On the winter solstice (December 21st), I saw a couple Instagram reels on setting intentions for the coming year. I'm pretty sure it was all rooted in Wiccan practices which 100% are not bad, but as an Episcopalian turned Mormon turned ex-mormon turned Episcopalian, it's not in my wheelhouse (yet?) but honestly it sounded like a really fun idea and a definitely better way to prepare for 2026 than making a bunch of unachievable new years resolutions.
What I read (watched) said that I needed to set 13 intentions, write them down in present tense, fold them up on small pieces of paper, and then starting that day and the following 11 days, properly dispose of (burn) 12 of the 13 intentions to show that I would be trusting the universe to take care of those. The remaining intention would be for me to nurture and care for more intentionally on my own.
I'm pretty sure the intentions were supposed to be focused on feelings rather than concrete descriptions of myself, but I'm giving myself some grace here since I decided to do this based on one video (and then re-Googling it a bunch when my ADHD brain inevitably forgot important details such as how many days in I was and how many intentions I should have left, haha).
Anyway, I wrote them down, rolled them up like tiny, itty-bitty scrolls (cute!) and used the overturned top to my fancy pants Versace perfume bottle to keep them safe in the bathroom like a weird little bouquet.
I don't trust myself to burn things safely in the house (or anywhere really) because I'm pretty clumsy and easily distracted and I also had my parents and sister's family staying with us for Christmas and I was not about to explain why I was trying a fun little Wiccan practice I found out about through Instagram that morning. My business is my own. I wasn't interested eliciting raised eyebrows and judgy questions -- unless my ADHD brain decided to overshare, but I was locking this one down. Except telling my partner. I had hoped she would want to do it with me, but she didn't suddenly, drastically, magically change from her known anti-new years resolution ways. Shocking.
So the other alternatives to burning the intentions were to bury it (yeah...no), or send it down a stream or river (also no). I decided that letting the paper dissolve in a Dixie cup of water while I brushed my teeth and then flushing it down the toilet was basically the same thing, just a little less aesthetic. So I flushed the intentions I trusted the universe to take care of...down the toilet. As I type this, I'm realizing that was probably not the best way to treat intentions I hope to come to me in 2026, seeing as the symbolism basically says buh-bye to those intentions. Whoops.
Hopefully the universe has pity on my stupidity.
My intentions weren't anything surprising tbh and I was kind of disappointed in the one that was left at the end, but now that I'm reflecting on it, it makes sense. Sort of how you can make whatever shape you want out of clouds if you squint hard enough. Still working on that positivity.
Anyway...here are my 2026 intentions set during the winter solstice.
I read books that strengthen and nourish me (Instead of the questionable choices I make by means of Kindle Unlimited)
I am a great mom (Honestly, I just needed the trust this one would be made true because I have some mad imposter syndrome about pretty much everything in my life)
I exercise and eat healthy (Gotta include some basic ones, right?)
I do not worry about money (Trying to take the focus off material things)
I speak to myself with love and respect (Just not calling myself a fucking idiot would be an improvement)
I do not fear trying to make friends (Because social anxiety tells me making friends is just as risky as hunting bears in the woods)
I assume positive intent (Hey, stop being an asshole by assuming everyone is thinking asshole things about you)
I accept my ADHD as part of me and not a failure (This one will probably require therapy)
I facilitate growth and connection at work (Get it girl!)
I am a loving, affectionate, respectful, and playful partner (Stop being a lazy partner because you've been sucking at that lately)
I put my family first (My partner's and my kids' happiness is the priority this year)
I am a selfless person (A generic way to prioritize volunteering, helping neighbors, and generally being more proactive about being the kind of person I want to be)
And the last one...the one that I'm in charge of this year:
I find joy in the act of living
Starting the new year with good intentions doesn't mean there won't be shitty days. It doesn't mean that I will suddenly maintain motivation or that my ADHD brain won't fuck me over. However, I can choose to find the joy despite the frustrations. I can choose to find the joy despite the inevitable sadness. I can choose to be the joy when it's hard to find. I did a pretty good job at genuinely enjoying being with my girls last year. I found even the frustrating parts of parenting not so bad, maybe because I'm learning to better appreciate the time I have with them since co-parenting slices away half of their childhood (brb, sobbing). But I'm pretty abysmal at finding the joy in everyday life when it's just me and my partner, and even worse when it's just me. If life is to be enjoyed and not just endured, it's time for me to do the work to find the joy in everyday life; peek around the corners, open the doors, and sometimes I might just have to squint a little more to see the joy. I can do that.
I think I can...I think I can...I think I can. Chugga-chugga-choo-choo bitches!