Why I'm Setting Intentions Not Resolutions For 2018

Despite originally thinking about making resolutions for 2018, I have decided to do something different. This year there will be no New Year’s resolutions. There will be something different: setting intentions.

Before we delve into the setting intentions approach, how did I do this past year? For half a year, I did pretty well. And then life became very busy and I let a few 2017 resolutions slide. And then I was back on track.

Last time this year I was resolving to:

20 minutes of heart-pumping activity a day
Keeping an eye on portion size
Acknowledge my happiness
Not stress over the small stuff

Pretty easy, huh? So you would think.

Falling Off the Resolution Wagon

The 20 minutes of working out would morph into the 20 minutes of getting everything together to get our little guy out the door. Try getting a determined toddler out the door and you’re getting a workout.

Portion sizes worked for a while, but damn it, sometimes eyes are bigger than the stomach. I’m back to keeping an eye on how much I ingest in a meal.

Happiness was acknowledged. This past year was an interesting one. Also a freeing one. I had more time to stop and “smell the roses.” Happiness is at a higher level these days. It will continue to be acknowledged into 2018.

As for sweating the small stuff…. this really is connected to being a 40-plus mom to a crazy, willful toddler. He’s at the stage where he’s attention-seeking, mischievous and sometimes has separation anxiety.

It’s this, all the time:

via GIPHY

Not to mention, I have the Polish mom worry gene from my parents. So sweating the small stuff has been a challenge. Is he eating enough? Why isn’t he sleeping through the night? Common worries of many parents, amplified by the Polish worry gene.

Setting Intentions in 2018 Not Resolutions

So despite trying to keep to my realistic New Year’s Resolutions in 2017, I had stumbled a bit.

The past resolutions are doable. But rather than stressing myself out over breaking them, I’ve decided to take a different approach: setting intentions.

This approach means you get personal… you think about what matters most to you. Peaceful relationships? Being kinder to others? Intentions come from the heart. They aren’t tangible goals like losing weight or making money. Intentions are positive ways of living your life that make you a happier, better person.

Mediation is an important part of intentions, as it helps you re-focus on what you are trying to accomplish. You can do this while relaxing quietly in one spot, doing breathing exercises or activities such as yoga. Some people meditate daily in the morning or in the evening before bedtime. I’ll be happy to do so once a week!

This year, my intention is to learn to let go of the small things that stress me out. To put it in a positive phrase, I’m opening myself up to change, big and small. We’re entering the “Terrible Twos” and I expect that my fridge will be stocked with copious amounts of white and rose wine. I need to accept the craziness that comes with a growing little boy. Otherwise, I’ll be a basket case by the end of 2018.

I can certainly relate to comedian Michael McIntyre and his parenting challenges:

And most importantly, I want to add: