What would it look like, or better yet feel like if you set a personal style New Year intention rather than a resolution?
An intention could be as simple as “I want to enjoy getting dressed this year.” It’s relaxed and it’s fluid.
So then what’s the difference?
The dictionary definition of resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.”
The dictionary definition of intention is “a thing intended; an aim or plan.” But more interestingly, the medical definition is “the healing process of a wound.”
What that says to me is a resolution is restrictive and an intention is loving and healing.
On Jan 1st, my spouse and I set our New Year intentions. It’s one of the first topics we tackled on our internationally listened to podcast, “Reading Aloud.“
We set them lightly to use our intentions to guide the year ahead. We also look back at previous year’s intentions to see what happened and what didn’t. IT’S AMAZING how often our intentions take a few years to arrive – our baby being one of them.
Having a resolution suggests you’re going to have total control of what happens to you ? (i.e. I’m going to lose 20 lbs by the end of the week or go through my entire closet by the end of the month). And if you don’t “succeed” with your resolution, you in essence “fail.”
Failure leads to shame.
Shame is toxic and destructive and rarely, if ever, motivates change. In fact, it often leads to setbacks or even a full stop on meeting your goals.
An intention can blossom in its own time. It allows you to leave room for the mystery and to live life on life’s terms.
So state your personal style desire clearly, write them down, and watch them grow.