Let Go of Resolutions. Set Intentions Instead.
Every New Year, the conversation about resolutions comes up. And every year, the majority who set them give up within weeks.
Failed resolutions tend to be general, oversized, and unrealistic. All elements that make follow-through and success unlikely.
Rather than chasing New Year’s resolutions in 2026, I encourage you to set intentions instead.
Intentions Are Forgiving
Intentions feel less rigid than resolutions, allowing you to be human. If you miss a day, change your mind, or need to pause, an intention is not broken.
Rather than starting over or harshly criticizing your ‘lack of discipline’, simply reset. Continue from where you left off with curiosity and kindness.
It may feel strange to release the expectation of pushing through regardless of your energy level, working hard, and striving for unrealistic standards of perfection. Once you experience the gentle nature of intentions, however, you’ll revel in the expansive feeling of alignment and forward momentum that resolutions rarely provide.
Intentions Are Sustainable
Intentions are designed for the long term. They support steady, meaningful progress without exhausting your body or mind.
Intentions are rooted in how you want to live and feel, so they naturally evolve with you. They don’t evaporate when life gets busy or when your energy shifts. You can move slowly, pause when needed, and remain connected to what matters most to you.
The sustainability of intentions comes from their flexibility. With an approach that allows for rest and adjustment, you’re far more likely to stay engaged over time. Intentions help you build momentum without burnout and progress without pressure.
Choose Your Intentions
To choose your intention/s, reflect on how you want to feel and what you’d like to experience. Here are a few prompts to help you:
What words describe how I want to feel in my life?
What would support me in feeling like this?
What feels heavy or draining right now that I’m ready to approach differently?
What am I ready to release? What am I ready to start?
How can I feel my best?
Balance reflection time with space for processing. Your subconscious mind will work through these questions and provide answers that your conscious mind will not.
Trust what comes to you and then choose one or two intentions. You now have meaningful guide/s to direct you from where you are to where you want to go!
As you step into 2026, permit yourself to move forward gently. Trust that small, intentional choices and actions create lasting change.
A Gentle Way to Begin 2026
If you’re interested in fostering a soft approach to the new year, I invite you to 31 Days of Gentle Actions to Ease Into 2026 - a paid series of 11 emails I designed to guide you into the new year with kind and compassionate energy. Each email includes simple daily actions that honor where you are in midlife and beyond, allowing you to start 2026 feeling supported.
If this gentle approach resonates with you, the series is available for $8.88 and open for purchase through January 20th, 2026. Visit this link to purchase the series.
