As I head into 2012, this grand, glorious New Year, it’s important to me to draw myself a map. I need some signposts and markers on the road to steer me straight in the coming year. While I’ll be sure to look back on what worked and what didn’t from 2011, first I want to clear my mind and look forward. I know cynics can say January 1st is just an arbitrary date, but for me it feels like a fresh start, a clean slate. I love new beginnings!
I’d encourage you to open your mind and heart over the next few days and see what themes or quotes appeal to you. This is to find the major idea, or spirit of 2012, not necessarily any measurable goals. Those come later, once you’ve defined how you want to feel in the coming year!
For a couple of weeks, I’ve been ruminating on what kinds of habits and mindsets I want to foster in 2012, and I’ve come up with a list of phrases that sum up how I’d love to be and feel in this new year. Feel free to draw inspiration from these intentions, I’ve gotten them from many different sources myself!
- Stop trying to be right, admit it when I’m wrong or don’t know much about the topic.
- Create an exercise (including yoga) and meditation/mindfulness/gratitude practice & maintain it.
- Be gentler with myself and others.
- Learn voraciously (read books, pursue hobbies and interests).
- Choose creation over consumption.
- Move my body, every day – intentionally!
- Document my life (photo albums, scrapbooks, preserving memories).
- Follow my bliss.
- Listen to my body: if it feels overwhelmed, hungry, tired, bored. It has a lot to say.
- Set boundaries on my time, my space, my love.
- Self-soothe; draw power from within. It’s all me.
- Forget about perfection. Forget about perception (that others have of me).
- Eat more real, good food.
- Keep in touch with loved ones.
- Care for myself: body, mind and soul.
These phrases may have a different meaning for me than they do for you, but that’s the whole point of setting intentions: to find what you know you need, and to find ideas that resonate with you. Maybe you’re craving more adventures, or more quiet time. Maybe you want to be more generous or take more time to yourself. It’s all good, it’s all you. Think about what you really need.
Be intentional!
