Optimistic Intentions > New Year’s Resolutions

A new year is a great excuse for a fresh start: a full 12 months ahead where anything is possible. You might be thinking about your resolutions for 2023—maybe this will be the year that you start working out religiously, or the year that you read dozens more books than ever before, meditate every day, create the perfect morning routine, renovate your kitchen, clean out all your closets, write that novel that’s been living in your head, and generally become the magical, idealized version of yourself that’s always just a little bit out of reach.

Or, well, maybe none of those things will happen this year. (Sorry!). The good news is, you don’t have to accomplish every goal in 2023 for it to be a meaningful, fun year filled with positivity and purpose. Instead of setting specific resolutions, we’re setting optimistic intentions as we head into the new year. Optimistic intentions are flexible, vague (on purpose), and designed to evolve as your year progresses. Here are our top three:

1. Put ourselves in the way of beauty.

This optimistic intention is based on a quote from Wild by writer Cheryl Strayed: “There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset and it’s up to you to choose to be there for it. Put yourself in the way of beauty.”

In 2023, we’re seeking out moments that remind us of the world’s inherent beauty and goodness—whether that’s a hike to the top of a mountain, a day trip to a nearby art museum, or a short stroll under a starry night sky.

2. Let ourselves be surprised.

It’s easy to get caught up in routines, to get set in our ways, and to think we know the path that our life will take. Well, in 2023 we’re letting ourselves get derailed. We’re following our curiosity, trying new things, and letting life change our understanding of ourselves—for the better.

3. Make things.

Creativity is the name of the game next year. Whether your medium is poetry, painting, baking, knitting, or something else entirely, there is something truly satisfying about using an art form to bring your thoughts out of your head and into something concrete. Start small and watch it grow—if you wrote a page a day, for example, at the end of the year you’d have a full-length book.

What do you think about optimistic intentions? Will you be setting any for 2023? Let us know on Instagram!