Every year, linguists and dictionaries propose a “word of the year” that supposedly sums up the collective consciousness. This year, we’ve had some interesting contenders: “brain rot,” “polarization,” and even “demure.” But as I sit here and reflect on the world around me, I can’t help but think that, really, the word of the year should be “vibe.”

Let me explain.

Take polarization. Whether we’re talking about politics, social issues, or the latest debate on Twitter (or should I say X?), everything feels divided. You’re either on one side or the other, and the middle ground seems to have disappeared entirely. Polarization isn’t just a state of being; it’s a vibe. It’s the tense undercurrent that colors how we interact with each other these days, online or otherwise. Every conversation, every news headline—there’s a charged energy to it, like we’re all just waiting for the next thing to explode.

Then there’s “brain rot.” The infinite scroll of social media, the 24-hour news cycle, the meme-ification of real life—it’s all contributing to a kind of collective brain fog. The constant barrage of information has left us with shortened attention spans and a preference for hot takes over thoughtful discourse. Brain rot? Definitely a vibe. It’s the feeling of detachment when you realize that you’ve just doom-scrolled for an hour and can’t remember what you were even looking at.

As we end the year, the vibe is everywhere. Strikes disrupting industries, Party City closing its doors (like, is that the final nail in the coffin for cheap streamers and helium balloons?), and we narrowly avoided a government shutdown. Everything feels on edge. The whole world has this twitchy energy, like we’re collectively holding our breath, waiting for something—anything—to break. Even as we try to stay in the holiday spirit, it’s hard to shake the underlying tension.

And yet, despite it all, we persist. We throw on our holiday sweaters, string up some lights, and pour another mug of spiked hot cocoa. Maybe, just maybe, “vibe” is the word of the year because that’s all we can do—ride the waves, feel the feelings, and hope that next year brings something a little calmer. Because right now? It’s all about surviving the vibe, not getting swept up in it.

So here’s to the end of another twitchy, vibe-filled year. Let’s try to find some joy in the little things, even if the world outside feels a bit chaotic. After all, vibes shift—and hopefully, so will we.