Intentions Over Resolutions: A New Step Toward PEACE
Can you believe 2024 is over?
It's been a year for the books, that's for sure. I’ve been setting intentions instead of making resolutions for about eight years. Each year, I focus on a theme with one to three words that guide my decisions, my energy, and how I choose to show up. These words are like anchors, helping me stay steady even when life throws its twists and turns.
Resolutions often feel like checklists—focused on achieving specific goals. But they’re rigid, and when life doesn’t go as planned, it can feel like we’ve failed.
Intentions are different. They’re about becoming. They’re flexible and forgiving, and they help us focus on how we want to live rather than just what we want to achieve.
This year reminded me that life isn’t always progress and advancements. Some seasons are slower than others. Sometimes, we backtrack or feel stuck. But those moments aren’t failures—they’re opportunities to reassess, learn, and grow stronger.
Here’s the truth I’ve learned: Intentions give us space to reflect and refocus without judgment. They allow us to slow down and build habits that align with who we want to be, not just what we want to accomplish.
As we prepare for 2025, I encourage you to skip the resolutions and instead ask yourself:
• What kind of person do I want to be next year?
• What values or priorities will guide my choices?
• What small, consistent actions will bring me closer to that vision?
• Who can I trust to support and guide me on my path?
Here’s how PEACE can help you step into the year with intention:
Presence: Pause and assess where you are right now. Reflect on what’s working and what isn’t without judgment. Awareness of where you stand allows you to create meaningful change and is always the best place to begin. We can't change the past or predict the future, but we can influence where we end up by moving more intentionally in the here and now.
Empowerment: Small, intentional actions build momentum. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight—empowerment comes from knowing each choice matters, no matter how small. Take the long view over the instant gratification. You’ll be surprised at the relief and confidence this simple shift can bring.
Alignment: Think of alignment as your compass. When you choose actions that reflect your values, you stay on track toward what’s truly meaningful to you, even when life feels messy, you’ll be moving closer to the intersection of where you are and where you desire to be.
Compassion: Be gentle with yourself. Not every step will be perfect, and that’s okay. Compassion helps you keep going, even when progress feels slow. You’re where you need to be, try to embrace that idea and watch the stress begin melt away (if even for only a short moment).
Expansion: Every intentional choice creates room for growth. Expansion isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more connected to what matters most to you. Isn’t that a desirable pill to swallow?
Ask Yourself: What’s one intentional change I can consider this week that reflects the person I want to be in 2025?
Resolutions can feel like pressure to do more or be more, but intentions allow us to focus on what truly matters—showing up authentically and making choices we can be proud of.
Thank you for being part of this space with me. Here’s to stepping into the new year with purpose, clarity, and peace, Warrior.
With love, light, and gratitude galore,
Rikki
PS: If you’re ready to start 2025 with more clarity and focus, check out the SOS Vault! It includes resources like “Getting Past Paralysis” to help you break through overwhelm and move into intentional action. You can also pair it with the Chaos to Clarity Journal to dive deeper into setting meaningful intentions.
