Living with Intention by Design in the New Year-According to LiLu Interiors
According to LiLu: Living with Intention by Design in the New Year
While New Year’s resolution are a common theme at this time of year, when I searched New Year’s resolutions on google this year to write this post, I found some lists of up to 55 resolutions! Imagine trying to keep 55 resolutions starting on January 1st. To me, this sounds like a set up for complete failure. Some lists suggest 10 resolutions which might be a bit more manageable. I, however, have decided to set only one New Year’s resolution, to live with intention by design.
To be honest, I have been on an intentional living kick for about a decade but this past year has been a crash course on why intentional living is so beneficial. The nice thing about setting a resolution to live more intentionally is you can fit many things under this umbrella, and it can morph and change daily. Seriously, you can set a new intention each day which gives you flexibility. And this year I've needed flexibility. Some days my intention has been getting through the day and be kind to myself and others. Some days it has been to learn a new skill. Some days to reimagine my work from home space to maintain my sanity. But writing down my intention and then executing on it has been a lifesaver in 2020.
One thing that is always true that by using intention + design you can have a great impact on living the life you envision.
Succeed at Living with Intention by Design: Create Habits
One thing I highly recommend if you are setting new intentions is to decide if an intention should be a daily habit. Some intentions can be weekly or quarterly. Learn a new creative skill at a class I am making a quarterly goal. Keeping a five-item gratitude list is a daily intention.
If you want to make an intention into a daily habit. I highly recommend reading Gretchen Rubin’s Better Than Before which is a great guide to the mysteries of creating successful habits.
Not sure how or when to start a new habit? Read Daniel Pink’s When for great tips on seeing the opportunity for a fresh start.
Wellness
I have the intention to focus on wellness for myself and my family. This year I had to double down on my wellness habits, to stay sane and keep myself at optimal creativity. Wellness is a big subject that has many facets. I include eating fresh home-cooked meals, regular exercise, self-care under this intention. Since our blog is focused on Bringing Intention Home and designing spaces that support your intentions for your life, I have written entire posts on how your home can support healthy eating habits, and self-care and why wellness at home matters even more than ever.
Please check out Why Wellness at Home Matters
Bathroom Design : Wellness in Mind
and Kitchen Design: Wellness in Mind
While, I have doubled down on most of these goals. Exercising at the gym or studio has been difficult this year. But YouTube, Zoom instruction, and having a space to exercise at home has been key to keeping up my wellness habits.
Incorporating exercise space into your home is definitely a winning strategy for turning the intention to exercise into a reality. It can be anything from an entire exercise room to a carefully planned spot in an office, guest room, or living room.
Reading
Another intention I have going forward is to read more for pleasure. I read a lot, don’t get me wrong but I have tended over the last year to read more about business, interior design and social media and let reading for pleasure simply fall away from my life (unintentionally). Over break I read a novel just for the joy of it and I have to say, I want to do more of this! So, I am setting an intention to read a novel a month.
Living with intention isn’t easy! Having a cozy spot to read will make this easy! I have one all set up since I am an avid reader but here are the essentials for a great reading set up.
Elevate Your Everyday Experiences
This year has been a good one for focusing on your everyday experiences. We have improved our outdoor living space so we could hang out at home and enjoy dining al fresco or a nice evening at a fire pit. We also finished our basement so I have craft/creative space and a little more space to be alone at home.
I've also been more intentional
I started the year by improving my bed because it’s a twofer. I will have a better sleeping experience AND that will also support my wellness goals.
I bought a new organic mattress topper, replace my comforter and pillows. Fresh bedding with organic cotton and comfy textures improved my sleeping experience. Want to know more about how to improve your bedroom to get a better night’s sleep? Read Sleeping your way to Wellness.
Bringing Intention Home
At LiLu Interiors, we love designing spaces that support our client’s lifestyles. It is our intention to find out your intentions. Would you like to create a home that is a reflection of your style, interest and values in life? Surround yourself with color that speaks to your soul? Whatever your intention is, we want to know. We are in the business of designing interiors and creating spaces for you to live out your dreams. Whatever your dream is, we will creatively collaborate with you to design a home that uniquely expresses who you are and how you live. Give us a call, let’s bring your intentions home. 612-354-3271
2 January, 2021 at 8:13 am
Good morning, Lisa ~ Happy 2021! I loved reading this post about your how you have lived more intentionally this past year and I’m happy to see you are reading again, just for pleasure.
For me, that’s been a wellness habit I’ve cultivated all my life, but it came in especially handy this year, as I’ve read more than ever. But, believe it or not, what I don’t have is a comfy chair, and appropriate reading light and that’s what I intend to create for myself, this year.
Thanks for the inspiration!
2 January, 2021 at 8:45 am
Such great tips on living with intention, Lisa! I love the flexibility of that resolution, and the positive impact it brings!
2 January, 2021 at 8:57 am
I love love love this post! Self care is huge for me this year and how inspiring how you have outlined how to implement the ideals of self care and living life with intent into our homes! Thank you so much for inspiring us!
2 January, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Thanks for sharing that yes, we do need to live with intention . Now for me to put the words into action!
2 January, 2021 at 7:03 pm
Love this! I have always thought…so much of great opportunities are luck! But as I’ve grown older, I realize our opportunities come from intentional living. Someone said (can’t remember where I heard it), you have to prepare to get lucky!
3 January, 2021 at 12:24 am
Loved this post and agree on the importance of self care and setting daily intentions. Both have been so important to me over the last year. I love your reading area!!!