Replace your Resolutions with Intentions
How many of us had a pretty rocky 2020? Don’t even answer that, I already know. 2020 has been challenging, but it has also given us a chance to slow down and rebuild. In a time that has been so unpredictable, unsteady and quite literally terrifying—making a resolution for 2021 seems like the obvious choice. In no way am I against goal setting, ambitions or dreams (just ask my clients ha), I just believe that there should be healthy intentions behind those goals. This time of year we see ads everywhere for weight loss programs, gym memberships, diet plans, etc— all capitalizing on the things we don’t like about ourselves (or what we have been told we shouldn’t like). As a fitness instructor, I am always for wanting to better yourself or move your body—but I am not for doing these things because you hate yourself.
How many times have you made the same New Years resolution? How many times have you been able to achieve and keep up with it? How many times have you gone down a shame spiral after “failing” at said resolution? This year, let’s try something different. For example, instead of simply vowing to lose “x” amount of pounds, write down your goal and then try asking yourself why you are setting this goal. What will achieving this goal bring you? Maybe you think that you will like yourself more, that you will be happier? Then, write next to your reasoning what other things you could do (or are already doing) that will give you the same outcome? Will losing weight ACTUALLY make you happy? What is it that you feel you are missing?
Through doing exercises like this, you can begin to find your intentions behind each goal. Maybe you are searching for happiness, for simplicity, for stability, for connection. Maybe, you are looking for your needs to be met through what seems like an easy solution (ie weight loss, diets, etc). If you get clear on your intentions and on how you want to show up in every situation throughout the next year, you will be able to stay true to your goals and to yourself. Don’t feel the need to give in to the same cycle every January. Take this year to get clear on what it is you want and why—on how you are going to get there. In 2021, let’s all vow to get a little less sidetracked.
