Building Intentional Habits for a Life You’ll Love This Year
A Fresh Start for Women Balancing It All
If the phrase “New Year, New You” makes you want to eye-roll so hard you risk a sprain, welcome to the club. The truth is, we don’t need a new version of ourselves—we’re already pretty fabulous. What we need are systems that work for us, not against us.
As a working mom and business owner, I’ve learned that focusing on my strengths and building intentional habits is way more effective (and less exhausting) than trying to bulldoze my perceived weaknesses. That’s why every January, I trade the pressure-cooker resolutions for my trusty “Intentional Habits Workbook.” Think of it as a roadmap to a year that feels like me—but a little more organized, intentional, and, dare I say… fun.
Why Habits Matter More Than Resolutions
Resolutions often feel like a bad boyfriend—vague promises, no follow-through, and plenty of disappointment. Habits, on the other hand, are the steady, loyal partner you deserve. They’re built on consistency, not grandiosity, and they actually work.
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Translation? Dream big, but act small. Start with tiny, meaningful steps if you’re plotting world domination (or just a laundry system that doesn’t involve 2 a.m. panic folding).
Check out this blog post by James Clear featuring an excerpt from chapter three of his bestselling book. Discover how to easily establish new habits and eliminate old, undesirable ones.
Aligning Goals with Your Values
Here’s a hot take: Your goals should feel like a natural extension of your values—not a soul-crushing to-do list. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, building a business, or finding joy in the little moments, alignment is key.
As a branding nerd, I’ve realized that personal goals aren’t all that different from crafting a killer brand strategy. You need to:
Know your core values (they may have shifted since last year!).
Create a vision that feels authentic.
Set a mission that supports the vision.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling lost, check out Womanhood Unwrapped’s guide to staying true to yourself. Spoiler: It’s like therapy, but with fewer tears and more action steps.
Breaking Old Patterns (Without the Guilt Trip)
We all have our crutches—late-night snacks, hitting snooze, doom-scrolling. And while these habits might feel comforting in the moment, they often leave us stuck in a rut. The good news? Breaking patterns doesn’t require a Herculean effort, just a little honesty and a solid plan.
Here’s a quick exercise to try:
STOP: What habits or behaviors are weighing you down?
START: What small changes can you introduce to feel lighter and happier?
CONTINUE: What’s already working that deserves a high five?
Note: These steps were inspired by the amazing Mel Robin, who outlines these and more steps for reflecting and planning your new year in her podcast episode, How to Make Next Year the Best Year.
You can break down these goals into smaller steps once you know what you want to stop, start, and continue.
Daily Practices to Empower Your Year
Life doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. Start with these habits:
Morning Mindfulness: A 10-minute meditation or quick journal session can transform your day. My personal rule? Coffee only after I’ve meditated. (Trust me, the coffee tastes better when paired with clarity.)
Scheduled Self-Care: This isn’t about luxury—it’s survival. Whether it’s yoga, therapy, or a good ol’ Netflix binge, pencil it in and protect that time fiercely.
Gratitude and Reflection: Burnout loves unchecked ambition. Pause once a week to celebrate what’s going right. I email myself a gratitude list each morning—it’s cheesy but effective.
Boundaries for Work and Family: Compartmentalize like your sanity depends on it—because it does. When you’re with your family, put the phone down. When you’re working, close the email tabs.
Staying Accountable Without the Guilt
Accountability gets a bad rap, but hear me out: It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep it simple with these strategies:
Buddy Up: Find a friend, coach, or mentor who can cheer you on (and call you out).
Track Your Progress: Habit-tracking apps or a good old-fashioned journal can keep you honest. Here are a few resources I trust:
Way of Life app - Great for tracking and changing your life habits.
Build-A-Habit Guide - A guide and notebook that equips you with the research principles for long-lasting behavior change and actively encourages you to do the chosen habit.
Celebrate Small Wins: Did you work out twice this week instead of zero? High-five yourself. Progress is progress.
Intentional Habits Workbook
Are you ready to take your life to the next level by building habits and goals that stick?
We’ve got your back! Download the Womanhood Unwrapped Intentional Habits Workbook, and start your new year today! It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting the year out or right in the middle of it. Just start! What your Intentional Habits Workbook Includes:
A values reflection exercise.
A goal-setting framework.
A 30-day habit tracker template.
Space for weekly reflections and progress reviews.
A section for celebrating wins and setting new intentions.
Download the Intentional Habits Workbook now to design your most fulfilling year yet!
Empowering Women to Thrive
At the end of the day or year, remember that intentional change starts with small practices and steps toward a big goal. You are ready; you just need to take the first step!
If you need a little added push to get yourself in gear for the new year with goal setting and aligning with your values, read this post about how to Get Yourself into Gear for the Year in 30 Days.
