Have you been on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook lately? Since the New Year, my feed has been full of No-buy lists, rules, challenges, and many plans. The start of a new year often brings a flurry of resolutions, challenges, and big plans. What happens with this approach? By February, we had broken the rules and difficulties with challenges and plans, leaving us feeling defeated. What if we approached the year with intention instead of chasing perfection or focusing on what we’re giving up? Living intentionally means aligning your actions with your values and focusing on what truly matters to you. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what counts.

This is what I am doing this year. It is not about no-buy lists; it is about what I want out of the year. So, how do we get there?

Define What Matters Most

Begin by asking yourself: What do I truly value? It could be family, health, faith, personal growth, or something else. Find your why. Write these down and reflect on how they show up in your life. Setting intentions based on your values ensures you stay focused on what’s meaningful, not just what’s trendy.

Grab a journal, notebook, or even a sheet of paper, and join me.

Quick Exercise: List your top three priorities for the year. What do you really want to do or have within the year? Under each, write one specific action that will bring that priority to life. For example:

• Priority: Health – Action: Take a 20-minute walk daily.
• Priority: Family – Action: Schedule weekly game nights.
• Priority: Faith – Action: Start each day with a 5-minute devotional.

My three top health priorities this year are to work on my nutrition and get 80 g of protein daily, pray daily, and take an actual vacation with my daughter.

Start Small for Big Impact

Big changes often feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on small, consistent actions that align with your intentions. For example, if your goal is to be more present, start by putting your phone away during meals. Small steps create habits that lead to lasting change. Those small steps all add up and create the larger changes we long for.

Key Tip: Celebrate the small wins. They build confidence and momentum.

Practice Gratitude Daily

Intentional living is rooted in appreciating what you have instead of constantly striving for what you don’t. Start a simple gratitude practice by writing down three things you’re thankful for each day. It can be as small as a kind word from a friend or as big as good health. If you can’t do three things, list one. Sometimes, it might be as simple as the air I breathe.

Gratitude Prompt: Reflect on one thing that went well today. How did it make you feel?

Be Mindful of Your Time

Your time is one of your most valuable resources. Evaluate how you’re spending it and ask if your actions align with your priorities. Are there activities you can reduce or eliminate to make room for what matters?

Time Audit Idea: For one week, track how you spend your time each day. Look for patterns and opportunities to reallocate time to your priorities.  

Focus on Positivity, Not Perfection

Perfection is unattainable, and striving for it can be discouraging. Instead, focus on positivity and progress. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Intentional living is about embracing imperfection and finding joy in the journey. For us who have faith in Christ, we remember we have grace and it is not about perfection or works.

Affirmation: I am enough. My small steps today will lead to big changes tomorrow.

Anchor Your Intentions in Faith

For those who draw strength from faith, grounding your intentions in spiritual practices can bring clarity and peace. Spend prayer, meditation, or reflection, asking for guidance as you set your intentions for the year.

Faith Reflection: Choose a Bible verse or inspirational quote that resonates with your goals. Write it down and place it somewhere you’ll see daily.

Create a Vision That Inspires You

Visualize what living intentionally looks like. Whether it’s creating a vision board, journaling about your ideal day, or simply closing your eyes and imagining it, having a clear picture of your goals helps keep you motivated.

Action Step: Create a small vision board for 2025. Include images and words that represent your values and intentions. You can do this on paper, or you can even create it digitally and have it as your wallpaper on your phone.

Final Thoughts

Living with intention doesn’t mean your life will be perfect or free from challenges. Trust me, we will have things that challenge us regularly. It means that your choices and actions will reflect what matters most to you. As we start this year, let us remember that each small, intentional step you take brings you closer to a life filled with meaning and happiness. Here’s to a year of living intentionally and focusing on the good.

If you have enjoyed this post, please also check out the Facebook Group, Lets Get Happier where this year I will be sharing tip and tricks on how to live a happier life filled with intention.