I set intentions instead of resolutions. Intentions feel open-ended and pliable. Especially after the year that was 2020…I’m sure you have seen the meme, the one that says something like, “Let’s tiptoe into this year so we don’t get slapped in the face again.” And I get it, I agree to some extent, but I also feel something as we ease into 2021 that I haven’t felt in a while. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that light is getting brighter every day!

My 2021 intentions are attainable. My intentions are comprised of things that are already a part of my life in some way. In 2021 I am going to solidify their place in my daily life. So here they are, my 2021 intentions!

1. Ask for permission less, and just go for it more

I am an empathetic and thoughtful person at my core. I am also a woman who often acts within the societal norms that were deemed acceptable for women as I grew up. Somewhere along the way I quit being the girl that raised her hand when she knew the answer and instead refused to raise my hand as an attempt to fit in. As corny as it sounds I dulled the sparkle that made me stand out and opted to “fit in” instead. This year I will continue my daily effort to speak up and speak out more, laugh loudly, and diminish feeling embarrassed about so many things.

2. Become physically stronger

My entire life I played sports. Well sports, dance in particular did a number on my hips. Today if I do a high-impact workout there is a good chance I will get terribly bad SI pain immediately following. Over time I have gotten the pain under control with the help of an amazing chiropractor and eliminating jumping from my life period. I have been so afraid of the SI pain that I have not pushed myself physically at all over the past two years. This year I want to embrace low impact workouts and I want to feel strong again. I am jump-starting this goal with 30 days of Melissa Wood Health Workouts at home:)

3. Pay off my credit card debt and start seeing a financial advisor

I no longer carry shame about my debt. I have credit card debt because I chose to follow my dream of living in a large city right out of college. In my first two years in Chicago, I needed to use my credit cards to have enough money to live. For the past three years, I have been working to pay off the debt I accumulated. I am SO close to paying off my credit card debt and I am already proud of myself for the amazing progress I have made. My goal is to pay off my debt by March 1. I am excited to know that I am close to being able to save more money than I ever have before. And mark my words by the end of 2021 I will have seen a financial advisor(I have been putting it off for far too long.)

4. Let the people who are important to me know I am thinking about them

At the end of each year as I reflect there is one constant thing I always regret. Not keeping up with the people that are important to me enough. Sure I talk to my mom almost daily, but outside of that, I am not very consistent with anyone else. I plan to put a reminder in my calendar the first Sunday of every month with a list of 3 people I am going to connect with. I hope to send more texts, spend more time on facetime, and send more, “thinking of you notes,” in 2021.

5. Put the blinders on

When it comes to my blog and social media in particular I have this bad habit of scrolling myself right into a comparison black hole. This year I am working on limiting my time on social media. I want to treat Instagram and Tiktok like a tool, as opposed to a thing I need to constantly be chained to. What I mean by put the blinders on is I want to quit comparing myself to others to my left and right and instead look towards the future of my own journey.

What intentions are you setting for 2021?

p.s. if you liked this post check out: If You’re Questioning Everything You Are Not Alone!