January Intentions

A novel way to watch, read, eat and experience the month

Jan 05, 2025

Happy New Year! Since last spring, we’ve kicked off each month with a creative project check-in, modeled after the Mastermind Groups that have played such a significant role in my work and life.

If you enjoyed those posts, I hope you’ll be excited to continue reading and engaging with them, in a new way, this year, with an emphasis on intention!

The Power of Fresh Starts

Each January, I enthusiastically take part in all the beginning-of-the-year activities, like creating a vision board, choosing a word of the year, and making a 25 in 25 list. I can’t get enough of them, and it made me curious why I’m so enlivened by them.

It occurred to me that, as someone who’s inclined to let others make decisions (Enneagram 9 🙋🏻‍♀️), setting intentions is imperative to ensure I’m following the desires in my heart. It makes me laugh that I even need to remind myself of the things I want to do.

A New Monthly Ritual for Us to Share

My vision is that these beginning-of-the-month posts will mimic those January rituals I love so much, including choosing a word of focus, creating a mood board, and crafting a small list of intentions.

I’m keeping this first post as a free read, but for the remainder of the year, the first post of each month will be for paid subscribers only, giving you the opportunity to share your intentions amid a small, safe group of kind, creative-minded people.

If you enjoy this post and would like to access the rest of them throughout the year, click below to save 30%. Paid subscribers also receive free calendar downloads and immediate access to my Digital Vision Board Toolkit (a $39 value).

👉 Save 30% on annual subscriptions + receive your Vision Board Bonus through January 12, 2025.

January Intentions

✨ Moodboard

1. Lemon water, to represent a fresh start and an emphasis on wellness.

2. A manuscript, with the intention to finish my current draft by the end of the month.

3. Books and a fireplace, for cozy moments and library trips with my parents, who will be here for the winter!

4. Hands and wrists, to explore movement in new ways.

5. A starburst for energy, imagination, and unexpected magic (which I’m totally ruining by saying I’m expecting it 😂).

6. Time for coffee, treats, and gatherings with creative friends—what I’m most looking forward to this month!

7. Home organization so that everything feels a little lighter.

8. Fashion and elegance, dressing how I want to feel. I just restarted my Rent the Runway subscription and have a batch of new clothes on the way!

9. A lamp, for soft light, literally, throughout our home, and to bring that energy with me wherever I go.

🔍 Word of Focus: Novel

I love the energy that the new year brings. It motivates me to tackle projects that would otherwise seem like a drag (like cleaning out the pantry) and to enjoy new things that have come into the house in the form of Christmas gifts (I’m beyond excited to wear my new apron and cook something delicious).

Words with duality make my heart sing! This word will also help me focus on completing the third draft of my book.

📺📚🍴🙋🏻‍♀️ Watch / Read / Eat / Experience

Something I’d like to watch: A Complete Unknown, the recently-released biopic about Bob Dylan.

Something I’d like to read: Colored Television by Danzy Senna

Something I’d like to eat: Lentil soup. I’m going to try this recipe from Love and Lemons.

Something I’d like to experience: Trying a new dance class. I think I’m going to ~~dust off~~ buy new tap shoes and give an adult class a whirl!

⭐️ Goals and Intentions

By the end of January, I’d like to: Complete the third draft of my book.

Perceived obstacles: I’m discouraged by the amount of editing that’s needed for the fourth draft, and I’m getting frustrated that I’m not finished yet. I think stalling is my (stupid) way of rebelling.

Ideas for overcoming them:

- Scheduling dedicated writing sessions

- Reading books to inspire my writing

- Meeting with writer friends

- Watching a MasterClass on writing

💬 Your Turn!

Share as much as you’d like below:

1. What’s your word of focus?

2. What would you like to Watch / Read / Eat / Experience in January?

3. By the end of January, I’d like to __________.

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

I made focaccia bread for the first time! This is the recipe I used. It came out delicious!
I had a virtual art session with my nephew and nieces. My nephew led us in drawing rainbow hot chocolates.
Over ten years late, I started listening to the podcast You Must Remember This from the beginning—and it has completely consumed me, in the best way!
I made my cheeky 2025 In/Out list and a scrapbook-style recap from 2024.
I finished writing this from one of my favorite coffee shops!

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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