Making a playlist of songs to listen to in 2025 was one of the most meaningful and most used Word of the Year activities, so I’ve done it again for 2026. I use Spotify, but you can use any music service, or YouTube to make a song list for your word.
I have compiled a playlist of about a dozen songs for my current word, ‘Seasons’. Last year’s playlist had nearly twice that number and I will likely add songs to this year’s playlist as the year goes on. I see it as a living document. It’s also a loosely themed list. There are a few songs that don’t specifically have the word/s season/s in them. I included them because they are meaningful to me and go well with the underlying message of my focus for 2026. I think it’s good to stay flexible and go with what stirs the heart.
When on Spotify, I put my word into the search box and listened to what came up, as well as some of the recommended songs listed at the bottom of the webpage.
If you are interested, here is the link to my ‘Seasons’ word of the year playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/247kbXsUIRc3ze9VfrdVK5?si=8209e5a70f86433e
Behr Color of the Year 2026
As mentioned in a previous post, I’m putting my collection of ‘Seasons’ quotes in a Quotes journal shown behind my Word of the Year notebook. Because the playlist has been so meaningful the past year, I included a spread in my Word of the Year journal that lists the songs and artists, with room to add more during the year.
To find out more about the quotes journal and why I made the change, visit this previous post: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/word-of-the-year-2026-journal .
In the same ‘Word of the Year’ journal used last year, I made a title page that is easily found because I overlapped a piece of Washi tape along the edge. The page went fast because of the extensive use of Washi tape. I also made a pocket that currently holds a card with my focus verse for the year. The pages following are shown in the photo below - Scripture I know I will revisit often during the year.
Make a fun pocket in your journal
There is a tutorial I made for Archer & Olive on their website. It’s fun and easy! If you purchase anything on their site, you can receive 10% off your purchase at Archer & Olive by using the code Valerie10. Here is the link to the tutorial shown in video and step-by-step photo form: https://www.archerandolive.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-pocket-in-your-journal-using-washi-tape?aff=816
This year my Word of the Year set-up is super simple with easy layouts, use of Washi tape, and space left to add more info such as Scripture, songs, etc.
Usually I would put my definition page after the title page and I totally forgot, even though I had it printed out on my clipboard. I’m still going to do my definition page, but will add it after the Playlist spread instead. Flexibility and giving myself grace is key for every season this year. It feels more free…
This year, may you be filled with music of hope!
Be blessed!
Valerie
Your Word focused e-course
If you want to dig deeper into your word and expand your creative techniques, check out my online course ‘A Beautiful Word.’
Further Word of the Year Inspiration
Here are a few previous blog post links about choosing and keeping a journal with a word focus for the year.
How to choose a word of the year
How I explore my word of the year
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/word-of-the-year-2025-journal
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/journals-set-up-2025-washi-tape
Recent 2026 blog posts to check out:
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/word-of-the-year-2026-journal
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