Intentions not resolutions

How you do one thing is how you do everything

This quote from Martha Beck holds true in many ways and on many levels. As our words mean nothing if we don’t back them with actions and this translates to how we approach life in general.

Building the habit

This is the reason why for the first month of the new year I want to encourage that we build the habit of intentionality. To have intentions for our works, words and actions. Most of our routines are now so ingrained that not much thought is put into them but we can decide to be intentional so that even the mundane has meaning. It starts with a little change of how we do things, our attitude to the things we do and reason why we do them. By putting more thought in what we do and how we do it we are able to manage our approach.

Intentions and not goals

Being intentional is not the same as setting goals or having a new year’s resolution. It is the backbone of these concepts. As the year starts many of us will set resolutions and goals but all of these will not happen to our satisfaction if we aren’t intentional about them.

Intentionality, for me is integrating the intangible aspects of life with the tangible to create a holistic existence. It is like having desires to be more mindful of the words I use, or finding ways to be more balanced in all or some aspects of my life. Those internal inklings that you actually can’t physically grasp but guide your actions.

Setting intentions

Being intentional might mean not participating in some old habits or removing yourself from certain environments. It might be joining new environments, getting out of your comfort zone or eliminating certain things from your life and replacing them with something else that would lead to desired outcome or peace of mind. It could even be moving to a different country - a bit drastic but a possibility. The point is in all our actions and thoughts this year let’s be intentional for this is what will give us more control and clarity.

Whatever it is that helps in making this year intentional for you there is no time as now to start practicing that. So how are you looking to live with intentionality this year? Leave a comment or share your take on how you will make this year intentional.

Journal prompt:

What do I need to release or embrace to be more intentional in my ways this year?