Design Your 2026: From Resolutions to Intentions
- florabami
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
2026: A Year That Calls for Intention
Every new year carries a sense of possibility.
A fresh page. A pause. A moment to reflect and reset.
January invites us to dream, to envision change, to promise ourselves that this year will be different. And so we write resolutions — often with the best intentions.
And yet, many of us know the familiar pattern: By February or March, motivation fades. Life gets busy. The lists feel heavy. And quietly, the resolutions fall away. This doesn’t mean we failed. It means the approach may not be serving us.
Why Resolutions Often Don’t Last
Resolutions usually come from the mind. They focus on outcomes, targets, and control.
They often sound like:
I should…
I must…
I have to…
They rely heavily on willpower and discipline, and they don’t always adapt when life changes — which it inevitably does. In fast-moving years, especially, rigid goals struggle to survive reality.
A Different Approach: Living with Intention
An intention is different.
Intentions don’t ask “What should I fix?”
They ask, “How do I want to live and show up?”
They are less about controlling the future and more about guiding daily choices from a grounded inner state.
I personally stopped writing resolutions a few years ago — not because goals are wrong, but because I realised something important:
It’s not about what I do.It’s about how I show up.
Intentions allow space for growth, change, and compassion. They evolve as we evolve.
2026: A Year That Calls for Intention
2026 carries a strong energy of movement, action, and momentum. In years where things move fast — professionally and personally — rigid plans tend to break.
Intentions, however, travel with us. They adapt. They anchor us. They guide us through change. They become energy anchors, not rules.
A Holistic Way to Design Intentions: The 4 Pillars
As human beings, we are not just minds or bodies operating in isolation.We are an interconnected whole.
In my work, I approach intention-setting through four pillars:
Heart
Body
Mind
Soul
When one pillar is neglected, it affects the others.You can have the strongest engine in the world — but if the brakes don’t work, the system struggles. That’s why intentions work best when they are holistic.
From Resolutions to Intentions — A Clear Comparison
Below is a simple way to see the shift from traditional resolutions to intention-based living, by pillar.
Heart
Resolution: I want to feel happier.→
Intention: I choose gratitude, connection, and emotional presence.
Resolution: I want to improve my relationships.→
Intention: I show up with an open heart and invite meaningful connection.
Resolution: I want to be less reactive.→
Intention: I allow myself to feel and honour all my emotions.
Body
Resolution: I need to lose weight→
Intention: I choose to love, nourish, and respect my body.
Resolution: I must go to the gym three times per week→
Intention: I move my body in ways that feel supportive and sustainable.
Resolution: I need to sleep better→
Intention: I protect my rest and honour my body’s natural rhythm.
Mind
Resolution: I must stop overthinking→
Intention: I meet my thoughts with curiosity and compassion
.
Resolution: I need to reduce stress→
Intention: I create space for calm, clarity, and presence.
Resolution: I want to be more productive→
Intention: I focus my energy on what truly matters.
Soul
Resolution: I should meditate every day→
Intention: I create moments of silence and presence in my life.
Resolution: I need to find my purpose→
Intention: I reconnect with my inner guidance and authentic self.
Resolution: I need clarity about my life/direction→
Intention: I trust life and move with greater ease and flow.
Intentions Are Living — Not Fixed
One important reminder: Intentions are not a one-off exercise.
What feels right in January may evolve in June or September — and that’s not failure. That’s growth. An intention can be refined, softened, or upgraded as you change.
A Simple Practice to Begin
If you’d like to start now, try this:
Place one hand on your heart
Take one slow breath
Ask yourself:
How do I want to show up this year?
You may choose:
one intention
or one guiding word (ease, trust, presence, flow, clarity…)
Let it be simple.
Intentions are not promises to be perfect.They are invitations to come back to yourself — again and again.
As you move through 2026, may your intentions support you not only in what you achieve, but in how you live, feel, and relate — to yourself and to the world around you.
Happy New Year!
May your intentions gently guide how you live, choose, and show up in 2026.
With love and gratitude,
Flora
