thinking about yours for 2026?

Each year, I choose a word to guide how I want to feel and how I want to work and this year it’s Connection.

In the past, it’s been Calm and Space – two things I definitely needed during some pretty difficult times.

But this year, for 2026, it’s all about connection.

In this post, I’m sharing why that word matters to me, how it came about, and some reflections and prompts to help you choose what you want from the year ahead too.

I hope it gives you a moment to pause and think about what 2026 could look like for you.

Listen in on the player link below or you can read the key points as a blog post.

Why choosing a word for the year can make a difference

I used to roll my eyes at the whole “word of the year” thing. It felt so indulgent and a waste of time.

But over the past few years – particularly since I’ve trained as a coach – I’ve come to realise how useful it can be.

Because if you don’t stop and ask yourself what you want your year to feel like, you’re likely to end up bouncing from one thing to the next.

Doing the same things, feeling the same way, and wondering why nothing changes.

So now, at the start of each year, I take a bit of time to reflect.

In 2024, I chose Calm, after a year of emotional upheaval.
In 2025, it was Space, because I’d kept myself so busy the year before I hardly had time to breathe.

Even if I didn’t always get it right, having a word gave me a compass to come back to. And that’s what I want for you too.

Why connection as a word for the year?

Over the last year, the power of connection has come up again and again – for me and for the people I work with.

It’s come through conversations in coaching calls and group sessions.
It’s come through the friendships and collaborations sparked inside my membership.
It’s come through taking time to reflect on what really fuels me (and what drains me).

Connection, for me, means:

Being connected to my own work and doing more of what lights me up.
Being connected to the people I support – my clients, my community, my peers.
And being connected to myself: what I value, how I feel, and what I need to thrive.

This year I’ve signed up to train as an Emotions Coaching Practitioner, and it already feels like the right step – not just professionally, but personally too.

Emotions are such a huge part of working for yourself, and learning how to navigate and support them more is something I know will benefit everyone I work with.

An in-person retreat I ran in Lancashire

How connection features up in my work

If you’re a pet professional, you’ll know that running a small business can be lonely at times.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, thinking everyone else has it all figured out.

In my Pets Get Visible membership, connection is what makes the biggest difference.

Yes, there are resources and training on things like newsletters, awards, press and visibility. But the real transformation comes from:

Feeling supported and seen.
Having accountability without pressure.
Knowing that someone’s in your corner.
Talking things through when you’re stuck.
Celebrating the wins—even the small ones.

At my in-person mastermind day in February 2025, one of the most memorable moments wasn’t about strategy or marketing.

It was when I asked: “Hands up if you’re sitting here thinking everyone else is so far ahead/has it all worked out/so much better than me or words to that effect and what am I doing here?”

Each and every one of us put our hand up.

And that’s why connection matters as it reminds us we’re not alone.

Reflections for your own word of the year

If you’re thinking about setting a word for 2026, here are a few prompts to help you figure it out:

How do you want to feel this year? Peaceful, inspired, grounded, energised?
What do you want to be more connected to? Your work, your community, your values, your creativity?
Where do you feel disconnected right now? Are there parts of your business that feel heavy or misaligned?
What kind of support do you need? Do you thrive with one-to-one support, or do you prefer a community of like-minded people?
Who do you want to be surrounded by? Think about potential collaborations or people who light you up.
What work makes you feel alive? And what work drains you?

These might seem like big questions, but they can help shape what your year looks and feels like.

You don’t need to have all the answers – but it’s worth taking a little time to explore them.

What connection could look like for you

If connection is something you’re craving too, here are a few ideas to help you build more of it this year:

Join a membership or community that helps you feel supported.
Say yes to in-person events or workshops where you can meet people who “get it.”
Find a coach or accountability partner to help you stay on track.
Collaborate with another pet business on a campaign or event.
Reconnect with your values and create offers that feel linked with them.

And if you’re curious about how I could support you in 2026, I’d love to invite you to check out my Pets Get Visible membership, where connection is at the heart of everything we do.