Setting Your Intentions for 2022
Here we are! Again. At this time of the year, we often pause and make a lot of lists of things we will do and accomplish in the new year. We probably have some goals about exercise and diet, finances, work, relationships, and leisure. Maybe you are heading into January vowing to take a month off from sugar or alcohol or social media. Or perhaps you took advantage of the great deals that are out there now, and you joined a gym.
That is wonderful! Give yourself a pat on the back. It is helpful to reassess your habits and let go of the ones that don’t help you and pick up some that do. However, sometimes we make these commitments and set goals that are based on what we think we should do, or what we have been conditioned to think we should do. And if that is what they are based on, they usually don’t help us out in the long run.
So, this year, choose your own adventure. One that flows from deep within you. One that supports you when you see the newest diet or exercise fad and says, “nope, that’s not for me”. And adventure that draws from Sankalpa, a desire born from the heart.
With all the external input we constantly receive, it can be difficult to hear that voice of wisdom within you. A mindful practice can really help. As we start the new year, here are 5 ideas that can help you connect to your inner GPS so that you can set intentions that feel right to you.
- Spend a few minutes each day just being quiet. Be with whatever comes up. This might give you some clues about where your attention goes when you set it free. And that might give you some clues about what is really important to you. Once you start spending a little time being quiet, you might find that you want some more—take it!
- Start a journaling practice. Write or draw anything you want. Like the quiet time, it will be interesting to see where this leads you.
- Set specific times to review and answer texts, calls and emails. This will keep you from confusing other people’s agendas with yours.
- Turn off the news. Not forever but watch and listen less. Find a couple of sources you can trust and check in with those once a day for a set amount of time. Spend some time understanding what you need to be informed about and why and take in the news in a way that supports that.
- Notice what lights you up. What makes you smile? What brings you joy? Are you doing those things? When do you feel like you are in the flow? Consider ways you can bring more of that into your life.
When you can listen to the messages inside of you as much, or more than all the messaging around you, you really can choose your own adventure and create a 2022 that feels just right for just you.
Wishing you all the best in 2022!
Be Well. ~Lisa
