The New Normal: Setting Intentions
At the beginning of January, many people made their annual resolutions, and by mid-January had already abandoned them. There’s another approach that seems more attainable: setting intentions. To set an intention means to act with purpose, and it can become a life changing practice.
Becoming intentional starts with being more aware of our thoughts and behaviors and then to align those with the changes we want to affect in our lives. Resolving to be on time if you’re habitually late isn’t enough. More than just a goal, setting the intention to be on time means creating a new habit, which we all know is not easy.
Science tells us that it takes at least 9.4 weeks to change a habit and make it automatic. So setting ourselves up for success is part of the shift. Over the years, our clients have confided their dreams and goals beyond interior design. I encourage them to make whatever changes will serve them best.
As I’ve yearned to change some habits of my own – personal and professional ones – I researched the best way to modify my behavior that would not evaporate by mid-January. In order to carve out time for self-care, there is one day each month reserved for any appointments that contribute to my overall well-being. While that might not seem complicated, scheduling anything while running a thriving business can be challenging. But once the decision was made to hold fast to that intention, everything has fallen into place.
The more I practice this monthly day of self-care, the easier it has become to set intentions and follow through. My personal health and professional growth has been stronger for it.
HOW IT APPLIES TO OUR HOMES
You may be wondering what any of this has to do with our homes and the work we do as interior designers. It’s simple: our environments reflect who we are and how we feel. We like to help our clients match their inner selves with the thoughtful surroundings that nurture and sustain them. Our interior design practice is dedicated to creating spaces that are beautiful, comfortable and promote wellness.
More than that, the process of designing for our clients and executing this creative work feeds us in a way that is vital to who we are as people. We put our hearts and souls into every project and give of ourselves in a way that is not easily put into words. We know we’ve done a good job when our clients feel the change in themselves once they begin living in their transformed spaces: they feel the difference.
Our team applies setting intentions for each project and every phase until completion. Our intentions work hand-in-hand with our visual goals; they are the guiding principles that help us to do our best work, to listen with an open mind, and to give of ourselves in ways that are obvious and invisible.
I love this quote by Mary Oliver: “What will you do with this one wild and precious life?” Set your intentions for it, and watch it all unfold.
