How to set New Year's intentions, swapping pressure for joy

Often in the last few days of December I create a bulleted list of resolutions. My list is usually way too long and encompasses every goal and hope I've ever had for myself. I feel excited while creating the list, but reading it I get overwhelmed by the large list of "must-dos."I feel pressure to check boxes and easily forget the reasoning behind each task.

My journal entry or computer sticky note that looks something like this:

--Floss every night

--Mediate for 10 minutes daily

--Publish 20 stories

Less than 10% of people who write resolutions fail to complete them*. Knowing this, and wanting to avoid unnecessary self-pressure this year I've decided to do things differently. My answer? Doodling colorful blobs. No, really. I created small art boards with bright happy watercolor marks on which to write general intentions for actions, feelings, and ideas that spark joy.

Not only is my "list" beautiful to look at, but it embodies one of the goals I have, which is to invite more creativity and art into my life. This piece of art acts as a reminder for the ways I want to grow and things I want to try without having boxes to check. The exercise ended up being so fun and inspiring that my mom and sister joined in!

There are many frameworks to think about future goals and intentions. Listing tangible items or doodling out general word associations are just a few. Perhaps meditating on the ways you'd like to grow works best for you, or having a self date to journal about the past year and the ways you'd like to keep expanding.

Some people think best while they run, some set monthly check in reminders to see how you may or may not be in alignment with goals you've thought up for yourself. You could have a designated friend with whom you hold accountable to help each other meet your goals.

Maybe how to set intentions for the New Year looks like writing about moments when you felt the happiest, the most alive. What do those memories have in common? Were you always outside, with people that lift you up, feeling cozy and safe? Reflecting on positive memories can help you see the environments, activities and energies where you could focus more energy. The same could be done by reviewing challenging moments you've had this past year. What frustrated you, what made you cry? How could you overcome future upsets? Maybe creating a wider support system, seeking out a new hobby, planning a trip to look forward to?

Maybe resolutions / goals / setting intentions just aren't for you. There is beauty in simply allowing things to be, to unfold as they will. I suppose the type A in me will always appreciate goal setting in some capacity, but I know different people resonate with different ways of being.

I'm wishing you all the best as we turn the page to the new year. Please feel free to write me if you have thoughts about setting intentions, finding the balance between spontaneity and planning to follow your dreams, or anything else these words may have stirred up within you. I would love for this to be a space to connect and share stories and deep feelings.

For those of you who know me or would like to get to know me, I'm Ava and I'm the voice of Rewilding Child. I'm interested in continuously growing through travels and new experiences, grounding by being in nature new experiences, and self reflecting to live in alignment with my highest self.

I've been reflecting a lot about this past year. It was certainly a year of expansion. I spent several months in Mexico speaking Spanish, navigating buses, painting my first canvas, and having lunches with my boyfriend's family in their home. I delighted in many adventures and the ways I got to connect deeply with those I love while backpacking, surfing and trying new things like paragliding! It has also been a slow year in a lot of ways. I've had a lot of free time. I've missed people from the different places I've called home. I've been questioning what I want to do and who I want to be and trying to balance presence with planning for what lies ahead.

I've undulated between deep gratitude for this floaty chapter of my life and doubting if I'm far enough along the path of being an adult. I've been experimenting, moving around, not taking life too seriously, and recently I've been making family time a priority. The more I am present the more the self doubts and stress fade and make room for joy.

In looking ahead to the new year I want to open myself up to more creativity! Sometimes I feel the pressures of "adulting" contradicting my desires to create freely and follow my spirit. I believe I can find a balance where I can meet both of these things.

There are so many ways I want to pour my energy from poetry to painting, photography, and documenting my travels in new ways (TikTok reels?). I dream of all the ways I can connect with nature and find solace, joy, and inspiration from wild places. I'm excited about reducing my waste, consuming consciously, and keeping up healthy habits to feel strong mentally and physically. I am interested in these things not beacuse I feel like I need to or should, but becuase I feel energized and joyful when living in alignment with my values.

In the new year, I am inviting more color, fresh perspective, and creative juices. I am ultimately more interested in inviting inspiration over finding fulfillment in checking boxes. I'm excited about pouring love, time and energy into this Rewilding Child project as it aligns with the intentions that I have for myself as well as my dream to create a space where conscious conversation can create mutual flourishing.

More than any actionable item, I am calling in love, spontaneity, groundedness, and connection in 2024.

With love,

Ava //

Rewilding Child

*Resolution data sourced from an Ohio Research Study