New Year, Same Me

Happy New Year!

Today is Wednesday 8th January, midway through the week I have heard many of you starting your New Year’s Resolutions (it’s nice to have a fresh start on a Monday, isn’t it!), but I want to talk to you about something different for 2025. This year, instead of making New Year’s resolutions that I undoubtedly won’t keep for the whole year, I’m making New Year’s intentions.

 There is so much pressure when it comes to a new year – a fresh start, yes, but also an incredibly tempting opportunity for us to get wrapped up in social media trends of people seemingly overhauling their lives, creating a completely new persona overnight. At this point, it is important to remember that change is not simple: change requires dedication, commitment, and most importantly, time.

It takes 66 days to form a habit, which (if you started your resolution on the 6th January) would take us to the 5th March. So, when you’re thinking about resolutions, or intentions you want to set for yourselves, think about that date – is the goal you are setting something that you can truly maintain until the 5th March? If not, if it seems to strict, perhaps this is a sign that your goal is too strict too. In fact, this is precisely what I was thinking about when looking at my New Year’s resolutions this year, which led me to my conclusion that resolutions isn’t the right word for the goals I am setting – instead, I’m setting myself New Year’s Intentions.

If, like me, you like the idea of abandoning strict resolutions in favour of gentle intentions, here is some inspiration you can take:

1. Be kind to your body – and grateful.

   
   

Your body is powerful. It keeps you strong, keeps you moving, keeps you alive. Look after your body, nourish it with kind movement, good whole foods, and kind words, and watch yourself flourish.

2. Fill your own cup first.

   
   

You can’t fill anyone else’s cup until you have nourished your own supply first, so this year, take time to take care of your own needs first. It isn’t selfish to say no to things that won’t add to your cup, so be intentional with the energy you absorb.

3. Practice gratitude, more often than not.

The key to this intention is that it isn’t about forcing gratitude every single day, because let’s be honest, some days we just don’t feel like it! Therefore, this year, my intention is simply to practice more often than not, a notion I intend to carry forward into my other goals too – more often than not.

I would love to hear about the intentions you are all setting this year, so leave a comment, drop me a message, or share on your social media with me @pilatesameliafrances !

Best wishes,

Amelia x