The New Year is here and you know what that means? It means here comes a wave of suggestions on setting New Year’s resolutions. Time to up your workout routine, clear out all the unhealthy junk food in your house. Meanwhile, start a major project, or crack down on a budget. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution only to throw in the towel a month or so later? As a mental health clinician, I think it’s time for the notion of New Year’s resolutions to get a bit of a makeover. That’s why I am encouraging everyone to think about New Year’s intentions instead!
Resolutions Vs. Intention Definitions
When I googled resolution, I saw things like “a firm decision to do or not to do something” and “the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.” In medicine, a resolution is defined as “the disappearance of inflammation, or of any other symptom or condition.” In chemistry, it means “the process of reducing or separating something into its components.” An intention on the other hand is defined as “a thing intended; an aim or plan” and in medicine, it is considered “the healing process of a wound.”
What I don’t like about the term resolution is the good vs. bad themes attached to it. This view actually hinders progress instead of motivating us forward. The way the term is defined with words such as “contentious” and “disappearance” is counterproductive. The more we hyper-fixate on a change we want to make the more exhausted we get and we give up. What’s more about resolutions is that we often vow to make changes based on what we “should” be doing differently. By setting an intention, however, you become more open to a process. There is more breathing room and more kindness. On the other hand, a resolution is a hard reset that has to be reset over and over again until you can’t anymore.
Spotting the Difference
I am going to provide some examples now of how you can change a resolution into an intention. Let’s say your goal is to lose weight so your resolution is “no more junk food” and “exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week.” I chose this example because it is probably a very common one. You might stay on track for the first month and then you get sick or you have to work late one day and you can’t make your exercise class. May be you give yourself some grace the first time and get back on track the following week. Moreover, you keep it up for a few more weeks, but when the inevitable happens and you have to miss your workout again and can’t make it up, you feel more defeated. This continues to happen until you eventually give up entirely.
An intention would look more like setting a broad theme for the year. For the example I just gave, an intention might be something like I intend to fuel my body with nourishing foods or treat my body with love and kindness. The other main difference between a resolution and an intention is that intentions are focused on doing more of something positive and resolutions tend to be restrictive and negative.
Turning Resolutions into Intentions
I am going to provide some examples now of how you can change a resolution into an intention. Let’s say your goal is to lose weight so your resolution is “no more junk food” and “exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week.” I chose this example because it is probably a very common one. You might stay on track for the first month. Then you get sick or you have to work late one day and you can’t make your exercise class. May be you give yourself some grace the first time and get back on track the following week. Moreover, you keep it up for a few more weeks, but when the inevitable happens and you have to miss your workout again and can’t make it up, you feel more defeated. This continues to happen until you eventually give up entirely.
An intention would look more like setting a broad theme for the year. For the example I just gave, an intention might be something like I intend to fuel my body with nourishing foods or treat my body with love and kindness. The other main difference between a resolution and an intention is that intentions are focused on doing more of something positive. Whereas, resolutions tend to be restrictive and negative.
Getting Personal
I will end with a personal example. Last year I wanted to focus on listening to myself more, trusting my intuition, and taking healthy risks. Therefore, my intention became focusing inward and tuning into my body more. This drove me to make some important work decisions and put myself out there more in my community. I grew to have a stronger self of myself overall. Intentions feel like rewards while resolutions often feel like punishments. I truly encourage you to set an intention with kindness and compassion towards yourself! You will be much more satisfied when 2023 comes to a close.
Need A Little Help?
If you are struggling to set an intention and would like some help, book a counseling appointment with me today!
