In our hectic day-to-day life where the hours, days, and weeks often blur together, setting monthly intentions can serve as a compass, guiding us toward our desired destination. Intentions act as a roadmap for personal growth, providing clarity and purpose to your actions.

I’m a firm believer in writing my intentions down, preferably on a piece of paper. When it comes to intentions, you can choose to write daily, weekly, monthly and/or yearly intentions. I prefer to write my intentions in the beginning of every month, as well as set one daily intention that helps guiding me throughout the day.

For many years now I’ve been writing almost daily in my journal. Usually I write down my feelings and emotions or set a daily intention. However, lately I’ve become aware of my tendency to simply put words on a piece of paper without any deeper thought behind them. I find myself writing sentences without taking the time to reflect what they mean to me.

This I want to change. Instead of aimlessly writing things down I will choose one or two intentions, and really challenge myself to contemplate on what they represent to me.

Let’s take today’s intention as an example.

”Don’t take life too seriously.”

What does this sentence mean to me? And how can I use this intention to improve my day-to-day life?

For me this means not to be too caught up in my mind. Not over-analyzing things that are out of my control. To simply be okay with the present moment just as it is. To see obstacles and road bumps as life lessons, and to try to see the beauty in the simplest of things. Life simply is. It doesn’t demand anything from us; we are the ones demanding things from ourselves as well as others.

”There is nothing either god or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

William Shakespeare

Whenever I find myself being too caught up in my head I remind myself to not take neither my life nor myself too seriously. Sometimes it’s like my mind unconsciously creates worst-case-scenarios out of every situation. But as I’ve become aware of the mind’s tendency to do so, I nowadays catch the thoughts before they completely take over my entire being. We cannot change without awareness. We won’t hear the whispers from within if we never take the time to sit with ourselves. On a daily basis I remind myself that the power is within me. The power to evolve. The power to love. The power to create. The power to trust.

Not taking life too seriously doesn’t mean that one doesn’t care, that one doesn’t take responsibility for one’s life. On the contrary, it means that one does not dwell on the things out of their control. Making the best out of each situation, and accepting that sometime one does not have the answers – and that is okay, in fact, its’ more than okay.

With this being said, whenever you find yourself aimlessly doing something – stop for a while and question yourself; Why do I do this? Is this important to me, and why? Is this bringing me peace & joy or worry & sadness?

Don’t be afraid to have an open conversation with yourself from time to time. Be curious enough to want to get to know thyself on a more deeper level. And remember, don’t take yourself too seriously.

So, let’s move forward to the topic of today’s blog post! I’ll briefly go through the art of setting monthly intentions, and how it can positively impact different aspects of your life.

Reflect on Your Values

Before diving into setting monthly intentions, take a moment to reflect on your core values. What matters most to you in life? What do you want to prioritize this month? By aligning your intentions with your values, you create a foundation for meaningful and fulfilling goals. This will make you feel more motivated moving forward, even during those days you rather stay in bed.

Be Specific and Realistic

When you’re setting your intentions, it’s essential that you are specific and realistic. Instead of vague goals, break them down into smaller, achievable steps. Writing your steps down, will make them more tangible, and therefore easier to follow through. For example, if your intention is to prioritize self-care, consider specific actions like dedicating 20 minutes each day to mindfulness, reading for 30 minutes every evening or going for a walk three times a week.

Focus on the Positive

Frame your intentions in a positive light. Rather than saying, ”I will stop procrastinating,” rephrase it as ”I will prioritize and complete tasks promptly.” Positive intentions promote a healthier mindset and encourage a proactive approach to your goals.

Set Measurable Milestones

Track your progress by setting measurable milestones. Break down your monthly intentions into weekly or even daily goals. This not only helps you stay accountable but also allows you to celebrate small victories along the way, reinforcing positive behaviour. For example, while I’m trying to improve my Italian, I’ve decided to listen to 20 minutes Italian every day. Which is roughly 12 hours a month. I rather do a little bit every day, than a lot once a week.

Continuously Review and Adjust

Life is dynamic, therefore your circumstances most likely will change. Regularly review your intentions and be willing to adjust them based on your evolving priorities. Having a flexible approach ensures that your goals remain relevant and important to you, hence you’re more likely to achieve what you have set yourself out to achieve.

In conclusion, setting monthly intentions is a proactive approach to personal growth and well-being. By aligning your goals with your values, being specific, maintaining a positive mindset, and regularly reviewing your progress, you’ll find yourself on a path of continuous improvement. By embracing the power of intention, your months and, ultimately, your life, will transform.