Spring Equinox: How to set (and stick to) your intentions in nature’s new year

By March, your new year resolutions might feel like a distant memory. However, all is not lost. The Spring Equinox, which fell on 20 March, marks the start of new beginnings. So, it’s an ideal time to set new intentions for this year and beyond.

However, as you may have already experienced, setting and sticking to goals can be two very different things.

In fact the second Friday in January has become known as “Quitter’s Day” when, Yahoo! news reports, as many as 43% of UK adults have given up their new year resolutions.

So, if you’re eager to make a fresh start this spring but you’re not sure how to turn your good intentions into established habits, keep reading.

Intentions are different from resolutions in several important ways

While some people may use the words “resolutions” and “intentions” interchangeably, these terms describe two very different approaches to goal setting.

Choosing the strategy that’s right for you could help set you up for success.

The more traditional resolutions, often set in the new year, are typically:

• Focused on achieving a certain outcome – often stopping or giving up a certain behaviour
• Specific and measurable
• Associated with success or failure
• Strict with limited flexibility
• About “what you want to achieve”.

For example, “I will never smoke again after 1 January”. In this situation, you will either pass or fail, and there are no grey areas.

In contrast, intentions are usually:

• Focused on your personal journey rather than the end goal
• Qualitative and open-ended
• Aimed at aligning your behaviours with your personal values
• Flexible with room for adjustments as needed
• About “who you want to be”.

So, instead of banning smoking altogether, your intention might be, “to be more mindful about what I’m putting in my body”.

Neither approach is “right” or “wrong”, but if you’ve struggled to stick to resolutions in the past, you might want to embrace the Spring Equinox as a time to try intention setting as an alternative.

3 practical tips for setting intentions you’ll stick to

Although intentions are more flexible than resolutions, there’s still an art to getting the most out of them.

1. Reflect on your values and life goals

One of the reasons intention-setting can be so powerful is that it’s based on what truly matters to you.

So, rather than focusing on surface-level behaviours, such as what you eat or how much you exercise, delve deep by reflecting on your values, beliefs and life ambitions.

The following prompts might help you get started:

• What brings you joy?
• Who do you want to be this year?
• Does your current way of living align with your core values?

These are big questions, and there’s no need to rush. Give yourself the space and time you need to clarify your intentions. You might find it useful to meditate or journal your thoughts as they evolve.

2. Write your intentions down

Physically writing down your intentions can help to clarify them and instil a sense of commitment.

A landmark 2007 study by Dr Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University of California, found that people who wrote down their goals on a daily basis were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn’t.

Before you reach for your phone, laptop or tablet to record your intentions, consider picking up a pen or pencil instead. The act of physically writing down your aspirations could make them more tangible and encourage you to focus on what you want to achieve.

And don’t be afraid to get creative. For example, you might like to write your intentions on Post-it notes that you can stick on items you see or use every day.

Rather than being an annual goal-setting exercise, intentions are designed to be used as part of your daily self-care routine and this strategy could provide the regular reinforcement you need to stay motivated.

Also, be mindful about the wording you choose to use. Writing in the present tense might help you begin to live as if your intention is already reality. So, instead of using sentences that begin with “I will” or “I will not”, try writing intentions such as, “I make a conscious effort to prioritise my wellbeing” and “I choose to embrace the world with joy and positivity”.

3. Create actionable steps and be consistent

While it’s important that your intentions are embedded in your core values and broader life aspirations, they also need to be practical and achievable.

So, once you’ve clarified your intentions, try breaking them into smaller, actionable steps that you can consistently incorporate in your daily routine.

You might find it helpful to stack new habits on top of old ones. For example, if your intention is, “I prioritise self-care in my daily life”, you could decide to spend 15 minutes reading with a cuppa after your daily school run.

By linking your intention to activities or behaviours you do routinely, or even automatically, the positive changes you’re seeking may begin to take shape with little effort.

Remember to celebrate your mini-milestones and continually review your intentions. Unlike resolutions that are generally fixed once set, your intentions can change as you grow.

Regularly reflect on your progress and tweaking your intentions can ensure they remain relevant, motivating, and rewarding.

Read more: How to “habit stack” your way to a more productive and healthy you

Get in touch

If you’re looking for a financial planner in Bristol to help you review your financial plan to ensure it aligns with your current intentions and goals, we can help.

Please get in touch either by email at helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or by calling 0117 9303510.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.