hi there! I hope you’ve been well.

It’s now February 1st, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how life often feels like it’s flying by. Usually, I’d say, “Where did the month go?” but this year feels different. I’ve slowed down, reflected, and approached the start of the year intentionally– in a way I hope to carry for the rest of my life.

There’s so much noise in the world– social media, constant productivity, and all the things telling us who we should be or what we should do. It’s so easy to fall into autopilot, letting the days blur into each other. But for me, intentional living is about stepping out of that cycle, tuning out the noise, and coming back to what matters most.

I get it though, sometimes it’s harder for those who don't have the luxury to pause. But I’m here to say that’s the beauty of intention– it is uniquely yours, and you can start in the smallest ways.

what does it mean to live intentionally?

Intentionality has become a bit of a buzzword, hasn’t it? But to me, it’s so much more than a trend. It’s about slowing down, reflecting, and choosing how we live instead of letting life happen to us.

This past January, I’ve leaned into three key practices that help me live with intention:

Slowing Down: Taking things easy instead of rushing or burning myself out, especially in starting my business and decluttering our house.
Reflecting and Planning: Looking back at what worked and didn’t work in 2024 and mapping out my year based on my values.
Simplifying: Letting go of what doesn’t serve me– whether that’s physical clutter, activities that drain me, or unnecessary consumption.

Each of these practices has been a way to tune into myself and make space for the life I want to live.

What would it mean for you to slow down and live more intentionally? Is there one area of your life–your mindset, your space, your habits–that feels out of alignment?

#1 slowing down to create space

For years, I felt like I was constantly rushing–trying to do everything, please everyone, and keep up with the noise around me. But this year, I’ve decided to slow down and take things one step at a time.

Slowing down doesn’t mean doing nothing. For me, it’s about giving myself the liberty to do what feels good in the moment— without guilt or the pressure to always be productive, especially in this year-long break of mine. It’s letting go of rigid expectations and embracing flexibility, whether that means reading for fun, taking a nap, or simply spending an afternoon doing nothing at all.

More importantly, slowing down has meant being okay with imperfection, not rushing everything. It’s about trusting that life doesn’t need to be micromanaged to work out.

By slowing down, I’ve found more clarity, calm, and presence in my day-to-day life. There is space to follow my intuition and let answers unfold–something I’m honestly still learning to lean into, but it’s been so freeing.

What’s one way you can give yourself permission to slow down this year? Could it be taking a break, saying no to something, or choosing flexibility over a rigid plan?

#2 reflecting and planning with intention

Reflection and planning have been the foundation of my intentional start to the year. It’s been a practice for quite some time now, too. Although instead of rushing into resolutions on January 1, I took the whole month to reflect on 2024.

Taking time to reflect is more than just looking back—it’s about truly getting to know yourself. What matters most to you? What lights you up? What do you want to leave behind? Reflection is where clarity begins. It’s the moment you pause and ask, “What kind of life do I want to create?”

From there I started planning in a way that felt purposeful but flexible, letting my priorities take center stage while still leaving space for spontaneity. My journal is my safe space to dream and process, while my planner helps me map out manageable steps to move forward. These tools have helped me set intentions that are deeply aligned with my goals and values.

If you’re looking to do the same, I’ve created a free downloadable Living With Intention Worksheet at the bottom of this post guide you through reflecting on last year, slowing down, simplifying, and planning your next steps– all in alignment with your values.

What lessons did 2024 teach you? How can you use those lessons to guide your next steps?

#3 simplifying to make space for what matters

Another big focus for me this year has been simplifying. I realized that when life feels overwhelming, it’s often because there’s too much– too much clutter, too many commitments, or too much consumption.

Here’s how I’ve been simplifying this year:

Clearing My Space: I’m letting go of physical clutter to create a calmer, more inspiring environment. It’s a slow process–one that will take a couple of months—so I’m doing it in phases and being patient with the process. It doesn’t have to be finished overnight. I’m taking it step by step: a few minutes a day or a dedicated time every Sunday.
Simplifying My Activities: I’ve been saying no to things that don’t align with my values or drain my energy. My calendar is no longer packed with every hang out, new restaurant or activity; I don’t feel the need to check off every task in a day. Instead, I’m embracing space for rest, spontaneity, and what fills my cup. I’m also letting go of the expectation that I need to do everything for self-care, wellness, productivity and the like. Instead of trying to fit it all in, I’m choosing what brings me the most joy in that day or moment. And that’s enough.
Rethinking Consumption: I’m being more intentional about what I consume or bring into my life, whether it’s shopping, content, or how I spend my time. Having a limited budget has made me extra mindful of my spending–and surprisingly, I’ve come to appreciate it. It helped me see what truly matters in life, and those are not material things. I’ve also come to the realization that I don’t have to know everything that is trending.

Is there an area of your life–your space, schedule, or habits– that feel cluttered or overwhelming? What’s one small way you could simplify it today?

closing thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for being a part of my journey and I hope to have inspired you to begin yours!

As I step into 2025, I feel ready to live intentionally– not perfectly, but purposefully. Slowing down, reflecting, and simplifying have laid a strong foundation for the year ahead.

If you’re looking to live more intentionally, start small. Maybe it’s clearing your space, journaling, or simply pausing to ask yourself, “What matters most to me right now?”

Living simply and intentionally doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about creating space for what matters and letting go of what doesn’t.

I’d love to know– what’s one small step you can take today to live more intentionally?

living with intention in 2025: my leap year