Setting Intentions For The New Year
The new year can feel like a fresh start—a new beginning. It can feel like an opportunity to hit the reset button, yet you’ve been here before, You don’t want to set resolutions and not follow through, why not try setting intentions instead?
Intentions are something you aim for rather than a goal you are trying to achieve. Intentions and resolutions are different in that resolutions are much more fixed, as in, “I will do this” or “I wont do that”. With intentions we have more flexibility. A good start to setting your intentions is to reflect on the last year. Some helpful questions to ask your self are: What worked? What didn’t work? When did I feel most alive in the past year? These questions can help you understand what matters to you.
Setting intentions starts with knowing what’s important to you and why. Knowing what your core values are can be extremely helpful. For example, if you value health and wellness because you want to live a long healthy life or want to be free of pain and illness, then setting an intention like “I will be more mindful of the foods I eat” or “I intend to practice mindfulness throughout my days” could be meaningful intentions to set.
Setting daily routines can be an effective way to maintain your intentions. For example, setting 5-10 minutes aside in the morning for a mindfulness practice or anything else that’s part of your self care routine can make the start of the day a gentle one that aligns with the intention of being more mindful and/or attuned to yourself. Remaining flexible and having self compassion will be important as you try to maintain these intentions.
Remember, setting intentions is a much more gentle way of making meaningful changes to your life. Knowing your values and what matters to you and why, is a good start to setting your intentions. The goal is to make thoughtful and meaningful changes by identifying the “why” and engaging in practices that are sustainable. As you start the year, I encourage you to be mindful of your wants and needs, get clear on what matters, and lean into the discomfort that can come with change-but do so with compassion.
