Something shifted in me last year.

It was the Year of the Snake, and I shed a final layer that was dulling my shine.

What’s emerged is a woman who’s so grateful, full of life and love, and ready to make this the year of Vivante Energy.

Vivante? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Vivante is a French word meaning fully alive. Not just breathing or existing or going through the motions – but vibrantly alive.

It’s the woman who walks into a room and brings the energy with her.

The woman who surrounds herself only with people and things that light her up.

The woman who refuses to gossip, complain, or compare – because she’s too busy directing her attention to everything that’s going right.

The woman who savors her coffee, wears the dress, books the trip, and doesn’t wait for permission to fully inhabit her life.

That’s Vivante Energy.

And this year? I’m using this one word to guide every decision I make. Every time I’m at a crossroads, I ask myself: Does this make me feel more alive?

If the answer is yes, I lean in. If it’s no, I gracefully release it.

It’s that simple. And that powerful.

I’m chronicling this journey – the shifts, the revelations, the messy and beautiful process – over on Instagram. If you want to follow along, find me at @tonyaleigh.

And if you want to go deeper into what it actually means to embody Vivante Energy – I just dropped a new podcast episode that breaks it all down. Listen here.

Here’s what I want you to think about this week:

What would change if you gave yourself permission to be fully, unapologetically alive?

With love,

P.S. That Vivante Energy I’m talking about? I’m not surprised it’s coming up for me right now. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse, and it carries once-in-a-lifetime power. 

On February 26 at 12PM PT / 3PM ET, I’m hosting a live class: The Year of the Fire Horse to show you how to channel this into becoming fully alive.  

Reserve your complimentary seat. (Replay provided.)

I’m done waiting for permission.

Permission to rest, to enjoy my life, to take up space, to feel joy before I’ve “earned” it. 

When I stop requiring approval from circumstances or other people to be fully alive, I step into my power.

Hiyo Social Tonic

I discovered Hiyo Social Tonic at a dinner party a few months back, and it’s become my go-to when I want something celebratory – without alcohol.

It’s made with adaptogens and nootropics that actually make you feel good – not sluggish or foggy like alcohol sometimes can. The Watermelon Lime is my favorite, but the Blackberry Lemon is a close second.

I love having it on hand for those spontaneous “let’s toast to Tuesday” moments. Because Vivante Energy deserves to be celebrated, even on ordinary days.

Vivante Energy: How to Become a Fully Alive Woman in 2026

I have a confession: I spent years being extraordinary for everyone else while feeling… a bit flat inside. Not anymore.

This year, I’m embodying a word that captured my soul: Vivante. It means fully alive – and it’s become my filter for everything.

I’m sharing the raw truth about what it takes to wake up inside your own life and the six shifts that move you from supporting character to leading lady.

// TheEDIT

A weekly digital magazine by the School of Self-Image