Today, I want to encourage you to take time for some Summer Intention setting. While we usually associate the New Year with a more robust intention setting and new year’s resolution practice, I want to remind you that Summer may be a great addition or alternative.
A quick word about New Year intention setting practices – this is a natural time to want to reflect, reset and re-calibrate. However, I have noticed that it’s also a stressful time. Because can be burnt out from a busy Fall and holiday period, this can feel more like a ‘should’ that the restorative and inspiring practice it can be.
Summer feels more relaxed, more open and more energized. In other words, this give us more wide open spaces for self-reflection and creating intentions.
Also – there’s no one, right time. You can do a beautiful intention setting practice whenever you’re inspired. The mood may strike you or a significant change or life event may have you soul-searching and creating new goals.
An Overview of Intention Setting
First, I want to share this diagram to illustrate the framework of intention setting and intentional living.
The Intention Cycle Diagram
The first step is Awareness. This is noticing where you’re at, how you feel, what lesson you want to take forward and what you wish to release. Being really honest with ourselves and fully aware of what’s going on is key.
Second, we have Intention. Based on this awareness, what is it that you want to create for yourself? What is your intention moving forward?
Third, we have Action. It’s not enough to think about your intentions but, to really live them is where the magic of being happens. For example, if you want greater kindness in your life, you will want find ways to be kinder to yourself, to the people in your life, to your community and so on. Through this action, you will gain a greater knowing of kindness – knowing what it is and what it isn’t.
Finally, we have self-reflection. We pause and take time to reflect on all of the lessons. What have we learned? And, what will we release? Does this sound like the Awareness step we discussed first? Great! Because self-reflection expands our awareness and we enter the cycle again.
You’ll notice the circle with the arrow at the centre of the diagram. This is meant to indicate that as you flow through this cycle you spiral up – growing, learning, evolving and always creating a more intentional life.
Steps to Intention Setting
In this post, I’m not talking about our daily intention setting practices but, rather those times when you take a deeper look at things and decide what you want to create for the next 6 – 12 months. Your daily practices will naturally fall in-line.
If you want a thorough guide, I encourage you to check out the Intention Setting Workbook. It walks you through every step (with a fillable PDF). I’m also going to walk you through the key steps right here so you can get started:
Step 1 – Self-Reflection
You may want to look back on the past year (or whatever period of time feels relevant to you). Here, we want to write down what we’re grateful for. What do we love? Are there things in your life that are no longer serving us (ideas, beliefs, patterns, relationships…) and need to be released? You’ll remember: this awareness is the cornerstone of this practice.
Step 2 – Intention Setting
Looking at various aspects of your life (12 are listed on the wheel below but, you are welcome to choose any that resonate – here or otherwise) and ask yourself: What do I want to create? Are there things already in place to support you or do you need to seek them out? Finally, what are small and simple ways you can create this every single day?
Creation: Wheel of Life
Step 3 – Write a Letter to Your Future Self
What do you want your future self to know, feel and be experiencing? Can you write to yourself in a way that is loving compassionate and optimistic? Don’t let this letter be limited by any perceived boundaries. Create with full possibility. The logistics can be figured out later.
Important Note – I encourage you to take your time with this. It’s not a race. Can you write down a few thoughts and let these hopes, dreams and intentions percolate? Allow them to evolve as you walk, meditate, journal or doing any activity that has you feeling ‘in the flow’.
Why Intention Setting Is Important
This is a beautiful practice of really re-connecting with yourself. It allows you to notice where you really are and identify what you want to create. By setting these intentions, we are showing ourselves immense self-love and playing an active role in creating a life that we love – and one that brings us meaning, fulfillment and a whole lot of joy. A summer intention setting practice opens things up to a great adventure.
Infuse Your Practice with Joy
This stuff is my idea of fun! I love dreaming, planning and intention setting. To me, sitting in my garden, taking walks, writing it all down in a beautiful journal with my favourite pen – these are all things that let my intentions percolate, evolve and take shape. In other words, make this time a gift to yourself, infuse it with joy and create from your heart! What comes forward in your life as a result might just exceed your wildest expectations.
I wish you long Summer days energized with radiant light energy. May you know the power of limitless daydreams. Create beautiful summer intention setting practices for your beautiful life. Remember: all of your intentional days create a life on purpose.
If you do want the Intention Setting Workbook to guide you through, you can find it here.
We also have a lot of gorgeous intention setting products if you are seeking greater inspiration.