The loudest voice in January insists we start over, buy more, and hustle harder. We’re not doing that. We’re choosing intentions—gentle, flexible guardrails that help us evolve without the shame spiral that usually follows broken resolutions. If you’re tired of feeling like a failure by the second week of the year, this conversation will feel like a deep breath.
We unpack why resolutions fall apart so quickly: they start from a story that you’re broken and need fixing. Then we offer a kinder framework that begins with reflection. What drained you last year? What surprised you? Where did you grow without noticing? From that ground, we set one to three intentions that focus on how we want to feel and how we want to show up. You’ll hear five practical intentions you can borrow—listening to your body, protecting your energy, staying curious, nurturing relationships, and enjoying life now—and how to translate them into choices you can sustain.
Throughout the episode, we weave in real-life context: a noisy city day after the holidays, travel plans for a milestone birthday, navigating a medical year with more self-advocacy, and practical boundaries for work and the phone. We show how to use intentions as a daily compass by asking, “Does this support my intention?” and how to check in monthly, adjust without guilt, and celebrate progress—especially on the messy days when getting through is the win. It’s an honest, encouraging reset for anyone craving growth without the grind.
If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who hates resolution season, and leave a review so more people can find it. And don’t miss our new sobriety-focused show, Unbottled, dropping three launch episodes on January 1—tune in and tell us your first intention of the year.