Right, it’s that time of year when everyone shares their big plans and transformational goals for the new year. I’ve written loads about realistic goal-setting and building sustainable habits, so now I should probably share what I’m actually doing myself.
Here’s the thing – I’m not making dramatic resolutions. I’m not planning to become a completely different person or overhaul my entire life. I’ve tried that before, and it never sticks.
Instead, I’m setting intentions. They’re gentler, more flexible, and focus on how I want to feel rather than specific outcomes I need to achieve.
So here are my honest intentions for 2026, why I’ve chosen them, and how I’m planning to actually make them happen.
- Why Intentions Instead of Resolutions
- Intention 1: Build Sustainable Routines
- Intention 2: Prioritise Rest
- Intention 3: Move My Body Consistently
- Intention 4: Be More Present
- Intention 5: Maintain (Not Create) Friendships
- Intention 6: Use My Systems
- Intention 7: Write for Myself
- What I’m NOT Doing
- How I’ll Check In
- Final Thoughts
Why Intentions Instead of Resolutions
I’ve talked about this before in my realistic new year guide, but it’s worth repeating.
Resolutions feel rigid. They’re binary – you either achieve them or you fail. There’s no room for life happening, circumstances changing, or your needs shifting.
Intentions are about direction, not destination. They’re about who you want to be and how you want to feel, rather than specific achievements.
For me personally, intentions work better because:
- I can adapt them as my life changes
- I don’t feel like I’ve failed if things don’t go exactly to plan
- They focus on process rather than outcome
- They align with my values rather than what I think I “should” do
So that’s my approach this year.
Intention 1: Build Sustainable Routines
What this means:
I want to establish daily and weekly routines that actually support my wellbeing, rather than constantly winging it and then wondering why I feel chaotic.
I’m talking about proper morning and evening routines, consistent work hours, regular exercise, better sleep patterns – all the boring but important stuff.
Why this matters to me:
Last year was a bit all over the place if I’m honest. Some weeks I was really on it, other weeks everything fell apart. I felt like I was constantly starting over rather than building momentum.
I’ve realised that I function so much better with structure. Not a rigid, military-level structure, but enough routine that I’m not making a million decisions every day about basic life things.
How I’m approaching it:
Starting with habit stacking. I’m attaching new habits to existing ones rather than trying to build completely new routines from scratch.
My morning stack:
- Drink water
- Quick stretch
- Make bed
- Get dressed properly (even for working from home)
My evening stack:
- Finish work at a set time
- Put my phone in a different room
- Simple skincare
- Read for 20 minutes
- Lights out by 11pm
Nothing revolutionary. Just consistent, manageable habits that stack together.
I’m starting with these basics and building from there once they’re solid.
Intention 2: Prioritise Rest
What this means:
Actually resting instead of feeling guilty about it. Recognising that rest is productive, not lazy.
This includes proper sleep, but also downtime during the day, saying no to things when I need space, and not constantly filling every moment with productivity.
Why this matters to me:
I’m rubbish at resting. I always feel like I should be doing something useful. Even when I’m sitting down, I’m usually on my phone or planning the next thing or feeling vaguely guilty about not being productive.
This year, I want to actually rest without the guilt. I want to recognise when I need downtime and take it, rather than pushing through until I’m exhausted.
How I’m approaching it:
Setting boundaries – this is huge for me. Saying no to things that drain me, even when I feel guilty about it.
Creating specific rest times in my schedule and treating them as non-negotiable:
- Proper lunch break away from my desk
- One evening a week with no plans or obligations
- Lie-ins on weekends (when possible with a toddler, ha!)
- Reading time that’s not interrupted by phone checking
I’m also working on reframing rest in my mind. It’s not laziness or wasting time – it’s essential maintenance that allows me to function properly.
Easier said than done, but I’m trying.
Intention 3: Move My Body Consistently
What this means:
Regular movement that I actually enjoy, rather than forcing myself to do exercise I hate.
Not aiming for a dramatic fitness transformation. Just want to keep my body moving in ways that feel good and support my mental health.
Why this matters to me:
Movement genuinely helps my mental health. When I exercise regularly, I sleep better, manage stress better, and generally feel more capable.
But I fall into the trap of going really hard for a few weeks, then burning out and doing nothing for months. This year I want consistency over intensity.
How I’m approaching it:
I’ve written a whole post about building a fitness routine that sticks, so I’m following my own advice.
For me, that means:
- Running 3 times a week (I’ve got my winter running gear sorted now)
- Gentle yoga on rest days
- Walking more (getting off the bus a stop early, choosing stairs, etc.)
Starting with just twice a week and building up gradually. The goal is to still be doing this in December, not to do loads in January then give up.
I’m also being realistic about winter. It’s harder to get out when it’s dark and freezing. Some weeks will be better than others, and that’s fine.
Intention 4: Be More Present
What this means:
Actually being where I am, rather than always thinking about the next thing or scrolling through my phone.
