The Friday Five: Five ways to infuse more magic into my world in 2026.
(Why, yes. This is a word of the year post.)
If you’ve been hanging around these parts for a while, you know I love choosing a word of the year to guide me. Some of my favorite words in the past have been: magic, miracles, and sparkle. There are always secondary words that make this list and help guide me, but one always feels a bit more special.
And while I still do have an overarching theme for the year, I thought it would be fitting to choose five words or guiding principles to help focus my time and energy when it comes to my theme.
My overarching theme this year: ✨PRACTICAL MAGIC✨
Yes, like the book* by Alice Hoffman (and movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman). It’s an absolute favorite that I will be revisiting this year. But also because I am feeling more and more drawn to creating something out of nothing, reusing and repurposing, and generally becoming more sustainable and intentional in how I walk through this life of mine.
So with that in mind, here are five ways I’m hoping that the theme or mantra of practical magic is going to play out in my life:
Using what I’ve got. A few weeks ago, I walked into my pantry and was overwhelmed with how much stuff was in there. And yet, I continue to buy more and more things before using up what’s already there. Same goes for my closet, make-up drawer, and craft room. Instead of using what I already have, I’m chasing that dopamine hit of NEW and EXCITING. My 2026 goal: use what I already have before buying something new.
Making before buying. Because I have a craft room and pantry filled to the brim with materials and ingredients, I want to be really intentional about putting those things to good use. I’m hoping this will encourage me to experiment and play and flex more of my creative muscles. This also goes for things like soaps and lip balms, and whatever else I have ingredients for laying around.
Repair, reuse, renew. Visible mending has been on my mind for years now. I love the look of it and the sheer potential of what can be created through mending and even embroidering onto clothing. I purchased a Sashiko Stencil duo from Socorro Society so that I could play around with it and also have a bin of projects to mend and renew clothing that has been sitting on my bedroom floor for over a year. I’m really excited to flex my sewing muscles more in 2026 and this is the perfect way to go about it.
Second hand whenever possible. Not only is buying second hand more sustainable, it’s also filled with so much potential and possibility. There is a special kind of magic for finding something unexpected and unique at the thrift store. It’s basically modern day treasure hunting.
Seeking out whimsy. I want to seek out more whimsy and fun instead of drowning in the doom and gloom that was ever present in 2025. I know it will still be there in 2026, but who says I have to focus on it any more than necessary? So I’m seeking out whimsy. I want to do ridiculous things because I can. I want to encourage myself to look at the world with wonder and joy. Somewhere along the way, I have forgotten how to do that and that makes me really, really sad.
Are you a word of the year person? If so, have you chosen your word for the year yet?? Do tell!!
Don’t know what I’m talking about? Susannah Conway has a great resources called the Unravel Your Year workbook and it’s my absolute favorite to use.
X+O,
Emily