being intentional
I've shared before in my favorite podcasts post a few months ago about how much I love Jeremy and Audrey Roloff. One of the things they do that I really love is choose a word and focus on it every year. For example, I believe their word this year was "rhythm," so throughout the year they focused on making rhythms in their day-to-day lives so that they can slow down and take their focus from their busy work schedule to other things; most importantly to Jesus. I kept thinking about that idea this year as they kept mentioning it in their podcast episodes, and it just kept seeming like such a great idea. So I started thinking and praying about a word that I felt like I needed to work harder on in my life, and a word that God continued to put on my heart was "intentional." Throughout that time I kept watching different videos and listening to different podcasts and the people would always seem to talk about being intentional with everything they do in their lives, and I knew that that was what my "focus word" of 2020 should be.
During this year, I really want to focus on being intentional and not just walking through life and just letting things happen. I want to look back and know that everything I did was done for a purpose, was well thought out, and cherished in the moment. There are a ton of different ways I want to work on being intentional, and I wanted to share a few of them on here with you guys today.
+ what i buy
This is a giant one because I tend to buy a lot of things, and a lot of the time it's stuff that I really have no need for. I'm currently in the process of going through my room and cleaning and decluttering and I have so many clothes, pieces of jewelry, lotions, and nail polishes that I haven't even worn or thought about in years, but yet I keep buying new stuff. I love clothes, so I tend to buy things just because it's cute and I feel like I have to have it, even though I have ten other sweaters that will do the job just fine. My favorite person to watch on YouTube (Sarah Therese... if you haven't watched her videos you should because you will get hooked just like I did) is a minimalist, and said in one of her videos that shopping shouldn't be a hobby, it should be done only when you need something. That was really convicting for me because shopping has always been a hobby for me, and something that I probably did way too often.
I also have like at least three candles and lotions that are half used, and they're all basically the same scent. There is literally no need to have multiples of the same things, so I really want to start focusing on not buying a new candle or lotion (or other similar things) until I used my previous one up and need a new one. The same thing goes with books. I think I have about fifteen books that I need to read right now, and I keep wanting to buy more. I need to just focus on reading the books that I already have that need to be read before buying a new one because then I'll end up not reading most of them because I'll either forget about them or just won't have time to catch up on my giant reading pile.
Instead of wasting money on things I don't truly need or will only like for a couple months, I want to start saving it for experiences that will create memories that will last forever, or for things that I really will need eventually.
So, basically, my goal for this year is to really think about what I'm buying, why I'm buying it, and if I truly need it or not.
+ my time
Sometimes I sit and literally just do nothing, or get on my phone and mindlessly scroll through instagram just because I'm bored even though I just got on it half an hour ago. Instead of wasting my time doing stuff that really has no benefit to me whatsoever, I want to use my time wisely and intentionally. This could be by reading a book, talking to or just spending time with family or friends, or something else that needs to be done or that I want to do that isn't mindless.
This especially goes with my time with other people. Now that I'm away from home for the majority of the week at school, I don't see my family and friends as much, so I don't want the time I do have with them on the weekends to be wasted away with mindless, trivial tasks.
+ what i eat
The sole purpose of food is to fuel your body. We eat because our body needs certain nutrients to function correctly and survive, not because it's enjoyable and tastes good. I want to start paying attention to what's in the things I eat and what nutrients I'm getting so I can make sure I'm getting what I need to function properly and live a healthy life. I'm not going to never eat anything I want to ever again, or not eat anything just because it tastes good, but I want to be more mindful about fueling my body properly, instead of just solely eating a cheeseburger because it'll taste good.
