Intentions over Resolutions
Welcoming the New Year with Purpose and Flexibility
As the Gregorian calendar flips to a new year, there’s often a surge of energy around setting resolutions… grand declarations of how we’ll eat better, work harder, or completely overhaul our lives (we’ve all been there!). While these intentions are often rooted in hope, I can’t help but notice how the rigid nature of resolutions can sometimes feel heavy, especially in the heart of winter when the world around us is still quiet and resting.
But what if, instead of resolutions, we embraced the idea of setting intentions? To me, intentions feel lighter, more flexible, and a bit kinder to ourselves. They’re not about fixing what’s “wrong” but about gently aligning with what feels meaningful and true to our individual lives.
Over the past few years I’ve started to part ways with resolutions and instead embrace intentions, and I want to share some reasons as to why I personally think they can be a better fit for some people.
Why Intentions Work Better Than Resolutions
Resolutions often come with an all-or-nothing mindset: “I’ll go to the gym five days a week” or “I’ll never eat sugar again.” When life inevitably throws us a curveball, these rigid goals can crumble, leaving us feeling defeated and that we’ve “fallen off the wagon” or “failed”. I saw this play out all too often during my time as a health coach… it was almost inevitable.
However, when we’d talk about setting intentions and smaller more attainable “baby step” goals, there was almost always a different outcome. You see, intentions offer room to grow and adapt. They’re not about achieving perfection but about moving toward something that feels fulfilling. The give us space to be human which is incredibly necessary for us today (given the schedules, expectations, responsibilities, etc. we all have). How might an intention look different than a resolution? Well, instead of saying, “I’ll write a book this year,” you might set the intention to “nurture my creativity through writing.” The outcome could very well be the same, but this intention allows for progress, whether that’s a daily journaling practice or drafting chapters when inspiration strikes.
Winter’s Energy: A Season for Reflection
If we were to take a cue from Mother Nature, we notice that winter’s natural rhythm supports this gentler approach. It’s a time for quiet reflection, not hurried action. In the same way that seeds lie dormant in the soil, we can use this season to plant ideas and dreams without rushing to see immediate results.
Another piece I like to think about is how, energetically, the year doesn’t truly begin until March, with the arrival of the Spring Equinox. This is when nature awakens, bringing a surge of energy and renewal to the world around us. Until then, winter invites us to honor the slower pace and focus on rest, introspection, and intention-setting. By aligning with and embracing this natural energetic cycle, we can ease into the year with clarity and purpose, rather than pushing ourselves to take action prematurely.
This slower pace invites us to get clear on what truly matters. What are the values that matter most to you and how are those reflected in your life? What feelings do you want to carry into the year ahead? What small, meaningful steps can you take toward those?
photo credit: via Canva
Setting Intentions for the New Year
If the idea of setting intentions for the New Year is sounding more appealing than resolutions for you, here are a few of my favorite ways to set intentions that feel aligned with both the season and your personal rhythms:
Reflect on the Past Year
Take time to think about the past year and honor the lessons, challenges, and joys that is brought you. Journaling prompts like “What am I proud of from last year?” or “What did I learn about myself?” can be great starting points.Choose a Guiding Word or Theme
Instead of a list of resolutions, consider choosing a word or theme to guide you. Words like “connection,” “growth,” or “peace” can serve as simple touchstones when making decisions throughout the year. And, a world can easily be implemented into your day-to-day as a reminder (like a post-it on your fridge or written on your bathroom mirror).Make Space for Flexibility
Life is unpredictable, we know this, so set intentions that leave room for adjustment. Instead of rigid goals, think about how you want to feel or the values you want to embody—for example, “I’ll focus on prioritizing rest when I feel overwhelmed.”Create Rituals to Anchor Your Intentions
Rituals and simple practices can make your intentions feel tangible… and these don’t need to be any grand activity. Light a candle with some calming music while you journal, create a vision board by cutting out magazine images or sketching one out your own (or make a digital one to save as a wallpaper on your phone or computer), or simply take a mindful walk to reflect on what you’re calling in for the year ahead.
A Gentle Reminder
The energy of New Year’s can often feel like a push to “get it all right”, but nature reminds us that everything unfolds in its own time. As Lao Tzu once said “Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished”. Just as spring blooms after months of winter rest, our intentions will grow when nurtured with patience and care. By focusing on what feels meaningful rather than what looks impressive, we can approach the year ahead with a sense of purpose and peace, knowing we’re aligned with what feels most authentic to us individually.
So this January, let go of the pressure to resolve and instead lean into the beauty of intention. What seeds will you plant for yourself this year?
Ready to connect with the magic of winter?
The “Celebrating Winter” ebook is your companion for embracing the energy of winter, offering seasonal rituals, self-reflection prompts, and practices that encourage introspection and rest during the season.
