Intentions Over Resolutions: A More Flexible Path to Your Growth

The start of a new year brings excitement and motivation—fresh starts, new goals, and the promise of change. But how's it going for you so far? After all, not everyone loves the fuss and pressure that comes with it.

As a teenager, I tried setting resolutions a few times, but I didn’t like how they made me feel—so I’ve never used them again. Instead, I start my year with reflection, reviewing my happy jar, and planning with intention rather than rigid goals. It helps that my birthday is in January, so I feel like I have several new starts.
I'm not here to tell you what to do, but I encourage you to try something different until you find what works for you. This year, why not consider setting intentions instead of resolutions?

Set Intentions, Not Resolutions
​What does that mean?

Resolutions often feel like rigid checklists—lose weight, get a promotion, save money. They focus on external outcomes and can feel limiting. Intentions, however, focus on growth and alignment with your values rather than fixed targets.

Instead of saying, "I want to lose 10 pounds," try, "I want to feel stronger and more confident in my clothes."
Intentions give you the flexibility to adapt and adjust when life doesn’t go as planned—because, let’s be honest, it rarely does.

Reflect Before You Plan (no one is surprised I said this!)
Before diving into your intentions, take a moment to reflect on the past year. What went well? What challenges did you face? What do you want to carry forward?

Reflection offers clarity and helps you avoid setting goals based on external pressure. Reflecting on your experiences provides valuable insights that can guide your intentions for the year ahead.

If you need additional guidance, check out my previous blogs and posts on reflection to help you get started.

Be Flexible and Kind to Yourself
Change isn’t linear, and growth takes time. One of the biggest challenges with traditional goal-setting or resolutions is the all-or-nothing mentality. When things don’t go perfectly, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed and give up.

Setting intentions this year will give you the flexibility to pivot when needed. Small, consistent steps over time often lead to more lasting change than dramatic leaps. Most importantly, be kind to yourself throughout the process.

Let’s Make 2025 Meaningful
As you continue through 2025, I encourage you to reflect, set meaningful intentions, and stay flexible. Importantly, don't forget that you don’t have to set your goals in January or stick to a strict timeline. Do it when it feels right for you.
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What are your intentions for this year? Share them with me in the comments—I’d love to hear them!