As we usher in 2022, I can feel the hesitation to go in with the typical ‘new year, new me’ energy. Most of us are feeling tired, exhausted, and simply worn out from these past two years. To say that it’s been challenging is an understatement. If you’re not feeling the familiar excitement for a new year, then let me encourage you to embrace being intentional instead.
Blasting into a new year with resolutions in mind often leads to disappointment within weeks. How many times have you set the same goals year after year – leaving you feeling sad and disappointed? We ride the high of the energy of a new year – leaving the previous year behind hoping for a new start. The truth is that most of us don’t have that fresh year energy and are slowly walking into 2022 with some trepidation and caution.
How is being intentional different? First off, it doesn’t have the ‘puppies are jumping all over the place’ type of energy. It tends to be more calming and thoughtful in nature – it’s a grounding word that asks us to take our time and be reflective. It implies that we’re not just jumping in for shits and giggles, but are more aware of our capacity and making decisions that will fit with our goals and lifestyle.
Practicing intention can be very rewarding. It puts you in the driver’s seat! It takes away the anxiety of responding to one challenge to the next. It means that each big step we take is thought out and reflected upon. Not in a stuffy way, but more of a self-awareness approach to life. It means asking yourself some questions:
- Do I have the capacity for this?
- What do I have to give up to say yes?
- What do I lose/gain in saying no?
- Does this fit in with my current goals and lifestyle?
- Does this support the person I am becoming?
- Do I need to make this decision now? Or can it wait?
Being intentional can radically change how you feel – about life and yourself. It allows you to feel a sense of control and autonomy in your life which we have all been missing in the past two years. Regaining a sense of control is powerful and if I could find a way to put it in a pill, I’d be the richest person on the planet. Because at the core of us – we all have a deep need to be the authors of our own lives, to make our choices freely, and know that we have a say in how our life progresses.
I invite you to change how you approach 2022, let go of the ‘new me’ slogans and instead, replace them with being intentional in your life. Embrace being intentional this year, if nothing else, it might be a worthy experiment to try.
Wishing you intention for 2022,
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