Setting Intentions, not Resolutions
Intentions are different from goals.
photo by Danielle MacInnes
Goals are external achievements. Intentions are about your relationship with yourself and others.
In my recent post about my 2019 year in review, I noted some pretty big life milestones and highlights that happened for me. It was quite the ride, let me tell you! Career-wise, in my personal life, and a focus on self-care all had time in the spotlight. I know I accomplished big things, but I didn’t check off boxes I’d set out for myself because I’ve realized they weren’t really ‘goals’ to complete. That’s not a bad thing, though, and I’ll get into it.
Near the end of 2018, I’d heard about this intention-setting event from a girlfriend and decided I would attend, because why not? I had never really written down a list of goals, or intentions, or resolutions for the new year as an adult, so this was a great event for me to get that ball rolling. I brought a journal and a pen and sat in my spot to complete the candlelit circle of people in attendance. We were guided to write down the following:
- what are three things/words that describe what you want to call into 2019?
- what made you feel out of alignment in 2018?
- what nuggets of wisdom came from your hardships in 2018?
- what is the essence of each of the three intentions you wrote down?
- “when you have/realize [your intention], what happens within you? in your relationships?”
Now that 2019 has come to an end, I’ve had some time to reflect on what I’d written down and feel like what I wrote was actually more suitable as intentions to carry through life, not just something conquerable in 365 days. I didn’t cross any of them off a list. And, like I said, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
What I wrote wasn’t specific or finite, like “make six figures” or “run a marathon”. They were more abstract ideas, I guess. I won’t get too deep into it all, but I thought I’d share what those three goals/intentions were: releasing self-doubt (“…finding the sweet spot of ‘having a touch of anxiety’ while being confident and aware of my strengths and abilities”), building a deeper connection with my self (self-awareness, what am I doing and what do I want to be doing?), and bringing more stability to my life (work, finances, self-care, caring for others, etc.)
BALANCE. photo by Christophe Hautier
Of course, I want to be rid of self-doubt (who doesn’t?), have a deep self-awareness, and be stable and balanced in all areas of my life. I do have some of these, to an extent, but I also know they are all things that will constantly be evolving as I move through the world and adapt to the changes that life inevitably brings. They aren’t boxes I can check off, and I’m OK with that.
So, now that I’ve got the ball rolling with goal-setting and intention-writing (my seasonal bucket lists have been great for small goals), here are my goals and intentions for 2020, with a little carryover from last year:
Grow my business to be financially viable, collaborate with other like-minded people and create exciting new things, continue making bucket lists with fun activities to accomplish throughout the year. Release self-doubt, build a deeper connection with my self, find stability and balance, immerse myself in and be present throughout the process (not just focused on the end goal).
If you’re a goal and/or intention setter, I’d love to hear what you have planned for this year (and onward). Let me know in the comments below or send me a message!
Hello! Catherine here.
I’m a Vancouver-based interior designer and love all things creative! I’ll be sharing things that inspire me, posting design tips and DIY projects, chatting about all kinds of topics, and hopefully inspiring some people to make little changes at home to create an environment that is functional, beautiful, and a perfect reflection of you!
