Instead of using the old phrase “New Year, New Me,” we’re kicking off the year with loving who we are today.

It’s true that a new year brings a feeling of reinvention and possibility - we see this as a huge trend in stories and social media content every year. Now, though, it feels like tides are changing. We’re seeing influencers, media and our networks speak more consistently about sustainable practices year-round, mindfulness and more.

Inspired by this, I decided to approach New Year resolutions a little differently - instead  setting a new intention for each month of the year. In place of creating giant goals for the entire year, I wanted to create a monthly focus to steer my habits and life into the direction I want. I’m sharing my list of 12 intentions for 2019 that I hope might be helpful for you, too.

January - Use less plastic

Our landfills are piled high with plastics that will never disintegrate. So instead of buying individually packaged items, I’m considering reusable containers. You’ll also find yourself taking out the trash less, which is always a plus. I found an entire list of plastic alternatives here.

February - Exercise three times a week (at least)

I used to work out every single day,whether it was running outside, going to the gym or hitting the yoga mat. Getting older usually goes hand in hand with getting busier, and suddenly I found myself making excuses for not being able to exercise. I forgot how good you feel after a high-intensity work out class or even a jog through the neighborhood. I recently discovered SoulCycle and absolutely loved it. My legs, however, hated me for almost a week. It doesn’t matter what you do to stay active, just make sure to do something.

March - Make new friends

Let’s face it, most of us have a few close friends that we’ve had since college and find it hard to break from the comfort of our tribe! It can be difficult to make time to actively seek new friendships, but when you find a new tribe of people, it can be so rewarding. Look at it this way, they don’t know all the silly things you did in high school, you’ll be starting with a clean slate. If you’re unsure where to start, this article by The New Yorker will point you in the right direction.    

April - Spend more time outside

Remember those days as a kid when you would play outside from dusk till dawn? Instead of staying cooped up inside the house watching Netflix all day (which don’t get me wrong, sounds great sometimes), I’m going to grab my raincoat and take my pup for a nice long walk. I end up feeling so much more energized and clear-minded when I get a little extra Vitamin D. And bonus,  spending more time outside warrants you an excuse to buy a new rain jacket, Nordstrom perhaps?

May - Assume positive intent

Every obstacle is about perspective. You may not be able to change anything about the person or situation, but you are in complete control of how you perceive and handle it. Stress and negativity can take a toll on your health, and positivity is free! Don’t just take my word for it, Forbes put out an amazing article about it too.

June - Shop with a conscious mind

Supporting brands who are mindful of our environment, is so important to us as an agency. Whether it is a physical or a social impact, it’s important to understand the ethical values that a company holds. Brands at the top of our list are organicgirl, Imperfect Produce, Patagonia, Justin’s, REI, and Dr. Bonner’s.

July - Being present, physically and mentally

I’ve always been great about physically being present, I’m never late to anything. But when it comes to mentally being present, it’s sometimes a little difficult. It’s easy to get caught in your own thoughts about to-do lists or stress at work. Mindfulness is a great practice to be both physically and mentally present. Find our top tips on how to practice mindfulness in the day-to-day here.

August - Spend more time with family

My family moved from Washington to Arkansas recently, and it’s been difficult not having my mom nearby for all of my absurd questions like, “how do I schedule a dentist appointment?” On a serious note, it is hard not having direct family nearby, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to become lax about visiting and calling for life updates. Nurturing my relationships is one of the things I value most (which is why I love PR!).

September - Put myself first

In order to create the life you want, you sometimes have to make your needs and wants a priority. This means declining happy hour to stay in and get extra sleep when feeling over-worked. Or maybe it means taking an online course to learn a new skill that will put me ahead professionally. Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, remember that it's okay to be selfish with your time, especially when it means you are becoming the person you are meant to be. 

October - Be a tourist in my own city

I want to start exploring the city I call home ! I’ve lived in Seattle for six years, and there I still have things on my “must-see” list dating back to my first year here. It’s not for a lack of trying, but rather a lack of time. I have been a college student for the last four years, so any free time was spent catching up on sleep. I’m ready to strap on my fanny pack and become a Seattle tourist. My list starts here.

November - Manifest confidence

I carefully selected the word manifest for a reason. Manifest means to actively demonstrate or appear a certain quality or feeling. In this case, I want to demonstrate confidence in everything I do. I want to deepen the meaning of being confident into truly trusting myself and believing I am capable of anything I set my mind to. The first step of this intention is reading You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.

December - Meal prep my lunches

I have been a fan of meal prepping for a while now. I always applaud people who meal prep every Sunday and don’t have to think twice about lunches for the week. It’s not only a healthier alternative, but a cheaper one too. Not to mention the adorable meal prep pads from POPFLEX.

I hope my list of 12 intentions helped inspire your intentions for this year. It doesn’t matter what they are as long as they are progressively moving you forward.

What are some of your 2019 intentions? Share with us on Instagram and Facebook.