2024 Intentions

I say meh to resolutions. It’s not like I haven’t made concrete resolutions in the past - I credit my 2013 resolution to read 12 books for my current love affair with reading - but, in general, the process feels anxiety-inducing. My mind floods with questions - Is this a realistic goal? Is this what I should be focusing my time and energy on? If I can’t accomplish [insert resolution here] within the year, what does that say about me?

Instead, I’ve turned to a different style of refocusing my energy on what it is I’d like to accomplish in the next 365 days.

First, I like to pick a word or theme for the year, and this year, it’s patience. And boy oh boy, the work has already begun! I headed out for a solo hike the other day, and much to my dismay my car wouldn’t start. My kind neighbor across the street gave me a jump and thankfully I was smart enough to a nearby auto part store to get my battery tested, instead of venturing off on my planned hike. My battery was shot, but no big deal, that’s a quick fix, and thankfully a relatively inexpensive one in the grand scheme of auto repairs. What should have been a simple swap turned into a 3-hour process of trying to remove a seized bolt and replace a completely corroded terminal. Patience, I reminded myself. Patience.

I never ended up going on that hike. By the time the temporary battery fix was complete, the sun had set. Surprisingly, I didn’t sit and stew about the turn of events. I’m very much a planner, and I enjoy when things go according to my plan. Which is why I was quite surprised at my ability to just roll with the change in circumstance. I didn’t spiral into my normal anxious thought patterns. I didn’t ruminate on ‘why is this happening to me’?! I simply sat and watched as the incredibly kind worker tried endlessly to free the bolt seized in place.

I can empathize with that bolt. I too have felt seized in place lately, which is honestly the reason I chose patience as my intention for this year. Patience in not knowing the path ahead. Patience in my personal growth and development. Patience with others as they learn and grow as well. Patience in not being where I want to be in life, but accepting my current reality and moving forward, no matter how slowly.

In addition to my annual intention/theme, I also like to take a page from Julia Rothman’s book and make a list of what I’d like to leave behind in 2023 and what I’d like to pursue more of in 2024.

More

  • Intuition

  • Gratitude

  • Outdoors

  • Breath

  • Alone time

  • Focus

  • Clarity

  • Play

  • Creating

  • Handwritten letters

  • Quiet time

  • Movement

  • Investing

  • Connection

  • Reading

  • Travel

  • Meditation

  • Awareness

  • Trust

Less

  • Unhealthy attachments

  • Screentime

  • Perfection

  • Analyzing

  • Doubt

  • Fear

  • Rushing

  • Vices

  • Distraction

  • Burnout

  • Insecurity

  • Spending

  • Shoulding

  • People pleasing

  • Worry



HealthElizabeth Poissonresolutions, goals, intentions