In a world that often focuses on resolutions, goals, and endless to-do lists, living with intention offers a refreshing and powerful alternative. But what does it mean to live intentionally? How can we adopt this approach, especially when faced with the challenges of chronic illness? And what makes living with intention different from the pressure of resolutions? Let’s explore how living intentionally can transform your life, one small, purposeful step at a time.
What is Intentional Living?
Intentional living is about being conscious of how you live each day, making choices that align with your values, priorities, and purpose. Rather than reacting to life’s demands, you approach each moment with mindfulness, choosing actions that reflect your true desires and needs. It’s about living with a sense of purpose and focus, rather than getting lost in distractions or doing things out of habit.
This doesn’t mean perfection or having every day go according to plan. Instead, it’s about making thoughtful choices that bring you closer to your true self and your long-term vision for your life. Intentional living allows you to slow down, be present, and savor the experiences that truly matter.
Intentions vs. Resolutions: What’s the Difference?
At the start of the year, many of us feel compelled to make resolutions—goals that we often set with the best intentions but may struggle to maintain. These resolutions are often focused on external outcomes, like losing weight, getting a promotion, or achieving a specific milestone. While these goals are valuable, they can feel rigid and come with pressure to perform or succeed.
Intentions, on the other hand, are guiding principles that focus on who you want to become and how you want to approach life. Intentions are less about achieving a particular result and more about living in a way that aligns with your values. For example, instead of setting a resolution to “exercise every day,” an intention might be “to prioritize my physical well-being with gentle movement and self-compassion.” Intentions give you the freedom to adjust as life unfolds, making them a more sustainable and compassionate approach.
Where resolutions often feel like a “to-do” list, intentions feel more like a mindset—a way of being in the world that allows for flexibility and grace, especially when circumstances are beyond your control.
How to Live Intentionally
Living intentionally doesn’t require dramatic changes or grand gestures. It’s about small, everyday choices that lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Here are a few ways to begin living intentionally:
Clarify Your Values and Priorities To live intentionally, it’s essential to understand what truly matters to you. Take some time to reflect on your core values—whether it’s faith, family, health, creativity, or personal growth. Once you have a clearer understanding of your values, you can make choices that align with them, ensuring that you’re living in a way that feels authentic.
Set Intentions, Not Goals As we discussed, intentions are about how you want to show up in the world. Begin each day or week with a simple intention, like “I will approach my day with gratitude” or “I will take time for self-care.” These intentions can serve as a gentle reminder to stay aligned with your values, no matter what challenges arise.
Be Present Intentional living requires mindfulness—being present in the moment and fully experiencing life as it unfolds. Whether you’re spending time with loved ones, taking a walk, or engaging in work, try to focus on what’s happening right now, instead of worrying about the past or future. Simple practices like deep breathing, mindful walking, or journaling can help you stay present.
Let Go of Perfectionism – Perfectionism often prevents us from living intentionally because it creates unrealistic expectations and the pressure to be “perfect.” Instead of trying to get everything right, focus on progress, not perfection. Allow yourself to make mistakes and grow from them.
Create Space for Rest and Reflection Living intentionally also means creating space to rest and reflect. Whether you spend time in nature, meditate, or simply take a few moments of quiet each day, these practices allow you to reconnect with yourself and your inner guidance.
Living intentionally is especially powerful for those of us with chronic conditions. Chronic illness often forces us to slow down and reevaluate how we spend our time and energy. By adopting an intentional approach to life, we can find more peace and joy in the midst of challenges.
Here’s how living intentionally can be adapted when dealing with a chronic illness:
Chronic illness often requires adjusting your pace. By setting an intention to honor your body’s needs and limits, you can avoid overexertion and burnout. Instead of pushing through pain or fatigue, approach your day with patience and self-compassion, recognizing that rest and self-care are essential parts of healing.
Chronic illness often brings uncertainty. However, you can control how you respond to challenges. Living intentionally means focusing on the things that are within your power—such as your mindset, the small choices you make each day, and the attitude you bring to your circumstances. This shift in focus can reduce stress and increase your sense of agency.
With a chronic condition, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s not working or the things you can’t do. Intentional living encourages you to focus on what you can do and to find joy in those things. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, enjoying a hobby, or taking a moment to appreciate nature, making space for joy can help you navigate your health challenges with more grace.
Chronic illness can create feelings of guilt or inadequacy, especially when you feel like you’re not living up to societal expectations of productivity or success. Intentional living invites you to let go of these external pressures. Instead, define success on your own terms—whether that means resting, seeking treatment, or simply being kind to yourself on tough days.
Living with a chronic condition often requires flexibility. Your energy levels, symptoms, and needs can change from day to day. By setting intentions that are adaptable, you allow space for your circumstances to shift. This flexibility allows you to honor both your needs and your goals, without the pressure of rigid resolutions.
Living intentionally is about creating a life that reflects your values, goals, and needs. It’s a compassionate approach to life that encourages mindfulness, patience, and presence, making it especially helpful for those with chronic illness. By setting intentions, prioritizing rest, and focusing on what truly matters, you can cultivate joy and peace even in the face of adversity.
Whether you’re dealing with health challenges or simply navigating the busy pace of life, living intentionally offers a pathway to deeper fulfillment and contentment. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, with purpose and grace.
