What Does It Mean To Set Intentions? (And How To Start Living More Intentionally)
written by Jasmine Irven
Have you heard about intention setting or the act of being intentional, but aren’t exactly sure what that means or how to go about doing it?
Up until a couple years ago, I wouldn’t say I was intentional. In fact, this was my life (let me know if it sounds familiar):
Your days are busy but you don’t know what progress you’re making
You might set goals but aren’t necessarily working towards them on a day-to-day basis
Your goals change as often as the wind based on external opinions and input
Life feels like it’s on autopilot
You’re lacking fulfillment or meaning
You’re essentially going through the motions, but don’t necessarily have meaning behind your actions, or know where they’re leading.
Often times when we’re living life like this, it’s easy to feel unfulfilled or lost. Because it’s very likely that we’re moving through life without a clear connection to ourselves, our desires, and our intuition. To what we’re meant to be doing here on earth. To what brings us joy and also what we’re meant to bring to the world.
Often times when we’re living life like this, it’s easy to feel unfulfilled or lost.
Because it’s very likely that we’re moving through life without a clear connection to ourselves, our desires, and our intuition.
To what we’re meant to be doing here on earth.
To what brings us joy and also what we’re meant to bring to the world.
Enter: this concept of intention.
From Merriam-Webster: in·ten·tion | noun
INTENTION, INTENT, PURPOSE, DESIGN, AIM, END, OBJECT, OBJECTIVE, GOAL meaning, “what one intends to accomplish or attain.”
Extending this concept a little, to me intention means putting purpose behind everything (or almost everything) that I do, say, and lean into.
Today’s world is full of distraction. Full of opportunities. Full of things you could or “should” be doing. But if those things don’t align with your values, the person you want to be, or the person you know you are, then they’re likely not worth your time, attention, and energy.
Living with intention means looking at how you can give yourself the time and space to determine what’s important to you, what your values are, what gives you energy and lights you up.
And then, from this place of being deeply connected with yourself, you can begin to infuse meaning behind your thoughts and actions, to create a life that feels good to you.
some next steps:
Journal: what are your values? What brings you energy? What drains your energy? What does your dream life look like?
Take a look at your schedule and ask yourself if the things in your schedule align with your values and the life you want to create for yourself. If not, moving forward start to be more clear + steadfast when it comes to your values. When you’re asked to take on a new project, go to a new event, or add something else to your schedule, first ask yourself if it really lines up with what you care about and what you want your life to look like.
Don’t be afraid to say no. To people, commitments, or projects that don’t serve you.
setting intentions
Taking this a step further, I also heavily advocate for setting intentions.
In addition to making sure that what you put in your days currently is intentional, setting intentions looks at where you want to be spending your energy moving forward.
I love to do this during meditation because it’s super powerful! Practices like breathwork and journaling which involve stillness and connection with self are incredibly powerful in allowing us to connect with our true desires, our true selves, and to lean into our intuition.
There’s a lot in the world that we don’t have control over, but we can control our own actions, what we focus on.
This is why people set goals and create plans and also, why it’s valuable to set intentions.
Now listen, I completely advocate for being ambitious in what’s important to you. But, I also think that sometimes when we set massive goals and create detailed plans for our lives, it can create some anxiety.
Especially if things get in the way that are out of our control and cause us not to achieve these goals. Because even though it was something we had no control over, we can often experience feelings of disappointment or being behind.
This is why giving yourself grace is so important.
But it’s also why I love setting intentions. Because the process of setting intentions simply means gaining more clarity on where we want to guide our energy without it being attached to a certain outcome.
It’s not a “yes I achieved this” or “no I didn’t” type of thing. It’s a direction to aim for.
And when we have this direction without attaching expectations to it, we can often find more peace and gratitude in our daily lives.
With intentions there is also a huge element of trust too; this idea that you will do your part, you will set the intention, you will do what you can and what’s in your reach in terms of acting in a way that supports your intention, and then you simply need to just trust in the universe.
Trusting that the universe has your back and will guide you in the right way, trusting that your manifestations or intentions will come to fruition in their own time. And that even if it doesn’t look exactly as you envisioned it, knowing that it’s likely what you need all the same.
Trusting that the universe has your back and will guide you in the right way, trusting that your manifestations or intentions will come to fruition in their own time. And that even if it doesn’t look exactly as you envisioned it, knowing that it’s likely what you need all the same.
how to set intentions:
Get comfortable. Light a candle, dim the lights, wrap yourself in a blanket, and sit or lay down in a quiet space.
Meditate. Simply focus on your breathing, allowing all stress and tension to melt away, continuously returning your focus to your breath. Allowing your body and mind to relax. Giving them permission to release anything that’s not serving you.
Bring your attention to your heartspace (where our desires, intentions, and dreams are held), and ask yourself: what’s been on my heart recently? What areas of my life need some nourishment? Explore.
Once you know your intention, it’s important to create space for it. Ask yourself: what are the barriers or blocks holding me back from my intention? This might be stories you’re telling yourself that have no basis in truth, beliefs you’re holding onto that don’t serve you, relationships, things in your physical environment - it doesn’t matter. Then simply allow your breath to come out through your mouth and visualize yourself releasing anything that’s not serving you.
After meditation, journal on anything and everything that came up for you.
Determine a next step. How can you begin to make tangible progress on this intention?
You are capable of creating a life full of intention - it’s simply about bringing a sense of purpose and clarity to your day-to-day life, and recognizing that all of the small moments in your life create your life as a whole.
Don’t overlook the small moments. Have gratitude. Create space for what’s important to you. Love yourself and give yourself grace throughout.
Don’t overlook the small moments. Have gratitude. Create space for what’s important to you. Love yourself and give yourself grace throughout.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
