Having intentions is a natural part of being human, I think. We are always moving forward, changing, evolving...

So it is extra frustrating when we notice we're not really doing anything about the ones we make.

To make sure I embodied mine, here's how I implemented them in 2024. It made all the difference and when I came to write my end of year reflections in December I was surprised, in a very good way.

I threw 3 stones into the sea, with words written on them for things I wanted to let go of in 2024.

🗿 Self Doubt

For this intention I created a practice where every time I noticed I was doubting myself, I would recognise it's not helpful, it's not a fact and I can choose to think differently about it right now. So I did. I thought of the alternative outcome, something that would support what I was doing rather than sabotage it.
 

🗿 Loop Thinking

We all get stuck in patterns. I wanted to find a way to break the cycle of going over and over something in the same way and getting nowhere. I used my environment to help shift this. When I noticed I was in a loop I'd get up, go outside and stretch or take a brisk walk to shake it off. The body is an amazing tool for clearing stuckness. Here are 3 quick exercises I used.
 

🗿 Tolerating Unsupportive Environments

This intention gave me the most unexpected gift. I decided to spend a month in Lisbon to work and be surrounded by the City's bustle and energy. I needed to proactively seek out new places to work, live and be to feel inspired. An event I attended gave me the idea to start a Women Entrepreneurs Group, which now has over 300 members! A complete surprise and something that was truly born out of being in a new and supportive environment.

Letting go of my stones at the beginning of 2024...

Onwards... 

What's on your list for 2025? How are they going so far?

I actually needed to write this post to remind me to get a plan together. January and February came and went in such a flash but I'm ready to think about the long game for the year now.

🐚   My word for 2025 is DISCERNING

I want to be more discerning with everything I do, eat, how I move, my time, who I see, how I speak, everything... 

🐚   Eat more healthily

I've noticed my eating habits getting worse lately so I want to have a more specific plan for eating healthy. I've asked our local cafe about providing 2 healthy meals a week so I don't have to cook, and I have a list of recipes that I can batch cook too.

🐚   Go gracefully grey

I don't want to dye my hair anymore. It's finally had enough and I'm ready to embrace my natural colour as I move into a different chapter of my life. I think the hardest part of this was actually making the decision in the first place. I'm keeping my hair short now and might even go super crew cut for the summer to get rid of a lot of the blonde.

____________________

I hope this helped. I'll leave you with a great tip from one of my mindfulness teachers.

"When things are good, you practice. When things are not good, you practice."

I love its simplicity and power.

Have fun creating your plans for your intentions. The more specific you can be, the easier it is to follow them.