Living with intention is one of the most powerful ways we can shape our lives … not through force or perfection, but through clarity and presence. Intention is the quiet yet steady energy that guides our choices, helping us align what we do with who we truly are. It’s the difference between drifting through our days and consciously steering them toward meaning. When we pause long enough to listen inward, we begin to move from a place of alignment rather than reaction.

As the poet Mary Oliver reminds us, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

That question isn’t meant to pressure us; it’s meant to wake us up to what really matters. I’m not diminishing your resolutions. I am inviting you to shift from the stress of chasing a resolution to the calm power of embodying an intention. One demands achievement; the other invites alignment. See the difference?

Before setting any goals or resolutions, I invite you to slow down. Take a few deep breaths. Let your body settle. Intention setting works best when the nervous system feels calm and grounded, not rushed or overstimulated.

Then, take a few minutes with these guided journal prompts:

1. Reflection
What feels most alive, important, or unresolved for me right now?
Write honestly, without censoring yourself. Let what wants to be seen come to the surface.

2. Clarity
If I were to focus my energy on one meaningful intention this year, what would it be?
Keep it simple. A clear intention is often more powerful than many competing ones.

3. Support
What kind of support or accountability would help me stay connected to this intention?

Consider what would genuinely help such as encouragement, consistency, community, or structure.

To get the most out of this practice, read your answers back slowly. Notice how they feel in your body. An intention should feel steady and truthful, not forced.

If you feel called, I’d love for you to hit reply and share your intention with me. You don’t have to hold it alone. Naming it aloud creates accountability, and support can make all the difference.

Here’s to living with intention, one mindful choice at a time.

With care,
Ashton, Founder of YouAligned and YA Classes