Choosing Growth Over Resolutions

Word of the year for 2026 written by one of our therapists, Beatriz Rodriguez, AMFT.

As a new year begins, there can be a lot of pressure to set resolutions—to change habits, fix perceived flaws, or become a “better” version of ourselves. While intentions like these are often well-meaning, they can sometimes feel overwhelming or discouraging, especially when progress doesn’t happen as quickly or smoothly as expected.

This year, instead of focusing on a New Year’s resolution, I’m choosing one guiding word: growth.

Growth doesn’t demand perfection or immediate change. It invites awareness, curiosity, and compassion. Rather than asking, “What do I need to fix?” growth asks, “What can I learn?” It allows space to notice patterns, emotions, and behaviors without judgment.

In therapy—and in life—growth often looks like small, meaningful steps. It’s choosing progress over perfection. It’s recognizing that setbacks are not failures, but opportunities to understand ourselves more deeply. Growth honors the fact that healing is not linear and that every step forward, no matter how small, matters.

By focusing on growth, the pressure to “get it right” begins to soften. There’s room to make mistakes, to pause, and to move forward at your own pace. Growth reminds us that change doesn’t have to be forced to be real.

As you move through this year, you might reflect on what growth means for you. It could be learning to set boundaries, practicing self-compassion, building awareness, or simply allowing yourself to be where you are right now.

Less pressure. More progress. Growth, in its own time.