Intention Setting in the New Year
Intention setting can be a wonderful practice to help you stay aligned to what’s most important.
NOTE: Be Still Holistic Counseling & Wellness is offering a free online class on Intention & Goals Setting on Monday, January 13th at 7:30. Sign up here!
In a world that glorifies hustle culture, it's easy to feel disconnected from your purpose or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of daily tasks. Living with intention can create solace from never-ending hurry and offer a powerful tool to create clarity, focus, and a sense of purpose. But what exactly are intentions, and how can you harness their power? Let’s dive into understanding intentions and the steps to set them effectively.
What Are Intentions?
Intentions are deliberate thoughts or statements about what you want to experience, create, or achieve. Unlike goals, which are specific outcomes you aim to accomplish, intentions are broader and rooted in the present moment. They’re more like a way of being than a task you “do.” They reflect your values, aspirations, and the energy you want to bring into your day-to-day life.
For instance, while a goal might be, “I want to run a marathon in six months,” an intention could be, “I will listen to and honor my body.” Goals are external achievements, while intentions focus on your internal state and the type of presence you wish to bring to life.
Why Are Intentions Important?
Setting intentions can:
Enhance Clarity: Intentions help you live in a way that truly matters to you, enabling you to align your way of being with your core values.
Increase Focus: By centering your attention on a specific purpose or energy, you’re less likely to be swayed by distractions out of alignment with your values.
Cultivate Truth and beauty: Intentions set your mind on what’s important to you, which helps you set your mind on what’s true, beautiful, and lovely.
Foster Personal Growth: They provide a framework for values based self-reflection, helping you move toward mental, physical, spiritual, and social growth over time.
How to Set Intentions
Setting intentions is a simple yet profound practice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
1. Create Space for Reflection
Begin by carving out a cozy, quiet moment for yourself. Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or simply sitting in silence, allow yourself the space to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and desires. Ask yourself:
What areas of my life feel fulfilling?
Where do I feel stuck or disconnected?
What do I want to invite more of into my life?
This reflective process helps you connect with your authentic self and uncover what truly resonates with you.
2. Be Clear and Specific
While intentions are broader than goals, clarity is still crucial. Avoid vague statements like, “I want to be happy.” Instead, try something like, “I intend to nurture joy and gratitude in my daily interactions.” This specificity helps anchor your intention in a meaningful way.
3. Use Positive Language
Frame your intentions in an affirmative, empowering way. Focus on what you want to embrace rather than what you want to avoid. For example, instead of saying, “I don’t want to be stressed,” you could say, “I intend to create a schedule of calm, ease, and peace.”
4. Align With Your Values
Your intentions should reflect your core beliefs and values. If they’re misaligned, it’s an exercise in futility. For instance, if family is a top priority for you, an intention like, “I am attuned to the people in my home” will feel more authentic.
5. Anchor Them in the Present
Intentions are most effective when they’re rooted in the present. Instead of saying, “I want to become more patient someday,” frame it as, “I will listen with my whole heart today.” This keeps your focus on what you can do now.
6. Write Them Down (and keep them posted where you’ll see them!)
Documenting your intentions either visually or in writing can make them feel more tangible and serve as a visual reminder. Keep them on a vision board (I’m loving X Tiles for vision boards!), journal, on sticky notes, or as your phone wallpaper. The act of writing or posting pictures also reinforces your commitment.
7. Revisit and Revise
Life is dynamic, and your intentions may evolve over time depending on what’s most alive for you. Regularly revisit them to ensure they still resonate with your current values and circumstances. Don’t hesitate to adjust or refine them as needed.
Incorporating Intentions Into Your Daily Life
To truly benefit from your intentions, integrate them into your routine. Here are some practical ways to do so:
Morning Rituals: Start your day by setting an intention before getting out of bed or at breakfast. For example, “Today, I intend to approach my work with creativity and focus.”
Daily activities: During meetings, carpool, meditation, or yoga, bring your intention to mind and let it guide your way of being.
Evening Reflection: Before bed, reflect on how your actions aligned with your intention and what may need to be adjusted.
Visual Reminders: Use vision boards, a special piece of jewlrey, affirmations, or symbols that represent your intention to keep it top of mind.
Final Thoughts
Intentions are more than fleeting thoughts; they are conscious commitments to live in alignment with your values and aspirations. By setting intentions, you can navigate life with greater clarity, purpose, and mindfulness. Remember, it’s not about perfection but about progress and the energy you bring to each moment.
Take a moment now. What’s one intention you’d like to set for yourself today? Write it down, believe in it, and let it guide your journey.
Be Still Holistic Counseling & Wellness specializes in serving women and teen girls who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief & loss, and chronic illness & pain who want to stop feeling exhausted and overwhelmed and start living in balance and freedom.
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