EMBRACING INTENTION

Embracing Intention: A Journey to Finishing What I Start

I've recently begun to embrace the power of intention, for even the smallest projects, and it has been transformative. Let me explain why this shift is so crucial for me and how it can resonate with you too.

For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with finishing things. Whether it's setting new goals, starting projects, or beginning new habits, I almost always abandon them or lose inspiration. From half-finished paintings to incomplete house projects, my life is littered with evidence of my inability to see things through.

As I move through my house, I'm constantly reminded of these small failures, both consciously and unconsciously. It's not that I feel like a failure in everything, but I definitely struggle with confidence and self-love. I also worry about the health of my brain when I can't stay focused enough to finish a project. The evidence of these unfinished projects reinforce deep insecurities I have and affect my self image. It has become difficult for me to believe in myself and chase my biggest dreams and goals.

The reasons behind this pattern are varied. Sometimes, it's the cost of doing things right. Other times, it's the anxiety and overwhelm that comes with making decisions. There’s also the obvious fear of botching something. I love dreaming up ideas—the design, the feel, the long afternoons spent listening to a podcast and working on a satisfying project. But the moment something doesn't go according to plan, or I run out of steam, my chances of completing the project plummet.

I know I'm not alone in this. Our shortening attention spans and unrealistic expectations, fueled by social media, play a significant role. Studies show we have a significant decrease in ability to stay focused and on task compared to previous generations. We are bombarded with short-form content that portrays projects as simple, fast, and fun. When reality sets in and a project becomes a slog, it's easy to give up.

So here is where I have begun embracing intention.

I've decided to be more intentional with all my actions. By setting a clear "why" before starting a project, I find it easier to push through obstacles. Sometimes my “why” is simply to add more beauty to life. Here are some examples:

1.     Closet Redesign: I've wanted to redesign our closets since moving in. The classic wire metal shelves, that everybody hates, just never look clean or organized. Whenever I put away laundry I just get frustrated by the poorly designed and ugly closet. I’ve read that to make a task more appealing you need to make it beautiful. My mission is to make my closet beautiful and satisfying to look at. By setting the intention to create a beautiful and organized closet, I've found the motivation to tackle the project despite setbacks. When the closet systems I ordered were too tall for our space, I returned to my “why” and imagined the satisfaction of organizing my things and how calm my mind will feel when my bedroom is not littered with clean clothes. From there I busted out the saw and made things work.

2.     Morning Habits: I am currently working towards a career that allows me to build my work schedule around when I feel most productive. I naturally wake up early, around 5 am, and that is when my brain is most productive. My current career does not have that schedule but I want to build that habit now, so that when I make the switch I have a set routine and it feels natural. By setting the intention to start my day with activities that stimulate my mind—writing, journaling, reading, or working on art projects—I'm preparing for a future job that supports this habit.

3.     Painting a Shed Mural: This is a fun activity I’ve had in mind for awhile but never seem to get around to it. The intention I have for this is that I want to continue to add art and beauty to all parts of my house. I grew up in an artist community and crave the buildings I grew up in, where art is everywhere you look. I want my house to represent where I came from and inspire myself and others. So not only will this be a relaxing activity for me, but the ultimate intention is to feed long-term inspiration and make myself feel more at home. Especially when it comes to art projects, I think it is important to remind yourself of the ultimate outcome. The action of creating art is good for our brain and our souls, but actually finishing a piece of art creates long term satisfaction, as it is a constant visual reminder of your accomplishment.

The Domino Effect of Intention:

My hope is that setting intentions behind even the smallest habits will lead to positive changes in larger aspects of my life. At the most basic level, things like creating an organized closet will save me time and reduce chaos, allowing me to focus more on self-care activities that feed my soul—like long runs, hikes, swimming, biking, and surfing.

On a psychological level, setting intentions helps you stay committed and see things through to the end. Seeing things through to the end is crucial for building confidence, creating resilience, and becoming more reliable. With each intention I set and project I accomplish, my hope is that I will continue to become more assured, resourceful, and adaptable. The idea is that these skills will help cultivate more self-love and eventually lead to bigger and grander dreams.

Beyond, I hope to implement more encompassing intentions to the bigger decisions in life. From vacations to careers and everything in between, I want to have a “why” and a greater goal in mind.

Conclusion: Embracing intention has been a game-changer for me. By setting a clear purpose behind my actions, I've found new motivation to complete projects and develop habits that enhance my life. I encourage you to try this approach and see how it transforms your ability to finish what you start.