+ what i read
If you've been reading my blog for a while you will probably know that I love to read and do it a lot. This year I want to read a lot of books that teach me important things and grow my relationship with Christ. I read a lot of those types of books already, but I usually just pick a random one that I've heard is really good and very insightful. This year I want to focus on reading about certain topics that I need to work on in my life and in my relationship with Christ, specifically becoming a better Christian woman. I recently read a really good book about how women can use their single years wisely to strengthen their relationship with God, and get certain parts of their life in check (like finances, job, other relationships, etc.) before they get married. The author said that all of the things she included in the book were things she either wished she had known or had focused on more before she got married. Even though I am no where close to getting married, I still want to work more on those parts of my life because it will not only prepare me for the marriage I hope to have someday, but everything was really important for godly women to focus on in every season of life.
+ my time with God
I really want to focus on my time with God this year. Sometimes when I'm busy during school, I tend to think of this time as just another thing I need to do that day, but I want it to be something that I want to do and yearn for everyday. I want to be intentional during that time and really focus on what I'm reading or praying about so I can learn and grow as a person and in my relationship with God. He is way more important than the school work I have or the Friends episode I want to watch for the fourth time to relax. It's a common excuse to say that you don't have time for it, but we always have the time. We just choose to use that time in the way our flesh wants to use it, not in the way our hearts need us to use it. Like I said in one of my earlier points, sometimes I just waste time by watching a show or scrolling on instagram mindlessly. I'm sure if I added the amount of time I "waste" during the day doing these things, I would have more than enough time to read the Bible and pray intentionally instead of just rushing through it so I can cross it off my list.
+ social media
Social media can be really stressful. It's full of devastating and evil news stories, comparisons, gossip, and so many more things that just don't bring anybody happiness. I want to focus this year on unfollowing accounts that add to the stress and only follow accounts that are uplifting and make me smile. I also want to be more intentional about what I post on my accounts. I want them to bring people joy, peace, and inspiration, not just another account they follow that posts meaningless things.
+ sustainability
I'm not going to become the person who never drinks from a straw, or never uses plastic, but I do want to be more mindful about what I use and how those things affect the environment. One thing I did last semester was start using a Brita for my water instead of buying bottles of water. Not only did that save money because I drink a lot of water and would go through like one case a week, but it also decreased the amount of plastic waste I had. Even though I recycled them, you just never really know where it ends up. I also want to get some reusable grocery bags that I can use instead of getting a ton of the plastic ones every time I go to the store. I just want to add little things like that that are practical, but can really help. We are called to take care of this earth that God has given us, and I really do think we could do a better job at it.
"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." -Howard Zinn
I hope that you enjoyed this post, and if anything, you got inspired to start focusing on something this year that you've also been wanting to do for a while. Thanks for reading!
During this year, I really want to focus on being intentional and not just walking through life and just letting things happen. I want to look back and know that everything I did was done for a purpose, was well thought out, and cherished in the moment. There are a ton of different ways I want to work on being intentional, and I wanted to share a few of them on here with you guys today.
+ what i buy
This is a giant one because I tend to buy a lot of things, and a lot of the time it's stuff that I really have no need for. I'm currently in the process of going through my room and cleaning and decluttering and I have so many clothes, pieces of jewelry, lotions, and nail polishes that I haven't even worn or thought about in years, but yet I keep buying new stuff. I love clothes, so I tend to buy things just because it's cute and I feel like I have to have it, even though I have ten other sweaters that will do the job just fine. My favorite person to watch on YouTube (Sarah Therese... if you haven't watched her videos you should because you will get hooked just like I did) is a minimalist, and said in one of her videos that shopping shouldn't be a hobby, it should be done only when you need something. That was really convicting for me because shopping has always been a hobby for me, and something that I probably did way too often.
I also have like at least three candles and lotions that are half used, and they're all basically the same scent. There is literally no need to have multiples of the same things, so I really want to start focusing on not buying a new candle or lotion (or other similar things) until I used my previous one up and need a new one. The same thing goes with books. I think I have about fifteen books that I need to read right now, and I keep wanting to buy more. I need to just focus on reading the books that I already have that need to be read before buying a new one because then I'll end up not reading most of them because I'll either forget about them or just won't have time to catch up on my giant reading pile.
Instead of wasting money on things I don't truly need or will only like for a couple months, I want to start saving it for experiences that will create memories that will last forever, or for things that I really will need eventually.
