As another difficult year in history comes to a close, many of you are looking to 2022 with hope, optimism, and great intention.
For one, I found myself struggling to get through Christmas, and wondering how I would even set intentions for the new year to come. And here it is, already upon us with no seeming end in sight to the new pandemic world order.
That said, you may find it difficult to get your bearings in the way you have in the past as a new year begins.
How to Set a New Year’s Intention Worth Keeping
It’s December 2017. I was on the 4-day trek — the Inca trail — to Machu Picchu. It was Day 2, one of the most difficult days of the trek. We started early that morning and climbed more than 3,000 feet to the top of “Dead Woman’s Pass” at nearly 13,900 feet. When we were on the last stretch of that day, legs aching and minds exhausted, the trail came to a point where the only way to continue was to walk through a narrow path inside giant boulders. With a drop-off on one side, and the only way forward through this slim footway I had to duck to get through. This moment out of all accentuated the arduous hike that guided travelers to the magical city in the clouds.
When my turn came up, I stopped right in front of the entrance, closed my eyes, took three deep breaths, cleared my mind, and then allowed whatever word felt most significant to me — the word that most would define what I wanted to manifest in my life moving forward — gently float into my conscious mind without overthinking it.
This was such a powerful experience that I’ve done the same thing every year since. Choosing theme words for 2019, 2020, 2021, and now 2022 has had a huge impact on my life. And that’s my wish for you this New Year, too!!! Let me show you how to do it (without having to climb to nearly 13,900 feet above sea level, of course, haha!).
How to Choose a Theme Word for 2022
Why? Because unlike an extra trip to the gym or eating more leafy greens, a single word invokes a feeling — and that’s the best type of intention in the world, because instead of being an item to check off the list that you either get done or don’t get done, it focuses on how you want to feel and who you want to be as you move through your year.
“Your theme word is like your North Star; it’s not the destination, but it’s constantly there pointing you in the right direction, especially if you’re feeling a little lost or off track.”
- Independence
- Love
- Freedom
- Lightness
- Adventure
- Security
- Health
- Transformation
- Joy
- Playfulness
- Connection
- Honesty
The 4 C’s for Creating Powerful Intentions
The 4 C’s will help you get clear on what you want to cultivate in 2022, including choosing your word and taking the right steps to make your intentions come true.
Don’t worry, I’ve actually created a worksheet for you to use to help you complete this task.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is the first “C” because before you can make your New Year’s intention come true, you need to get rid of anything that is holding you back from your dreams. And the truth is, most people don’t really know!
To accomplish this, you need to spend some time and energy clearing out the noise of 2021 so that you can look forward to the year ahead. There are a lot of ways to cleanse, but I recommend starting with decluttering your space. As 2021 is now out the door, throw out things you don’t need anymore — old clothes, clutter and items you never use — and make more space for the new YOU that will emerge in 2022. You can also write down things you want to let go of from 2021.
You’ll be surprised how rummaging through your stuff can help you reflect on what’s missing in your life and what you want to focus on in this new year. Most likely, a word or two will come to mind during this step in the process. Write them down. I like to create a word cloud first to help me find the right theme word for each year. Now you’re ready to move onto step 2.
2. Clarify
If you’re still struggling to find your theme word for 2022, it’s time to get clear. This is where you really explore the “why” behind what you want.
Ask yourself:
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Is what you want to nurture in your life a personal or professional goal?
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Are there specific examples you can think of where you wish you had cultivated more of that ONE THING in your life?
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What does a world with more of your ONE THING look like?
This is a great opportunity to create a vision board by taking magazines and cutting out photos that bring up an emotional connection to what you want to manifest. You can also cut out and place on your vision board related words that help you hone in on your ONE WORD for 2022.
If you’re not feeling crafty, you can also write these down, use a digital vision board, or team up with a friend or partner and tell each other out loud what it is you want more of in your life in 2022 and your reasons for choosing it.
As you become clear on what you really want to manifest, look for the theme word that defines the essence of what it is you’re looking for. Once you’ve become clear on what your word is, it’s time for Step 3.
3. Commit
For this step, write down your word and put it on your fridge. Then, take concrete steps to make your intention a reality. For example, if your word is “security,” set up automatic transfers to your savings account, sign up for that self-defense class, or schedule introductory appointments with different therapists.
If your word is “love,” spend the evening setting up your dating profile, set aside time daily for self-care, or sign up to finally adopt that dog you’ve always wanted.
Whatever the practical expression of your word is, take the first steps towards it now. Make it a habit of reflecting on your word on a daily basis as a way to bring it into reality and reinforce its presence in your life throughout 2022.
4. Celebrate
For example, if your word is “courage” and you go on a first date, say hello to a stranger on the bus, or switch careers, take some time to pat yourself on the back. It doesn’t matter how small your win is, take a second or two to acknowledge that you are starting to embody your theme word.
Every now and then, look at the word on your fridge and draw connections between things you’ve done and that word. Then, celebrate yourself some more! The most important time to do this is not when you’re feeling great about yourself, but actually when you’re having a down day, feeling overwhelmed, or feeling you are not where you want to be in life. In those moments, look back, acknowledge, and give yourself a pat on the back.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was not easy. High altitude, physical exhaustion, body aches and pains, uncomfortably soaking wet in a torrential downpour… all of these could have been excuses for turning back. Sure, it may not be the most difficult trek on the planet, but it certainly taught me a lot about intention. No matter what obstacles come in the way, the way towards your intention is to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Setting a theme word for the year, and then following the “4 Cs” is my secret to New Year’s resolutions that really last.
If your theme word has anything to do with HEALTH, I have great news. The 4 Cs work for any type of New Year’s goal, especially health goals. And here at Happy Gut Life we want to support those who really want to experience a transformation in their health and wellness worthy of a trek, but that you can still do from your own home in less than a month.
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