Day 2: Setting Positive Intentions: Let's Set Some Together!
Hi everyone,
7 Cups has an exciting online therapy update to share this month. To celebrate, we’re doing 25 days of Gratitude, Self-Care, and Personal Growth and please keep checking each day for updates! On Day 2, I want us to discuss the power of setting daily intentions and how they can be transformed. Life is a journey, and each day presents us with countless opportunities and possibilities to make an impact. Embracing the practice of setting daily intentions, we can navigate the day with purpose. Setting daily intentions not only helps you stay focused on your goals but also enhances your overall well-being and happiness.
So, the question arises what are positive daily intentions? In the simplest words, they are the positive affirmations and goals we set for ourselves at the start of each day. These intentions act as a guiding compass, directing our thoughts, actions, and choices toward a desired outcome. As we start setting daily intentions, we become conscious creators of our reality, shaping our lives according to our deepest desires and dreams.
How to go about setting daily intentions. Well, it is all about finding what resonates with you and aligning your intentions with your core values and aspirations. Here are a few steps to get started:
- Begin your day with gratitude. Having a grateful mindset, you open yourself up to receive more abundance and positivity.
- Take a moment to visualize how you want your day to unfold. See yourself accomplishing tasks, having good interactions, and experiencing moments of joy and fulfillment.
- Break down your bigger goals into smaller, actionable steps that you can take each day. By setting specific goals, you create a roadmap to achieve your goals.
- Embrace affirmations to transform your mindset and attract positive experiences. Choose affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them throughout the day to reinforce positive beliefs.
- Practice self-care: Make self-care a priority by incorporating activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul into your daily routine. It can be something that helps you feel calmed and relaxed.
But many face the common challenge of sticking to daily intentions. We all know that life is a rollercoaster ride and can throw curveballs. It is easy to get sidetracked or overwhelmed and it is okay. It is natural to experience it. So to deal with that and to ensure you stay on track, you can try these tips to incorporate into your steps:
- Simply begin by setting one or two intentions each day. As you build consistency, you can gradually add more intentions to your daily practice. Small steps lead to big changes.
- Sometimes life is unpredictable, and sometimes our plans may need to be adjusted. So, it is needed to embrace flexibility and adapt your intentions. The key is to stay committed to your overall vision while being open to different paths.
- At the end of each day, take a few moments to reflect on your intentions. Celebrate your wins, acknowledge areas for improvement, and make adjustments for the next day. Please know, that progress is a journey, not a destination.
Here are some examples of positive intentions:
- I will try to be kind to myself.
- I will practice gratitude.
- I will let go.
- I will prioritize my mental health.
- I will read one page of a book today.
- I will set boundaries.
So, today’s prompt for this discussion is: If you can let go of a habit or behavior that no longer serves you and your highest good, then what will it be?
Setting positive intentions is not just about wishful thinking. It requires action, commitment, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Let’s get started and share your thoughts with us.
I have BPD, so one thing I'm working on trying to let go of or need less of, is constant validation .
@KaliWolfie Thank you for sharing your intention of letting go the need of constant validation, Kali. Wanting validation is very human, and it is nice to reflect on how to meet that need in healthy ways. What feelings come up for you as you work on needing less constant validation? We are all here with you in supporting you practice this intention.
@ASilentObserver
I will live my life with awareness of the consequences of my speech and actions in order to avoid hurting anyone.
I will look for and take advantage of opportunities to be of service and to benefit others as I go through my day.
This is such a great thread about setting positive intentions! I like what you have written Obs about it not being about wishful thinking.
I can sometimes set really high expectations of myself that are unrealistic and sometimes I need to let things be and unfold naturally. This is a good reminder to check in with myself and what is no longer positively serving me.
@ASilentObserver
Thank you for this helpful post!
If you can let go of a habit or behavior that no longer serves you and your highest good, then what will it be?
I am working on to accept that life is not always fair and accepting how things are gives freedom.
@ASilentObserver
If you can let go of a habit or behavior that no longer serves you and your highest good, then what will it be?
If I can let go of a habit or behaviour that no longer serves me and my highest good, then it will be eating and drinking less mindfully and then take that positive energy that comes from it into everything else I do.
@communicativePond1728 Thank you for sharing your intentions with us Pond. It seems focusing more on mindful eating and drinking would serve you well. You clearly want what is best for your highest good, and small shifts sometimes make the biggest difference. If I can ask, how this positive change could enhance other areas of your life?
@ASilentObserver
I think if I eat and drink more mindfully, I'll recieve many benefits in other areas!
It might improve my health, and patience.
And maybe if I'm mindful in one thing, I'll be more mindful in all the others...because isn't how we do something is how we do anything?
@ASilentObserver
If you can let go of a habit or behavior that no longer serves you and your highest good, then what will it be?
One habit/behaviour I can let go of is excessive worrying & channel that energy into healthier self care & more positive thinking. It doesn't serve me or my higher good to waste energy to excessively worry.
@CaringSub It is understandable excessive worrying has been taking a lot of your energy. It can be really draining. Refocusing that energy into more positive self-care and thinking seems like a good approach and I hope it serve you better. What aspects of positive self-care have you found most helpful so far, even if a bit?
@ASilentObserver
What self care I have found that helps, when I recognize I am worrying too much is, breathing exercises & brief meditation. I use it to help interrupt the worrying, try to reset & think more clear/positive.
@ASilentObserver Is there a tag list for this series?
@cloudySummer there is a taglist for the Therapy Community which is offering this serioes.
You can sign up here https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/AnnouncementsandUpdates_2176/JoinTheTaglistgetalertssoyoudonotmissanythinginTherapySubcom_269989/
Thank you for your interest
soulsings
Community Mentor Leader Therapy Community
@soulsings Mmh, thanks. I don't want to get all messages for this community, though. I'll check back now and then instead.
If I were to let go of a habit or behavior it would be my increasing cynicism. Being skewed towards negative thinking, immediately thinking others as self-centered instead of genuinely kind when they offer to help you, etc. It's something that's just more of a bother to my well-being instead of being a means of self-protection. It's not something to easily let go of, though.
@cafedaydreams I hear you. I think most of us have had people promise to help us but they had a selfish intention. On 7 Cups I find that there is less room for that to happen so I can trust people more on 7 Cups than I may be inclined to in real life.
@cafedaydreams Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Cafe. I hear you that how it can be challenging to let go of habits that have become ingrained. You are aware that constantly expecting the worst in others is more draining than protective. Maintaining hopes while also protecting yourself takes strength and awareness. I'm glad you recognize the impact on your well-being and are considering what brings you more peace. How does focusing on cynicism tend to make you feel?
@ASilentObserver I am trying to work on being kinder to myself and not talking to myself in a negative way. It's a big challenge for me. I think it will take time and me being patient to work on this.
@Taylorz27 that is a great idea.
@soulsings Thank you
@Taylorz27 Thank you for sharing about your goal of being kinder to yourself, Taylor. It can be challenging to change patterns of self-talk, but making an effort to be patient and compassionate is admirable. Small steps towards kindness are still steps forward. We are all here rooting for you as you take these small steps <3
@ASilentObserver Thank you it's very hard but I want to start being more kinder to myself.
@ASilentObserver
If you can let go of a habit or behavior that no longer serves you and your highest good, then what will it be?
Procrastination, most definitely.
