Resolutions vs Intentions

Intentions vs Resolutions

I, like many of you, use to make my New Year’s resolutions on January 1st of each New Year. A few years ago, a conversation with my friend, Debrena, set me on the path to setting intentions instead.

I decided to look up resolutions in the dictionary and found that it means "the action of solving." No wonder I was failing to carry out my resolution plan. Making resolutions literally means focusing on problems, all the things that are wrong or not working. Most New Year’s Resolutions, mine included, center on eliminating addictive behaviors such as over-eating, smoking, over spending, etc.


We vow that we’re going to do better than we did in the previous year but by the end of
January, many fall back into old patterns of behavior. Why? 

It’s important to understand that many negative behaviors are generally used to avoid facing what is really going on in our lives. Too keep from having to experience true feelings, many people create destructive and self-sabotaging distractions. If you think this might be the case in your life, you might want to try doing something different this year.

In 2014, instead of looking at yourself as someone who needs to be fixed, try thinking about how you would prefer to feel about yourself. For example, if you want to release some weight, first begin to appreciate yourself in the body you have now.

Ask yourself how you would feel if you were taking better care of yourself:

• What can I do first (or not do) to start appreciating myself?
• How would I like to feel about myself & initiate change from that place.

In contrast to resolution, intention is defined as something one wants to accomplish or bring about. The focus is on the future, not the past, on possibilities, not solving past problems.
Big difference!

I like the word intention because, for me, it implies positive change. 

You also create an action plan to support your intentions. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate but it does help to move you forward.

State tune for tips on creating intentions and other tools to put the wheels in motion for a happier, healthier 2014, and taking better care of yourself from the inside to the skin-side.

Happy New Year,

Jacqueline