As we step into a new year, it’s easy to feel pressure to make big plans, set bold goals, and completely reinvent ourselves. Yet over time, I’ve learned that meaningful change rarely comes from dramatic resolutions. Instead, it grows from small, daily intentions. These quieter intentions for the new year – simple, intentional choices we return to each day – often make the biggest and most lasting difference.
For this post, I reached out to the wonderful souls featured in my Friday Socials posts throughout the year and invited them to share two or three small daily intentions that have benefited them, or that they hope to carry into the new year.
I am so grateful that some of the creatives came back to me to share their small daily intentions for the new year. And just so that I don’t take all the credit for their tips, I have added some of my own, too. So, what are their small daily intentions to make a big difference for the new year?
Read also ‘What Is a Better Alternative to a New Year’s Resolution?‘
Small daily intentions for the new year that make a big difference
- Brianna Barrett @briannagrams.com
The Best Start to the Day – The best way to start my day is with God’s Word. Each morning, I grab my coffee and settle on the couch with my Bible and journal. Intentionally beginning my morning in prayer to God and with my Bible helps me start the day correctly. I pour out whatever is on my heart and in my mind to God during this time. Journaling helps me get my thoughts on paper and out of my head, serving as an act of surrender. I lay my burdens down and pray over them. When something happens that prevents me from starting my day this way, I notice how irritable or distracted I become. Beginning my day intentionally by releasing things to God and inviting Him into my day is the best way I’ve found to start off right.
Moving Despite the Pain – I try to move my body most days. That seems simple to some, and others are probably afraid to read on. Moving my body may consist of stretching or simply taking a walk outside. Other days, it’s cardio on the elliptical and light weight training. There are times that, despite my best efforts, I can’t get in a workout or a walk, and I’ve found in those moments that I need to show myself some grace. Instead of pushing myself and possibly injuring myself or making the pain worse, I offer grace and choose a simple stretch and meditation. YouTube has many meditations of scripture and prayer you can do, or simply sitting and being still while thinking of positive affirmations is good for our bodies and our mental health.
- Amber Ginter Johnson @AmberGinter.com
Take One Rest Day a Week – We live in a culture of busyness. It’s not the norm to ready, set, slow (Tanner Olson). But God doesn’t call us to grind ourselves to the ground. He calls us to do what we can and then leave the rest in His hands. In May of 2024, I resigned from teaching to write full-time. Instead of taking a moment to pause, I ran headfirst into this new calling a million miles a minute. About a year into this lifestyle, I realized that God gives us the Sabbath as a gift. Not because He needs it, but because He knows we do. It’s countercultural, but one day a week I mark “Sabbath” on my calendar. It’s not been easy, but making time to cease from striving has nourished my soul.
Remember to Pause – As someone with high-functioning anxiety, pausing isn’t really in my vocabulary. I wonder if it’s in yours? The funny thing about making time and space to breathe is that everything in you will fight it. You can’t afford to take five minutes off. Pause. Notice your surroundings. So anxiety says. I’m here to remind you: Yes, you can. And it’s necessary that you do. The to-do list and chores will still be there. The things racking your mind will still be there. But you have to remember to take care of yourself. And tending to the Temple, God made matters.
- Dawn R. Ward @Dawn R. Ward
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22 ESV
As the year-end approaches, I reflect on 2025 as a year of both grief and grace. I experienced deep grief at the passing of my father and yet rejoiced in the goodness and grace of our Lord who faithfully knocked on the door of his heart until the very end. My heart broke as I watched my son battle his beasts of addiction and mental illness. Yet, I rejoiced as the Lord sustained his life and renewed my hope. The beauty of embracing the pain of grief enveloped in the precious grace of my Savior is a gift I will treasure as I step into the new year.
Because my thoughts didn’t always align with my faith in 2025, I have chosen three daily intentions for 2026. Each day I will make a daily decision to grow intentionally in my faith. These daily decisions will be made as the Holy Spirit guides me in the areas He desires to work in my life. Next, I will select a Bible verse that aligns with my daily decision. I plan to carry this verse with me and meditate on it throughout the day. Finally, I will write a daily declaration to honor the daily decision I made. I will speak this declaration throughout the day as a spiritual act of worship to my Lord.
How grateful I am that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (and every year). Small intentions can result in tremendous growth and transformation as we daily choose to follow Jesus.
- Corine E. Phillips @Corine E. Phillips
I’m sharing the daily intentions that have been meaningful to me this year. They reflect small, conscious choices I return to daily and that have made a quiet but significant difference in how I live and show up.
One of my daily intentions is to train my mind toward gratitude. Whenever I feel my thoughts drifting toward negativity, I gently pause and choose to see the glass half full instead. This practice has helped me become more aware of my inner dialogue and more intentional about what I allow to shape my outlook. I’ve learned that gratitude is a conscious decision to anchor myself in what is still good and present.
Another daily intention I hold is to honor who I am beyond what I produce. I no longer feel guilty for resting when my body asks for it, and I remind myself regularly that my worth is not tied to my accomplishments. I also choose to operate in my femininity by caring for myself both inwardly and outwardly and moving through the world with softness.
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My personal tips for the new year
I’m deeply grateful to each of the contributors for sharing so openly and thoughtfully. Their reflections remind us that our intentions for the new year don’t need to be perfect or ambitious – they simply need to be honest and sustainable.
I also wanted to share a few intentions for the new year that I’m holding close myself. One that feels especially important is how I begin my mornings. Instead of reaching for my phone straight away, I try to give myself a few quiet moments to set my intentions for the day ahead. I also create space each morning to spend time with God, reading the Bible and grounding myself before the noise and demands of the day begin.
Another intention I’m carrying into the new year is to stop “shoulding” myself so much. Rather than focusing on how far along I should be – with my healing, my writing, or my life – I’m learning to honour where I am right now. To do my best each day, to allow myself time to rest, and to trust that growth doesn’t need to be rushed.
Read also ‘Thriving in the New Year: Essential Mental Health Tips for Lasting Change‘
Intentions for the new year: A compassionate approach
For some, intentions for the new year can feel complicated. The new year often brings a mix of hope, pressure, and tenderness – especially for those carrying grief, trauma, or deep exhaustion. If you’re finding it hard to set intentions or even imagine what lies ahead, please know this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. Healing isn’t linear, and there is no deadline to meet. Small, compassionate choices – resting when you need to, showing up as you are, taking one gentle step at a time – are more than enough. My hope is that these shared intentions remind you that you’re not alone, that your pace is valid, and that even in the quietest moments, meaningful change is already unfolding.
As always, I’d love to hear your reflections. Do you set intentions for the new year? What are you hoping to carry forward, or gently let go of, this year?
Wishing you a year full of light, love, and compassion.
Thank you and till the next blog post,
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I really appreciate this insightful and compassionate approach to a season which can be so overwhelming and isolating for people! I am in a similar state of mind to the one you described where I am carrying a lot of emotional burden this year and New Years Resolutions just feel like too much. Even on easier years I think traditional approaches to New Year Resolutions have led me to burnout and guilt when I can’t reach the impossibly high standards I set or if something out of my control happens that derails my plans. I love your idea of focusing on smaller intentional changes that help build a better and healthier approach to life through cultivation of self love and care. My resolution for this year is to not let myself get so negative and try to be grateful and happy in any way I can in a given moment because a small attitude change would do wonders for me sometimes! Thanks again for the original approach to this topic!