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Every January, we do this strange, slightly masochistic thing. We make a list of everything we’re not doing well enough… and call them resolutions.
- I’m not "fit" enough.
- I’m not productive enough.
- I’m not patient enough.
- I’m not doing enough of [insert your own self-doubts here].
Honestly? I’m tired of it. And I don’t want to spend another year feeling like I’m failing at self-improvement.
So I thought, what if there was another way?
The Year Everything Shifted
Last fall, I lost my mom. And in the quiet and the grief that followed, something became very clear — I was doing too much. Not because anyone asked me to, but because I expected it of myself. I was trying to be the best mom, the best room parent, the best volunteer, the best at work, the best wife, the best friend...And it was exhausting.
My mom used to tell me all the time, “You’re doing too much.” Turns out, she was right (she usually was). So this year, I’m slowing down. I’m being more intentional with my time. I’m choosing presence over pressure.
No Resolution. Just an Intention.
Instead of a resolution (that the vast majority of us abandon anyway), I’m choosing a year of intention. My intention for this year is simple:
Less pressure. More peace.
That means I will make mistakes, and that’s okay. I won’t quit just because something isn’t perfect. I’ll focus on progress, not punishment.
Case in point: I tried to make pizza on New Year’s Eve in my new outdoor pizza oven. I didn't have a pizza peel yet, so the pizzas turned out more like burnt calzones (READ: it was an absolute disaster). The kitchen was chaos. The dinner? Turned out totally fine. A couple of complaints about "char" (we're in a serious "nothing burnt" phase), but my almost-seven-year-old not only ate the dinner, he also learned an important lesson:
Mom makes mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is learning from them. That’s growth.
Enter: ✨ 75 Days of Glimmer ✨
You’ve probably heard of those ultra-intense challenges, you know, the ones that require two workouts a day, strict rules, and starting over if you mess up.
That’s not the season I’m in, but I do believe there’s power in paying attention. In noticing joy. In making room for gratitude in everyday life.
That’s where the 75 Days of Glimmer challenge comes in. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. It’s a small moment that makes your nervous system exhale.
A laugh.
A good song.
A warm cup of coffee.
A walk outside.
So for the next 75 days, I’m focusing on glimmers — small, intentional moments of joy.
No starting over, no guilt, just awareness. And if that sounds like something you need this year, I’d love to have you along. Nothing dramatic. Just clearing space, both physically and mentally.
Why Intentions Work Better Than Resolutions
Resolutions are rigid. Life isn’t. Intentions let you adapt without failing, shift without quitting, and grow without self-inflicted consequences.
A few things that actually help:
- Short-term goals that ladder up to your intention
- A deep “why” (and asking “why” more than once)
- Built-in rest, because creativity happens when you relax
- Realistic expectations for your season of life
Consistency beats intensity. Every time.
A Few Questions I’m Sitting With This Year
- What do I need to let go of that no longer serves me?
- What did I accomplish — even if it felt small?
- What story have I been telling myself that’s holding me back?
We’re all a work in progress. No one is coming to save us, but we can save ourselves.
And on the other side of uncomfortable action? There’s growth, confidence, and peace. So, if you want to join me, do it messy. Do it scared. And do it anyway.
Small changes can lead to big shifts. Joy doesn’t have to be earned, just noticed.
Here’s to a year of less pressure and more peace. ✨🥂💛
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