Happy new year, my sweet friends!
Let’s discuss intentions for 2022. Before I go any further, I need to say this: I know the “new year, new me!” energy can be overwhelming and shame-inducing online… that’s not what this post is meant for.
Nope! This post is meant to empower you to try out something new for you this year. In this post, I’ll share 22 intentional habits that I enjoy and see profound value in as a transformational mindset coach for creatives. But that is not suggesting in any way that you must adopt all of these habits… take what serves you, leave what doesn’t!
Which of these 22 intentions are you going to bring with you into 2022? Please share with me in the comments!
1. Journal
Journaling is without a doubt the number one mindset tool I recommend to soulful creatives, whether we’re working together 1:1 or they’re trying to adopt more mindfulness practices in their own lives independently. A journal is without a doubt the ultimate simple resource for digging deeper, releasing and surrendering.
It doesn’t have to look pretty. It doesn’t have to be in a cute notebook. What matters is taking time every day to empty, write and escape your thoughts. Something about putting pen to paper allows us to disrupt our traditional thinking patterns and will enable us to get more skeptical before believing our thoughts.
2. Meditate
You must take time each day to quiet your mind in meditation. What’s important to know… Meditation does not have to look a certain way!
If you struggle to find a time to sit each day peacefully in complete silence, you could see a gentle walk in nature as your meditation. If you’re an artist, perhaps it’s when you sit down at a canvas that you feel most at peace. What’s essential is just this: finding a moment of peace and quiet where you can be alone with your thoughts and work to quiet your mind with intentional deep breaths.
This realization that meditation didn’t have to look a particular way was groundbreaking to me – and I have my soul sister, Melissa Donovan, to thank for teaching me this perspective on meditation.
3. Simplify
As humans, we tend to make things more complicated than they really need to be. Us busy online business owners are probably one of the most guilty of this pattern, to be honest! Think about how often you’ve created a whole new system because you heard an expert you admire recommend it.
This year, taking a moment to consider where you can make things more simple in your life and business will serve you amazingly. Maybe it’s about streamlining a system or process. Or maybe it’s about how you manage your time and energy. The world’s your oyster.
4. Craft a Vision Board
A vision board is a series of images, words and phrases that you curate to correspond to the visions and goals you are setting for yourself. What’s important is that a vision board isn’t a magic wand; there’s still intentional mindset work that goes alongside it!
Over the past few years, I’ve crafted and perfected the method for curating these boards, as well as the framework that goes alongside them for practical manifestation.
Easily prepare your own vision board with clear, intentional guidance with this workshop!
5. Craft a Mantra or Affirmation to Fuel You
It’s pretty trendy in the online space to have a “word of the year,” but I find having a mantra or affirmation to fuel you much more exciting and motivating!
What’s the difference between an affirmation and a mantra, you may ask? Well, a mantra is a statement that helps you rewrite your belief about broad, universal things (think, like money). On the other hand, an affirmation is more about working with a view you have about YOURSELF (example, your ability to attract said money!)
6. Plan Ahead (Even just a bit!)
Look, I’m a projector – I hate rigidly planning too far ahead. But one habit that has helped me from a mindset perspective is being more willing to plan, especially during busy times in business. So, for example, during the weeks leading up to a launch, I make a significant effort to do more meal planning and prepping so that I can be incredibly present, nourished and healthy during my launch, not having to waste valuable brain space on decisions like what to eat and cook.
Having a plan in life and business has reduced my stress and anxiety! The key: flexibility. You have to be willing to change the plan to go with your energy when needed, without the self-imposed guilt of changing said plan (I know that sounds confusing, but IYKYK!)
7. Appreciate Yourself
Every day tell yourself one thing you like about yourself or what you appreciate about yourself. We are the hardest on ourselves, so taking the time to give yourself a moment of praise is one of the kindest and most straightforward shifts you can make in your life.
Stuck? Try one of these prompts…
- What is one thing that you did today that you’re really proud of yourself for?
- What is your favourite part of your body and why?
- Who did you help today? What are you gifted at that allowed you to do that?
8. Practice Discomfort
The magic happens when we are outside of our comfort zone… when you’re uncomfortable, it’s usually because you’re doing something that’s challenging you to grow.
As someone with lifelong experience with chronic anxiety, I know how hard this is. That’s why it’s all about practicing with baby steps. Think of wading into the water rather than jumping right on in.
I always love that interview where a reporter asks Rhianna what she does on the days she isn’t feeling fabulous and confident, and she slyly smiles and says simply, “Pretend.”
That’s the energy I’m bringing into 2022.
9. Dance it Out!
Dancing and free, expressive movement is one of the best things you can do to shake and move nerves and unfriendly energy from your body.
I resisted this for so long. I’ve always felt self-conscious of my awful dance skills (this isn’t me being self-deprecating, it’s a fact. I do a pretty great impression of Elaine’s dance. But I’m learning to release and have fun through movement and dance simply.
Try it out! The next time you’re feeling jittery or nervous, put on one of your favourite bangers and dance it out a bit! Here are a few of my all-time favourite songs to dance to (from a wide range of genres) if you need some inspiration:
- Say You’ll Be There – Spice Girls
- Crazy On You – Heart
- Jump High – LION BABE and Childish Gambino
- Sky Walker – Miguel and Travis Scott
- Layla – Derek + The Dominos
10. Blog for Your Biz
Social media is becoming more unpredictable; it’s time to double down your efforts on content that belongs to you: your website and blog posts!
