As the confetti and festivities of the holidays finally settle many of us are getting ready to dive headfirst into the time-honored tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. “This year, I’ll go to the gym five days a week,” or “I’ll never touch sugar again.” Sound familiar?
The problem with resolutions, though, is that they’re often as fleeting as the New Year’s Eve party itself! By February, the gym parking lot is eerily empty, and that forgotten box of cookies in your pantry is suddenly looking like a lifeline.
But what if you tried something different this year? Instead of resolutions—those high-pressure, pass-or-fail promises—how about about setting intentions. Curious? Let’s dive in.
The problem with resolutions
The word “resolution” itself feels so…absolute, doesn’t it? You resolve to do something, and the moment you falter, it’s game over. Ate a donut on January 4th? Well, there goes your “no sugar” streak. Missed a workout? Might as well cancel that gym membership, right?
The issue isn’t just the rigidity of resolutions; it’s also the way they’re often rooted in self-criticism. Resolutions can sometimes scream, “I’m not good enough as I am, so I need to fix myself.” And honestly, who needs that kind of energy when we’re already navigating the chaos of life?
Why setting intentions are different
Enter intentions. Setting intentions is less about strict rules and more about creating a guiding principle for your year. Intentions are rooted in values and mindfulness, and they allow room for growth, change, and—get this—being human.
For example, instead of saying, “I’ll lose 20 pounds,” you might set the intention to “prioritize my physical and mental health.” Rather than, “I’ll save $10,000,” you could aim to “approach my finances with mindfulness and responsibility.” Intentions focus on the journey, not just the destination.
Why you need a more flexible approach
Let’s try a little something. There’s a woman, let’s call her Sarah, she decided last year that she wanted to run a marathon. Classic resolution, right? By mid-February, she’d missed a few training runs, got frustrated, and gave up altogether. This year, she’s taking a different approach. Instead of resolving to run 26 miles, she’s set an intention to “make movement a joyful and regular part of her life.”
Now, she’s experimenting with everything from yoga to hiking, and guess what? She’s still building the stamina to maybe run that marathon someday, but there’s no self-judgment if she doesn’t. Sarah’s new mindset makes the journey enjoyable rather than stressful, and honestly, that’s the kind of energy we all need.
How to set intentions
1. Reflect on your values: Ask yourself what really matters to you. Do you value health, creativity, connection, or adventure? Use these values as the foundation for your intentions.
2. Keep It broad but meaningful: Avoid overly specific goals. Instead of “I’ll write a book this year,” try, “I’ll nurture my creativity through writing.” Broad intentions give you room to explore.
3. Write them down: There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper. Jot down your intentions and revisit them often. They’re a compass, not a contract.
4. Check in with yourself: Life happens. Your intentions might evolve, and that’s okay. Regularly reflect on them and adjust as needed.
The bottom line
Here’s the thing: life is messy. You might set an intention to practice mindfulness and then find yourself binge-watching an entire season of a reality show about competitive cake decorating (same). That’s okay. Intentions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress.
So, this New Year, ditch the resolutions and start setting intentions instead. It’s a kinder, gentler way to embrace the fresh start we all crave, and who knows? It might just stick!
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