So, basically, my goal for this year is to really think about what I'm buying, why I'm buying it, and if I truly need it or not.
+ my time
Sometimes I sit and literally just do nothing, or get on my phone and mindlessly scroll through instagram just because I'm bored even though I just got on it half an hour ago. Instead of wasting my time doing stuff that really has no benefit to me whatsoever, I want to use my time wisely and intentionally. This could be by reading a book, talking to or just spending time with family or friends, or something else that needs to be done or that I want to do that isn't mindless.
This especially goes with my time with other people. Now that I'm away from home for the majority of the week at school, I don't see my family and friends as much, so I don't want the time I do have with them on the weekends to be wasted away with mindless, trivial tasks.
+ what i eat
The sole purpose of food is to fuel your body. We eat because our body needs certain nutrients to function correctly and survive, not because it's enjoyable and tastes good. I want to start paying attention to what's in the things I eat and what nutrients I'm getting so I can make sure I'm getting what I need to function properly and live a healthy life. I'm not going to never eat anything I want to ever again, or not eat anything just because it tastes good, but I want to be more mindful about fueling my body properly, instead of just solely eating a cheeseburger because it'll taste good.
+ what i read
If you've been reading my blog for a while you will probably know that I love to read and do it a lot. This year I want to read a lot of books that teach me important things and grow my relationship with Christ. I read a lot of those types of books already, but I usually just pick a random one that I've heard is really good and very insightful. This year I want to focus on reading about certain topics that I need to work on in my life and in my relationship with Christ, specifically becoming a better Christian woman. I recently read a really good book about how women can use their single years wisely to strengthen their relationship with God, and get certain parts of their life in check (like finances, job, other relationships, etc.) before they get married. The author said that all of the things she included in the book were things she either wished she had known or had focused on more before she got married. Even though I am no where close to getting married, I still want to work more on those parts of my life because it will not only prepare me for the marriage I hope to have someday, but everything was really important for godly women to focus on in every season of life.
+ my time with God
I really want to focus on my time with God this year. Sometimes when I'm busy during school, I tend to think of this time as just another thing I need to do that day, but I want it to be something that I want to do and yearn for everyday. I want to be intentional during that time and really focus on what I'm reading or praying about so I can learn and grow as a person and in my relationship with God. He is way more important than the school work I have or the Friends episode I want to watch for the fourth time to relax. It's a common excuse to say that you don't have time for it, but we always have the time. We just choose to use that time in the way our flesh wants to use it, not in the way our hearts need us to use it. Like I said in one of my earlier points, sometimes I just waste time by watching a show or scrolling on instagram mindlessly. I'm sure if I added the amount of time I "waste" during the day doing these things, I would have more than enough time to read the Bible and pray intentionally instead of just rushing through it so I can cross it off my list.
+ social media
Social media can be really stressful. It's full of devastating and evil news stories, comparisons, gossip, and so many more things that just don't bring anybody happiness. I want to focus this year on unfollowing accounts that add to the stress and only follow accounts that are uplifting and make me smile. I also want to be more intentional about what I post on my accounts. I want them to bring people joy, peace, and inspiration, not just another account they follow that posts meaningless things.
+ sustainability
I'm not going to become the person who never drinks from a straw, or never uses plastic, but I do want to be more mindful about what I use and how those things affect the environment. One thing I did last semester was start using a Brita for my water instead of buying bottles of water. Not only did that save money because I drink a lot of water and would go through like one case a week, but it also decreased the amount of plastic waste I had. Even though I recycled them, you just never really know where it ends up. I also want to get some reusable grocery bags that I can use instead of getting a ton of the plastic ones every time I go to the store. I just want to add little things like that that are practical, but can really help. We are called to take care of this earth that God has given us, and I really do think we could do a better job at it.
"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." -Howard Zinn
I hope that you enjoyed this post, and if anything, you got inspired to start focusing on something this year that you've also been wanting to do for a while. Thanks for reading!
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