How to Write Weekly Intentions
What is an intention? Is it a goal? Or maybe a task? Is it something else to add to my to-do list? The answer to all of those questions is yes and no.
What is an intention?
An intention is a guiding principle that you live by each day, week, or throughout your life. An intention is different than a goal. You don’t attach an expectation or quantifiable value to. It’s purpose, a mindset, or desire that you would feel proud and comfortable to commit to.
My Simple Living Intention
Ten years ago, when my children were very young and we were living a very fast-paced life I longed for my life to not feel so rushed. I longed for pauses in my day that weren’t empty or full of exhaustion, but were more for reflection or adding comfort or beauty to my every day. I know that might sound frivolous but I knew if I added intentional rest, or more space for creative play into my days I would feel happier, and maybe, just maybe, the intention would blossom and change the rest of my life too.
Well, that’s exactly what happened! From a simple request of myself to make time each day to find space to intentionally rest or do something that I wanted to do, altered the course of my life and the life of my family.
Moving from the City to the Country
My simple intentions started in 2013, after the birth of my second child. It wasn’t until 2018 (five years later!) that we made the move from the city to the country, a dream that both my husband and I had from the time we got married. Deep down, we are both such rural life lovers and always wanted the space to homestead. Now, how we did it is a whole different story, but it did all start with an intention.
How to Set an Intention
Your intention should relate closely to what is important to you and reflect your core values. The actions may be very simple, like taking a moment to rest each day after lunch so you can face the afternoon with clarity, which may tie to your greater life value of being attentive, kind, and respectful to those around you. Your intention can be very simple. Just a single word or phtrase like “love,” or “Keep and Open Mind.” Keep your intentions positive.
Intention Writing Prompts to get You Started
- What matters most to you?
- What are three things you want to accomplish in the next 5 years.
- What qualities do you love best about your favorite people, and why?
- What are you grateful for?
- What thoughts can you let go of?
- What keeps you up at night, why?
- When you think of your life, how would you like others to describe you?
- How do you wish to be remembered?
- Where are your favorite places to visit? How do they make you feel?
- What are your pet peeves, why?
- Hoe do you want to feel each day?
Sample Intentions To Borrow
- Find Peace In The Busy Moments
- My Mind is Open
- Celebrate Small Wins
- Breathe Easy
- Give and Receive Love
- Approach the Day Calmly
- Act with Courgae
- Pause and Listen More
- Work Efficiently for ____ Hours
- Eat at Least One Healthy Meal
- Embrace Change
Come up with your own intention, or borrow one from above.
Put Your Intetnion Into Practice
At the start of your day, write your intention down on a piece of paper, index card, or post it note. You can even decorate it, too. Once you have written it, sit in a comfortable position and hold the intention to your heart. Close your eyes and breathe slowly saying your intention out loud or visually write it inside of your mind’s eye. Take your intention with your through the day as a reminder. You can set a new intention each day, or set one for the week.
Want More Inspiration on How to Live Intentionally?
Join my 30-Days of Intentional Living Challenge. You can start at any time, and it’s free! Add just a little extra intention to your everyday. You will be surprised how much can shift in your way of thinking.
