Rather than write a list of intentions for the New Year, I prefer to have a ‘word for the year’ that I can keep referring to. I can refer to it when I am making decisions, and occasionally review the word to see if I am increasing the quota of that word in my life.
For example, if you choose ‘family’ as your word for the year, you might start out thinking about what family means to you.
Is it limited to your biological family, or does it extend to friends too?
What kinds of shifts might you like to feel and see in your relationship to ‘family’?
Are your work colleagues a kind of ‘family’? If so, what might you need to bring to that space to see changes?
- How often would I like to speak with my family?
- Which members would I like to get closer to?
- What is the FEELING of family I am looking for?
- Have I historically received that feeling from the people I am looking to?
- What other groups might give me the same feeling?
If you chose the word ‘mindfulness’, you might think about what it would feel like to be mindful at work, home, in your studies, in your friendships.
- What would it be like to be mindful at the gym?
- How do you feel when you are mindful?
- Do you know any mindful people you can copy?
- Would you benefit from some regular mindfulness meditation?
- What would your home life FEEL like if you were more mindful?
- What would change in your relationships?
My word for 2021 is ‘Calm’. As I read through the list, this is the one I keep coming to and seems to pop out at me.
I would love to hear what your word for 2021 is. Let’s share and stay accountable.
Wishing you all a safe and fun New Year’s Eve. May 2021 bring you everything you hope for. May you grow in self-love and peace.
Much love, Jen