Every year, as the calendar flips to January, many of us may find ourselves jumping on the bandwagon of dreaming up big plans and goals.
I used to do that too—setting ambitious resolutions for changes I wanted to make in my life, filled with hope and excitement. But, if I'm honest, I often found myself losing steam just a few months in.
That sense of not quite getting there, of not ticking off those goals or measuring up, left me feeling pretty crummy and guilty. Sound familiar?
After a while, I swung to the other extreme. I stopped making goals altogether, thinking maybe that would ease the pressure and feel more freeing as I stepped into the new year. But instead, I ended up feeling like I was floating aimlessly, like a boat without a rudder. It was as if I was just drifting along without a clear path or destination while the months of the year seemed to pass me by.
Then, more recently, I stumbled upon the idea of setting intentions, as espoused in both Yoga and Islamic psychology, and it was like a lightbulb moment.
Intentions are different. They're less about rigid outcomes and more about how we want to feel and be in our lives. Especially for those of us who are highly sensitive, intentions can be a gentle guide, helping us stay connected to our true selves and desires.
Have you ever thought about what intentions might look like for you, Reader? How they could steer your life in a more meaningful direction?
Reader, if you've been contemplating setting some goals, resolutions or intentions for the coming year, and perhaps need a bit of guidance, read this post to learn more about:
- The difference between goals and intentions, and why setting intentions may be more useful for sensitives
- The deeper meaning of intention as espoused by both Yogic and Islamic philosophy
- The two types of intentions
- Benefits of setting intentions for our lives
- A step-by-step guide to creating your own meaningful intentions for the new year and beyond
Like a gentle breeze that directs the sail of a boat, our intentions can guide us towards a life of meaning and connection.
So, as you step into this new chapter, you’re invited to contemplate:
- What intentions will you set for the coming year to illuminate your path?
- What dreams do you wish to nurture?
- How might your intentions serve as a bridge to the life you long to savour?
- How might they guide you toward a more embodied and authentic existence?
Remember, this journey is yours to shape, and each intention you plant is a seed of possibility, waiting to bloom in the fertile soil of your courage and compassion.
If you’re open to sharing, please hit reply and share your primary or secondary intentions for this New Year with me.
I love learning more about you, and I personally read and respond to every email I receive.
Sharing your intentions for this year or your whole life with someone else can also be a wonderful way to center in your commitment to your intentions.
If you'd like to know what my intentions are, read it on the blog here.
If you're looking for more, here's how I can help
Have you ever wondered how nurturing the seeds of your intentions with mindful presence could transform your journey? |
|
For those of us who feel deeply, carrying the echoes of personal, intergenerational, or cultural burdens, setting intentions becomes not just a practice, but a powerful act of reclaiming our narrative. |
If healing the wounds of your past is part of your intentions for the coming year, I invite you to explore the transformative world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with me. Through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, you can explore the intricate landscape of your inner world, nurturing each part of you with compassion and understanding.
What if this year, you chose to step into your power, embracing the wholeness and worthiness that have always been yours?
Together, we can gently unravel the threads of your past, weaving a tapestry of self-compassion, courage, calm and clarity.
Are you ready to step into this garden of healing? Join me in this sacred exploration, and let's cultivate a year of profound transformation, one intention at a time. Your path to healing and renewal begins here.
Further reading/ resources
- Explore this playlist of free New Year Intention Setting Yoga Nidras by my mentors/teachers Ally Boothroyd, Kristyn Rose and Tiina Kivinen
- Read ‘Yoga Nidra: The Art of Transformational Sleep’ by Kamini Desai
- Read ‘The Barakah Effect: More with Less’ by Mohammed A. Faris
With your well-being at heart,
Elia Kanak Rajah [she/her]
Follow me on LinkedIn