Setting intentions vs. New Year’s resolutions

Welcome to The Your Life Now show with Coach Rea, where we explore
ways to live with purpose and intention. Today, we’re diving into
an important conversation: Setting Intentions vs. New Year’s
Resolutions. As the new year begins, many of us feel the pressure
to set resolutions—bold, often lofty goals like “lose 20
pounds,” “save more money,” or “finally get organized.” While
resolutions can be motivating, they often focus
on fixing something we think is wrong with us. And when
we don’t achieve them, we feel like we’ve failed. But what if we
shifted our mindset? Instead of resolutions, let’s talk
about intentions. Intentions aren’t rigid goals. They’re more
like guiding principles—grounded in the present moment and aligned
with our values. For example, instead of “lose 20 pounds,” an
intention might be, “I’ll nurture my body with care and respect.”
Instead of “save more money,” try, “I’ll approach my finances with
mindfulness and gratitude.” The difference? Resolutions focus on
external outcomes, while intentions focus on internal growth.
Resolutions can feel like a pass-or-fail test, but intentions allow
space for self-compassion and progress over perfection. As we step
into this new year, ask yourself: What kind of person do I
want to become? What energy do I want to bring into my life?
Setting intentions gives us the freedom to evolve and adjust while
staying true to ourselves.