A year of living with intention

Happy new year! I know, I’m late. But surely we can start a new year any time we like? I actually think that each ‘new year’ really starts on 1 Feb, because January is just a month of pause for me. Do you find yourself in a lovely limbo in January too?

Before I reveal my One Word for 2018, I wanted to reflect on my word for last year: Intention.

My year of living with intention was mostly a tough one, although joyous in many ways too. I’m not even sure why it was so tough, I just know that I couldn’t wait to see the back of 2017 and that was that.

But I was true to my intention all year long and I manged to make some lasting, fundamental changes.

• I made both quality and quantity time for my family
• I learned to slow down and be present (mostly)
• I created everyday rituals that led me to notice more, appreciate more and be more
• I finally (finally) manged to find a way to control my over-eating (mostly)

There were lots and lots of ways that I achieved these things, but they were all small things that don’t seem like much until they all add up together. Each small thing was achievable, but each took work and dedication. I tackled it one little thing at a time.

• I took social media off my phone (most of the time)
• I stopped snacking after dinner
• I said no more often
• I thought through my values and wrote them down
• I stopped adding sugar to my tea
• I questioned things, but not too much
• I learned to sit quietly
• I created new health rituals for mornings and evenings (push ups, anyone? I am still growing strong)
• I accepted the things I cannot (or don’t really want to) change

You can see how these little changes can add up to something important, and they did. Changing habits and creating wellbeing rituals was something I explored the year before last, so I was ready and able to knock quite a few things off my list this year.

It meant that I wasn’t as available all year as I usually am (you may have noticed my absence here), but I was being industrious elsewhere. Releasing dreams and turning them into plans.

I ended the year lighter in both mind and body. I felt like I know myself better and am more content with who I am and what I’m trying to achieve. Mostly I realised that I am most definitely a seeker,  not a striver. It’s not the hard work of achieving that I’m afraid of, but rather the recognition.

Truth is, I would like to quietly be able to achieve big things without anyone noticing.

So, here I am, in a very good place to start a fresh new year. I’ll be sharing my word for 2018 early next week.

What small things have you achieved lately?