Resolutions or Intentions?
Hello! Happy Wednesday! Merry 2023!
Can you believe it’s 2023?? Weren’t we just in 2020 like last month??
If you are new to my Blog/Messages/weekly newsletter (name suggestions welcomed and encouraged), welcome! I utilize this space to share, teach, and hopefully motivate you towards becoming your very best self. Sometimes I talk through a topic of my choosing, or I utilize current events and pop culture to show how you can use therapeutic ideas in your own life. Whatever shows up here, I can promise you will learn something!
Let’s talk about New Year’s Resolutions! I have some thoughts.
Let’s begin by breaking down the definition of the word “resolution”:
Resolution (noun): a promise to yourself to do or to not do something (Cambridge Dictionary, 2022)
It’s a super all or nothing way of thinking. We either don’t do it or we do it. We either try and succeed or we try and don’t succeed. Not a whole lot of gray space there. With a meaning like that, resolutions can easily set us up for failure. Why would we force ourselves into a goal that may ultimately end us up being frustrated with ourselves for not doing it??
I am partial to the practice of setting Intentions for the new year. Not to worry, you’re getting a definition here too:
Intention (noun): Something you want and plan to do; an aim.
Intentions feel like they give a lot more wiggle room. It’s not something you are forcing yourself into, it's an idea that we’d like to accomplish throughout the year. A whole lot more gray space here. Maybe you work on your intention in January, but it feels too hard. That’s okay! You have 11 more months to keep working towards it!
I think we are all on the same page now. You may agree with me or you may say:
“Silly Sara, intentions are for kids! I need a goal that I may fail at to motivate myself!”
And to that I say:
“Yep that is totally fine too, I’m not in charge of you! Do what you gotta do!
But I am still going to ask, What are your intentions for 2023? — One of mine is to make a kickass newsletter to force some of my mental health knowledge and thoughts into your everyday life.
I’d love to hear from you about what your thoughts and intentions for the new year are! Follow me on Instagram or Facebook and let me know what you hope 2023 is going to bring you!
Virtually yours,
Sara Barber, MSS, LCSW
P.S. Remember if you are reading this (and you aren’t one of my clients) I am not your therapist and you should take what I share with that in mind. I’m here for the laughs (mostly at myself) and the education. If you’d like me to be your therapist or are interested in finding a therapist, email me!