Blog content is fantastic – it allows you to take the time to dive in deeper on essential subjects and truly educate your audience. In addition, it creates new URLs on your website, which is terrific for search engines like Google if you’re working on your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts!
11. Write Your Website!
If you’re a creative business owner, now’s the PERFECT time to write your website if you’ve been putting it off! Your website is where you can truly make a lasting impression and nourish your leads with thoughtful and compelling copy.
I know it can be intimidating to walk down this road, but trust me… you CAN write your website!
12. Find a Hobby or Creative Outlet
When we work and live in the same place, we must have a way of unwinding at the end of the day. I love having a creative project or hobby on the go to relax with, whether that be knitting or drawing or yoga. Maybe for you, it’s something else entirely – it doesn’t matter! What’s important is finding something you love that can keep you occupied so you can unwind from work.
13. Read
I’m a reading believer! I truly believe in reading for creativity, improving your vocabulary, and enjoyment! It doesn’t matter what you read, whether it’s business, mindset, fiction, or a mix of all of the above (That’s me!)
A reading habit is genuinely one of the most enriching intentions for 2022 you could set – it allows you to fuel your creativity while also allowing for deep education and learning.
14. Drink More Water
I know this may seem random, but one of the best habits as an intentional business owner working from home is to ensure you’re hydrating enough!
It’s wild how many of us are dehydrated. So please make an effort this year to drink more water, as it helps you keep naturally energized and fuelled during the day!
15. Eat More Plants
Eating more plants, like drinking more water, is a great intention to take into the new year! I’ve been vegetarian for over ten years, but I have made an effort to eat more completely plant-based meals in the past couple of years and truly have felt so wonderful with those choices!
Look, no one here will preach vegetarianism or veganism – I just think making an effort to eat more plants is always a beautiful habit to bring with you. Talk about natural energy!
16. Create A Sacred Alter Space
Ok, if you’re repelled by the word ‘alter,’ think simply of this as a sacred space – this is not religious at all; this is more of a spiritual experience. One of the most beautiful mindful practices to develop this year is to cultivate a sacred space filled with things that inspire you and bring your joy.
You don’t have to stop at just one – you could have a sacred space inside every room in your house! For now, start small by clearing off a table, shelf or top of a chest of drawers and place things that are important to you, that are sacred, and that inspire you. This could be photos of your loved ones, healing crystals, fresh flowers… whatever speaks to you.
This will end up being a safe and quiet place you can do your morning routine or connect with throughout the day when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
17. Start a Morning Routine
Speaking of morning routines… do you have one? If not, try one out this year!
Now, this need not be a rigid set of steps that you have to follow every single day… that has to be the biggest misconception about morning routines! Instead, I like to think of you having a kind of “toolbox” full of ideas of activities that really fuel you up in the morning that you can then choose from each day, depending on what you need that day.
For example, I usually begin my morning with reading. But if for some reason, I’m feeling really sleepy and needing extra time for me, I may put a motivational video on instead. Follow your energy, do what’s best for you. Just make the effort of pouring into your cup before you start the day, even just for five minutes!
18. Access Your Inner Sacred Space
Ooomph, this is one of my FAVOURITES that I’ve discovered over the past year… the sacred space within. At any moment where you feel disconnected, overwhelmed and stressed, you can tap into this space.
This is a beautiful thing to explore and establish within meditation – the sacred space within you that is spirit. This is a space you can turn to when you’re feeling overwhelmed externally.
19. Explore Your Shadow
Every single one of us has a shadow self, which are the unconscious parts of our personality that we often don’t want to admit we have. This doesn’t mean anything sinister – we all have it. For example, a significant element of my shadow self is that she’s very hard on herself.
By exploring this side of ourselves, we can actually feel more compassion and grace for ourselves! That said, I recommend that you do this with a trusted practitioner (while it doesn’t have to be me, I am a mindset coach!), as this work can be rather intense.
20. Learn A New Skill
The new year is a great time also to set an intention to learn a new skill, whether it be for your business or simply just for fun! Maybe it’s that you finally will learn that new language. Or perhaps it’s adding a skill to your business so you can attract a higher-end clientele.
Change and growth are the beauty and purpose of life! Learning something new is one of life’s greatest joys!
21. Begin A Soul Family
While I am fortunate to be close with my family, I’m aware that this is a privilege not everyone is lucky enough to have. That said, we all can form a chosen soulful family of our own (I also suggest doing this even IF you have a wonderful family you are close to!)
Having soul sisters, brothers, friends, that you connect to on a deeper level is so special. It can be so enriching because you believe in and value similar things and can explore rich and deep topics – that’s one of life’s greatest joys.
I know it can be hard to make new friends as an adult, but simply having this intention and being open to these relationships is the first step.
I’m lucky to have found a couple of soul sisters in my life who I can’t imagine my life without – it took me years to find them, but they’re there! I know these people exist for you too, my love.
22. Dive Deep into Mindset Work
If you haven’t already, 2022 is the perfect time to dive deep into the power of mindset work. As a transformational mindset coach, I’m obsessed with this work and its power and would love for you to have a greater taste of what it has to offer
Connect with me on Instagram to learn more about my energy + the intentional mindset work I support my clients with!
Build Your Resilience + Cultivate Self Love This Year Through Journaling…
Journaling allows you to… * Rewire limiting habitual ways of being * Give spotlight to your intuition’s voice * Provide a solstice of self-care * and develop a resilient mindset These prompts are here to guide you when you need to dig deep into your own resilience and self-love.
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