New Year’s Intentions

Written By : Jacqueline Rappa

In previous years, pretty much since I was a teenager, the idea of New Year’s felt daunting. I always felt forced to look back on how I’d grown that year: what I did, whether I reached any goals or milestones. Then, on top of that, I was expected to make a resolution and actually follow through with it? Scary.

I’ve done my fair share of “typical” resolutions: working out every day, indulging in “self-care.” They were never 100% successful because I put pressure on myself to show up fully, every single day, as the ideal version of me, which just isn’t realistic.

As 2026 begins, I’m not setting resolutions. I’m setting intentions — and giving myself grace. A simple example of a resolution versus an intention is this: I’m going to the gym five days a week versus I’m prioritizing daily movement, no matter how light or intense it is. If my body truly needs rest, I won’t be disappointed in myself for breaking a routine. I’ll replace it with a slow walk around the block instead.

This year, my intention can be defined by one word: whimsical. I want to find playfulness and magic in mundane moments. A simple way I’m doing this is by using my morning commute to indulge in the media I usually put on the back burner: reading a book, flipping through magazines, writing (even if it’s just in my notes app), or creating a Pinterest vision board. It will turn my commute into something I actually look forward to.

Another way I’m manifesting this intention is by living as though I’m in a 2000s rom-com. I adore the vibes of movies like Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary. You can feel the whimsy through the main characters who are completely themselves and aesthetics that scream “messy chic.” Their lives aren’t perfect, which makes it feel like a reminder that I can be the main character of my own life — while still figuring things out.

So, I recommend choosing one word and letting it guide your year. There are no rules. Maybe you change it five months in. The less pressure, the better, because real change happens when you feel inspired, not obligated.