New Year, New You?
Have you ever set a New Year’s resolution? Resolutions are an opportunity to make positive change. A new cycle begins every year, allowing us to start with a clean slate. With boundless opportunity and 365 days to achieve it, motivation is easy to find in the beginning. Resolutions and intentions symbolize hope.
Have you ever stuck to a New Year’s resolution? I haven’t. Do you live each day with intention? I do. I’m inspired to explore the differences between intentions and resolutions because achieving what we want isn’t always straightforward. There is more than one path to success, and I invite you to explore the routes with me.
What Are Resolutions?
Resolutions are goals we set for the new year. They can be big or small, short-term or long-term. Common examples include:
- Stop smoking.
- Lose weight.
- Save money.
What Are Intentions?
Intentions are statements that allow us to make positive changes without confining us to specific outcomes. Common examples include:
- To make the most out of each day.
- To treat my body with respect and nourish it properly.
- To spend money mindfully.
Key Differences:
While resolutions can be powerful, they often feel restrictive when we set unrealistic goals. They confine us to unfamiliar behaivors and can feel shallow without meaningful reason. For example, why do you want to read 24 books this year? Without a deeper purpose, resolutions can feel like going through the motions. Worse, when we fall behind, they can feel unsustainable, leading to frustration or guilt.
Intentions hold space for compassion and patience. Unlike resolutions, they are flexible. There are often no quantifiable outcomes. They reflect our values and encourage introspection, making them deeply personal and fulfilling.
- Resolutions focus on rigid goals; intentions focus on the journey.
- Resolutions often rely on external validation; intentions nurture internal alignment.
- Resolutions set rules; intentions act as gentle reminders of what matters most.
Benefits of Setting Intentions
Emotional and Spiritual Benefits
Setting intentions allows us to reflect on what truly matters. They foster emotional well-being and a mindset of self-compassion. Intentions do not punish us, they simply encourage us to do better. They validate our ability to create change in our lives.
Setting intentions allows us to reflect on what truly matters. They foster emotional well-being and a mindset of self-compassion. Intentions do not punish us, they simply encourage us to do better. They validate our ability to create change in our lives.
Alignment with Witchcraft and Spirituality:
Intentions are the heart of spellwork. When we cast spells, we don’t do it for the sake of ritual itself but to direct energy towards a specific purpose. Similarly, setting intentions at the start of the year provides a guiding light, aligning us with our higher purpose or spiritual path. Intentions are inherently magical, shaping our thoughts, energy, and actions.
Flexibility in the Face of Life’s Challenges:
Resolutions often come with rigid, predefined outlines that don’t account for life’s unpredictably. For example, if your resolution is to read 24 books this year and you lose your reading glasses for a week, you might feel like you’re failing. However, an intention like “engage with media that expands my knowledge” allows you to adapt, perhaps by watching documentaries or tuning into insightful podcasts during that time. The key difference? Resolutions can lead to guilt, while intentions foster fulfillment and alignment – even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Connection to Goals and Values:
Intentions tap into our deeper ‘why?’ and foster a stronger connection to what we truly value. Resolutions often feel generic and universal, like “Lose weight” or “Save money.” Intentions, however, are personal and nuanced, allowing for individuality. For example, instead of a resolutions to “save money,” you might set an intention to “spend money mindfully.” This creates space for flexibility and aligns your actions with the life you want to build.
How to Transition from Resolutions to Intentions
Transitioning from resolutions to intentions starts with focusing on the present. Resolutions are fixated on future outcomes, while intentions encourage mindfulness and alignment with daily actions.
Practical steps:
- Reflect on Your ‘Why’: Instead of saying, “I will lose 10 pounds,” ask, “Why do I want to prioritize my health?”
- Reframe Your Goals: Turn “Save $1,000” into “I will make mindful choices with my spending.”
- Create Reminders: Use journaling, affirmations, or vision boards to keep your intention in focus.
- Practice Flexibility: Remember, intentions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Challenges can manifest when setting either resolutions or intentions. When setting resolutions, we may fail due to high expectations or unexpected roadblocks. Setting an intention comes with its own set of challenges. We may not know what we intend to do. Coming up with the intentions can be a struggle. I invite you to reflect on your values in conjunction with your goals, and craft your intention from there. We may also let our intentions slip into the back of our minds.
You can stay consistent and tackle these woes head-on by keeping track with a journal or reminder app. Also, having an accountability partner can be immensely helpful.
Key Takeaways:
This year, I plan to approach life with intention rather than resolution. I’ve set countless resolutions in the past, and I’ve yet to achieve one. This year will be different.
I intend to practice mindfulness through regular meditation. I intend to show gratitude for the people and experiences in my life. I intend to treat others with kindness, love, and forgiveness.
Intentions are about progress, not perfection. If resolutions haven’t resonated with you, try setting ann intention instead. What will you intend for this coming year?