Being present with my son when we’re playing, present with my partner when we’re talking, present in moments rather than documenting them for social media.
Why this matters to me:
I’m so guilty of this. I’ll be playing with my son while mentally running through my to-do list. Or having a conversation while checking my phone. Or enjoying a moment but thinking about how to photograph it rather than just experiencing it.
Life is passing by while I’m distracted, and I don’t want to look back and realise I missed it all because I was never actually there.
How I’m approaching it:
Practical digital boundaries:
- Phone in another room during meals and family time
- No phone in the first or last hour of the day
- Turn off most notifications
Mindfulness practice:
- Five minutes of meditation daily (using Down Dog app)
- Noticing when my mind wanders and gently bringing it back
- Regular check-ins throughout the day: “Where is my attention right now?”
It’s hard because my phone is basically an extension of my hand at this point. But I’m working on it.
Intention 5: Maintain (Not Create) Friendships
What this means:
Actually staying in touch with friends rather than always meaning to but never getting round to it.
Not making loads of new friends or having a massive social life. Just maintaining the good friendships I already have.
Why this matters to me:
Becoming a parent and moving house have meant some friendships have drifted. Not anyone’s fault, just life happening.
But I’ve realised I’m quite isolated now, and that’s not good for my mental health. I have brilliant friends – I just need to actually see them occasionally.
How I’m approaching it:
Monthly friend dates – even if it’s just a walk or a coffee, making time actually to see people rather than just texting.
Regular messages to people I care about. Not waiting for them to reach out first.
Saying yes to invitations more (when I have energy – boundaries still matter).
Video calls with friends who live far away.
I’m not aiming to be super social or have plans every weekend. Just want to maintain connections with people who matter to me.
Intention 6: Use My Systems
What this means:
Actually using all the systems and tools I’ve set up, rather than creating them and then ignoring them.
I’m brilliant at setting up organisational systems, meal planning templates, budgeting spreadsheets, etc. Rubbish at actually using them consistently.
Why this matters to me:
I waste so much time reinventing the wheel because I can’t find something, or redoing work I’ve already done, or dealing with the consequences of not using systems I know would help.
My life would genuinely run more smoothly if I just used what I’ve already created.
How I’m approaching it:
Monthly review sessions where I:
- Check in with my budget
- Review my calendar and commitments
- Meal plan for the month
- Go through any systems I have and make sure I’m using them
Weekly mini-reviews to stay on track.
Setting reminders for things I know I’ll forget.
This feels boring and admin-y, but it’s what I need. Sometimes boring systems are what allow the fun parts of life to happen.
Intention 7: Write for Myself
What this means:
Writing that’s just for me, not for the blog or social media or anyone else.
Journaling, morning pages, whatever form it takes. Just getting thoughts out of my head and onto paper.
Why this matters to me:
Writing helps me process things. When everything stays in my head, it goes round and round. When I write it down, it becomes clearer and less overwhelming.
But I’ve got out of the habit because all my writing energy goes into the blog. I want some just for me.
How I’m approaching it:
Morning pages – just three pages of stream of consciousness writing every morning. No rules, no editing, no one else will read it.
Evening reflection – a few sentences about the day.
Using the Notes app on my phone when I need to brain dump during the day.
Not making this perfect or structured. Just writing when I need to.
What I’m NOT Doing
I think it’s worth mentioning what’s not on my list, because sometimes that’s just as important.
I’m not focusing on appearance. No weight loss goals, no body transformation plans. My body is fine as it is.
I’m not aiming for massive productivity. I don’t need to achieve more, work harder, or add more to my plate. I need to do less but do it more sustainably.
I’m not trying to be perfect. These intentions will be messy. I’ll mess up regularly. That’s fine.
I’m not doing things because I “should.” Everything on this list is genuinely important to me, not what I think I should want.
How I’ll Check In
I’m doing monthly reviews rather than obsessively tracking everything.
Last Sunday of each month, I’ll sit down and ask:
- How did I do with my intentions?
- What worked well?
- What needs adjusting?
- Do these still feel right or do they need changing?
The point isn’t perfect execution. It’s staying somewhat on track and adjusting when needed.
I’ll probably do a mid-year and end-of-year check-in on the blog too, to keep myself accountable and see how things have actually gone.
Final Thoughts
These are my intentions. They’re not dramatic or Instagram-worthy. They’re not going to transform me into a completely different person.
But they’re mine, they’re realistic, and they’re focused on things that genuinely matter to my wellbeing.
I’ve written loads about realistic goal-setting, building habits, self-care and boundaries. Now I’m trying to actually follow my own advice.
We’ll see how it goes. I’ll probably mess up regularly. I’ll definitely have months where everything falls apart. And that’s okay.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s just moving generally in the right direction while being kind to myself along the way.
What are your intentions for the year? Are you doing resolutions or something different? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear what you’re focusing on.
Related Posts: