Setting Up New Year Intentions

The year of 2020 was incredibly challenging for everyone, and even more so for women and couples trying to conceive. As we start a brand-new year, usually full of new opportunities, we are also forced to live with so much uncertainty about what’s to come. In this article, I would like to invite you to set your intentions so you can live 2021 to the fullest! 

Set intentions… not goals

The beginning of the year is usually a time when we set goals and action plans which we are so motivated to achieve. However, by mid-February, we’ve lost motivation, we’re not sticking to most of our plans and may even feel frustrated that we’re not achieving our goals – if you recognise yourself in this scenario, know that you are not alone. This happens to a lot of us.

This year, I want to suggest something different: instead of setting arbitrary goals, set intentions. These intentions will be the guiding force that will guide your response in every circumstance. Let me explain what I mean by this.

Often, we make decisions, like “I want to lose weight”, “I want to exercise more”, or “I want to eat healthier”. But we usually fail to reflect on why we want to achieve these goals. I find that when we make that reflection, when we know why it’s important that we work towards a certain goal, and we make a decision that is aligned to our heart, mind and soul, it’s so much easier to keep motivated.

Think about your values, what matters to you, and how you would like to feel in 2021. Choose a word that reflects that and set your intention: the energy that you’ll carry with you no matter what happens. In a recent support group, we did this exercise and beautiful intentions were set: thriving, living, openness, grace, love, flexibility, mindful, present… What is your intention?

Keeping the momentum going

Sticking to goals and action plans can be challenging. We are all busy, with work, house chores, family and friends, life can easily get in the way. But there is something that can help you keep the momentum going even in the most challenging days: rituals.

Creating rituals around your intentions, means you are incorporating them into your routine. And even in the busiest of days, it will be easy to stick to your intentions, just as you stick to brushing your teeth or having a shower.

Here’s some examples of rituals that can help:

• Affirmations: choose a sentence that reflects your intention and say it every morning. You can say, for example “I am committed to a day full of love and grace”, or “I am committed to being mindful and present”.
• Journaling: write down your intention and affirmations every night, as a reminder of what you would like to experience.
• Notification: set a reminder on your phone, to notify you every day at a certain time of your intention. For example, set up a reminder with “Take a deep breath, and remember you have the love, strength and flexibility to cope with everything”.

This is a simple strategy to help you set up New Year intentions that you can actually stick to. What decision can you make today that is aligned to your mind, heart and soul? What rituals can you practice to keep motivated? Let us know in comments.