It’s already the middle of January. That reminds me that studies show that a lot of those folks who set new year’s resolutions have already given up or fallen off the wagon. I’ve never liked the thought of “new year’s resolutions” for that reason. There’s so much pressure there for me. Although I don’t technically do resolutions, I have always been one to set goals. I just tend to look short term, and not tie everything to one time of year.
I’ve been hearing so much in the past couple years about choosing a word, instead of making resolutions. Have you jumped on the “word for the year” train? I must admit, I have. It sounded like a neat idea to tie my goals to one single word. So, this year I chose the word Intentional.
Intentional is an adjective. It’s defined as ‘done with intention or purpose; deliberate’. Synonyms include deliberate, conscious, done on purpose, intended, planned, meant, considered, studied, knowing, willful, purposeful, preplanned, thought out, predetermined.
There are so many additional thoughts and goals that can be tied up into this one word. Which honestly, is why I chose it. I oftentimes find myself wasting time – either by watching TV or surfing the net. And while being mindless like that does fulfill a piece of me- think stress relief – after I’ve wasted a lot of time I tend to feel very guilty. But maybe guilty isn’t even the right word. It’s not that I don’t feel I deserve to relax, because I’m totally on board on that train! It’s more that I have so many things I want to do – so many hobbies I want to pursue, people I want to spend time with, and an entire house I really do want to make more presentable. And when I’ve wasted time mindlessly, I soon realize I could have better spent my time in one of these pursuits I would truly enjoy.
So, wrapped into the word intentional is my desire to live mindfully, aware of how I’m choosing to spend my time, instead of accidentally wasting it. We all have the same amount of time in our days, and a majority of mine is already taken up by working full time and parenting. But I feel I’ll get a lot more life out of my days if I spend the time that is leftover intentionally.
I purchased a notebook to record my thoughts, ideas, successes, and failures in my pursuit of being intentional (because I am totally a paper planner nerd). I’m really excited to feel more present and purposeful in my life. Do you have a word or goals for the new year? Do you set new year’s resolutions? How do you find time for the things that make you you? How are you working to pursue your heart’s desire? Here’s to a happy and intentional 2019!
