4 New Year’s Intentions I’m Setting for Myself Going into 2021
I’m a huge lover of fresh starts – whether it’s a new week, month or year. I’ve always loved that back to school, brand new feeling that comes with every fresh start! Like opening a new notebook or starting a new task, there’s some kind of magic associated with getting the opportunity to have and give yourself a fresh start. This year, I’m looking more towards setting New Year’s intentions instead of resolutions (I’ll tell you what the difference is) and working towards creating a more positive mindset!
Related Post: New Year, Fresh Start: the Difference Between New Year’s Resolutions and Intentions
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My 4 Intentions for 2021
I’m going to share with you the 4 New Year’s intentions I’m setting for 2021, and what I’m trying to achieve with each intention. I wanted to stray away from my typical practice of creating resolutions, and try a different approach for 2021!
If you want to find out the difference between resolutions and intentions, read this post.
1. Stress Less & Go With The Flow
I’m a planner through and through. I want to know how the story ends. I want to have the comfort of predictability and stability. Change kinda scares me, and to me the unknown has always given me the same feeling as trying to run up the stairs as fast as I could out of fear something would grab my ankles (sorry for any lingering childhood trauma I kicked up there).
I’m also guilty of wanting to change the circumstances, to pine and wish things had turned out differently instead of how they actually did. I’m the queen of convincing myself that if I had just done one thing differently, I would have changed the entire outcome.
While these are all common thoughts to have, they have worn me down over the years. Wanting to change things you have no control over and wishing things turned out a different way can start to become exhausting. To constantly be at war with what is and what you want when there’s no way to change it is frivolous, when you think about it.
This year I want to learn to accept the things I cannot change, and work to change the things I’m no longer satisfied with. I want to learn to let go more and expect less – to take things as they come and deal with them in the moment. Dwelling, worrying, pining and fretting are no longer feelings I want to uphold in 2021.
2. Make More Time for Myself & The Things I love
I want to make a habit of making time for myself each day, and spending more time doing the things I love. Whether this is something that enhances my health and wellness, something I do to relax, something I do to fuel my creative processes or simply something I enjoy, I want to make that my priority this year.
It’s easy when it comes to caring for and serving others (both working in healthcare and blogging) that they’re easy to get consumed by. I’m a firm believer in making time for yourself above all else, and that is a value I have let fall by the wayside. This year, I want to make myself my number one priority and make a point of doing things to restore and preserve my health and wellbeing.
3. Cultivate a Limitless Mindset
Your mindset really does shape how things play out for you. What you manifest becomes your reality – meaning your thoughts, actions and words create the world you live in.
I’ve always been afraid to dream a little too big, for fear of failing. This year, I want to wipe that off the table and start over again. I want to dream limitlessly, even if that means encountering failure along the way. Being mindful of my vocabulary is something that will play a big part in this, especially the use of the word ‘can’t’. I fully intend to write down all of my dreams and goals, no matter how big or small, and make a conscious mind map to figure out how to incorporate them into my lifestyle and future plans.
4. Spend My time More Wisely
Improving my time management, prioritizing my wants and needs and saying ‘no’ to things that stand in the way of me achieving progress in 2021 are things I will need to work on. It’s so easy to say ‘I don’t have time for that’ when I find myself realistically wasting time on things I wish I hadn’t. A big part of finding this extra time for myself is going to require me to tap deeper into intentional living, and figure out where my values, goals and dreams lie. By uncovering more about myself, where I want to and need to spend my time to make these things happen will naturally uncover itself.
MY Wish for 2021
It always sounds a little cheesy to put all of your hope into the promise of a New Year, but I’m unashamed of my love for fresh starts. While I don’t know where exactly 2021 will take me (hard to say considering there is a pandemic going on), what I do know is that I intend to leave 2021 better than I entered it. I intend to discover myself, make time for myself, love myself and honour my dreams, goals and wishes. I’m optimistic that I will find what is meant for me, and walk away from what doesn’t. I’m confident I will make mistakes, continue to learn and grow and make the most of whatever situation I am faced with.
Did you decide to go with New Year’s resolutions or intentions? What do you want to happen for yourself this year?
Great post! Very positive. I do like the idea of new years intentions. Im going to write a list of my intentions for this year too😁Thanks for the inspiration♡
I wanted to try intentions this year instead of resolutions and I already feel more at peace! Can’t wait to see what intentions you come up with! Thanks for reading!
xo
C
Absolutely love these! I’m finding that “making time” is the hardest part so far. I’m really trying to squeeze in at least an hour of reading a day and struggling lol! But as long as I KEEP trying, that’s okay 🙂
That’s such an awesome intention to have! I agree, finding time for ourselves is so hard sometimes!! Even if you don’t make it to the full hour you’ll no doubt reap benefits regardless!
xo
C