The Holiday season is almost over, and you might find yourself reflecting over the last twelve months. This ending of the year calls for us all to set resolutions and fills us with hope for the new year to come!

However, if you are like most people, then you probably don’t like setting New Year’s resolutions or even find them challenging to achieve.

Setting goals to make your New Year better can be a great idea but can often leave people feeling unaccomplished and disappointed in their progress as the year proceeds.

Instead of setting those dreaded resolutions, let’s talk about how to set intentions instead!

What is a New Year’s Resolution?:

A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment you make to yourself to start doing things that are good or to stop doing things that are considered bad on the first day of the year.

It’s excellent to have goals and desire to improve your habits for the better, but there are many reasons why resolutions tend not to work! Many people have an idea of what they would like to accomplish, but they don’t know how to make a plan of action or where to start.

Sometimes people have a clear idea of what it is they want to accomplish, but they start with unrealistic expectations and rules to follow. Instead of taking baby steps and easing into their plan to achieve their resolutions, they jump full force into it. When they ultimately break one of their strict rules, they call it quits and never try again because it was too hard!

When you set resolutions with that kind of all or nothing mentality, it is too hard! No one can change their habits overnight, and any routine that is too rigorous or severe will eventually lead to burn out and feelings of resentment.

How Resolutions and Intentions Differ:

Intentions seek long term change and focus as much on the journey as the outcome and desire! Whereas resolutions focus on physical and typically temporary rewards.

Intentions allow us to connect to ourselves and what we truly need, along with what will better our lives in the long run. Setting intentions helps us to create a new lifestyle instead of attempting to accomplish results in a few short and stressful weeks.

Resolutions bring about awareness to external achievements, but intentions help us to accomplish change within to bring about lasting transformation!

How to Create Your Own New Year’s Intentions:

Take time to reflect upon what matters to you, your intentions will only be accomplished if they are truly meaningful to you. Think about what you want your intentions for the New Year to be, what would you like your life to be like this time next year? Why does this matter to you? What will it change for you?

Once you have determined your intentions listen to positive affirmations that relate to your desires or create your own and repeat them every day!

Your thoughts are very influential, and you must release all doubts and negative beliefs you have about your intentions. Let go of all past failures you might have experienced and allow yourself to think and feel positively towards what you intend to accomplish.

Work towards accomplishing your intentions every day by implementing activities into your daily routine related to your desired goals. Performing these small activities every day will become a habit over time and will greatly propel your progress forward!

Lastly, don’t forget to appreciate the modest accomplishments that you achieve throughout the year! Even these small successes are worthy of recognition and celebration!

How to Change Your Resolutions Into Intentions:

Now that we have talked about some of the differences between intentions, and resolutions, let’s look at how we can transform one of the most common New Years Resolutions into a long term intention!

Losing weight and getting fit.

The restriction people force themselves into is what ultimately leads to failure. Most people won’t even make it to February before they give up because they think that it’s too hard.

Counting calories, reducing consumption of food and cutting out the foods you love while exercising too often or at too high of an intensity sounds miserable and can be discouraging.

Let’s change our desire for immediate physical change to the intention of living a healthier lifestyle and being more active for overall health and wellness!

Instead of throwing out your favorite foods and restricting what you are allowed to eat, simply add more fruits and vegetables into each meal. Then once you have adjusted to eating more healthy, plant-based foods start eliminating those unhealthy staples from your diet, slowly, one at a time. Choose to make healthier choices and find some alternatives to enjoy instead!

When adding exercise into your lifestyle, start with low impact activities such as walking, swimming, or biking. Gradually work up to more intense activities as you feel ready and always remember to give your body rest to recover! Listen to your body and never do exercises that hurt, better yet find physical activities you enjoy doing!

My Personal Favorite Activities Are:

Irish Dancing

Horse Back Riding

Hiking

Walking/ Running with my dogs

Aerobics

HIIT

Yoga

You don’t have to go to a gym to lose weight or get in shape. I rarely venture to such places, and I’ve lost a total of 50lbs just by doing physical activities I love to do!

Changing your diet also doesn’t need to be difficult, instead of eliminating all of your favorite foods, try replacing them with healthier alternatives. Eating healthy is so much more than salads and bananas, trust me!

Losing weight or eating a healthier diet doesn’t need to be one of your intentions for the new year. But it is one of the most common resolutions out there! Now you have an example of how to change your wording and mindset towards making an intention more lasting and long term.

New Year’s intentions have the potential to help you create a better lifestyle for yourself and long term, beautiful change!

Don’t be afraid of slow and steady progress!

Happy New Year’s!

I wish you a joyful 2020, filled with happy manifestation and accomplished intentions!

See Also:

Five Simple Ways to Empower and Love Yourself With Sacred Living: https://therockymountainpagan.com/five-simple-ways-to-empower-and-love-yourself-with-sacred-living/

New Moon In Aquarius: https://therockymountainpagan.com/new-moon-in-aquarius-rituals-and-meaning/