Change begins with wanting something different, and an acknowledgment of what you want. An intention can be the beginning of powerful, intense healing and positive change. Whether that’s eating healthier, taking care of your mental health, moving your body more, or making better choices about who you let into your life … it all begins with that idea.

I repeat — intentions have to begin with YOU, and what YOU want.

Change doesn’t happen with a snap of a finger. It’s not enough to just want to change, or have a new intention- be it small or large. Commitment to successfully implementing that intention has to follow.

If you’re not in the right place with the right intention- that commitment can be strangling instead of freeing. Even with the really tough things in life that feel so overwhelming, like you’re drowning in feelings on dry land- can be made a tad easier if you know that the intention behind it is healing, or betterment of yourself. Setting intentions is the beginning of all positive change.

Look, I know that life is hard sometimes. It’s hard to change eating habits, and negative self thoughts, and the idea of having to constantly be on guard to catch yourself from failing at these positive goals is, well, overwhelming. It seems easier to not start, right?

Do you really want that to be your life though?

Do you?

Failure isn’t something to fear, it’s something to learn from.

You’ll set an intention, and at some point you’ll trip up, and that’s okay. Remembering that intention, and staying committed to it is what matters. You have to live, eat, and breathe that intention and remember what’s at the end of all that work.

If your intention is having a healthier body- staying committed means eating better, drinking more water, and however you can, moving your body more. It means starting with small changes, and building upon that success until you can look at your body and love it.

If your intention is finding healing from old wounds, or old trauma- your answer might lie in finding a professional therapist. But it’s also going to take being comfortable enough to feel that pain again, to be sad, and angry, and whatever else your soul requires to make peace. At the end of all of that- you can find that you feel steady, and like you own your life, not your past.

Whatever it is that you want to change- create a ritual around it.

Create a quiet space, and connecting to yourself with deep breaths. Close your eyes, provided you’re in a safe space, and tell yourself what you want to change. Repeat that a few times. Keep taking those deep breaths, and when you’ve taken that moment- write that intention down.

Set text reminders on your phone, or watch for a certain time during the day. Daily reminders of intended change is critical to success. Find a pretty postcard, or colorful post-its, and put that intention on your bathroom mirror, or on your fridge- wherever you’ll see every day. When you see that intention again- take that second to go back into yourself with those deep breaths and remind yourself of what you want.

After a week, and then a month, and so on- check in with yourself. See what you’ve accomplished towards your goal, and be proud of whatever it is you’ve done.

All change is just on the other side of wishing.

Woohoo!!!

Happy Intention Setting!

Robin Lee is a medical intuitive, author, mentor, gratitude advocate, and speaker who has helped thousands of people around the world understand the language of their bodies. Robin believes that our bodies innately know how to balance and heal themselves if given proper care and support. Visit her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter, where she shares tips, tools, and techniques to honor our bodies and heal our lives!

Image courtesy of RF._.studio.