Preparing for the New Year: Setting Intentions, Not Resolutions, While Battling Cancer

The approaching new year comes with a societal push to declare your resolutions. For those battling cancer or supporting a loved one through it, setting lofty goals feels overwhelming. 

Try a different approach: set intentions, not resolutions.

Intentions focus on mindfulness, self-compassion, and growth, allowing space for flexibility and adjustment. They are a gentler, more empowering way to move into the New Year, especially when health and emotional resilience take precedence. 

Why Intentions Over Resolutions?

Resolutions are often rigid and achievement-oriented. They focus on measurable outcomes—losing weight, saving money, or checking items off a to-do list. While goal-setting can be helpful, resolutions may unintentionally add stress, especially when life circumstances—like navigating cancer—make sticking to them challenging.

Intentions, on the other hand, emphasize values, priorities, and ongoing growth. They are rooted in mindfulness and self-awareness, offering the flexibility to adapt to life's challenges without the guilt or shame that can come from unmet resolutions. When you’re battling cancer, this shift in mindset can provide a sense of empowerment and focus on what truly matters.

Setting Intentions for the Year Ahead

If you or a loved one are facing a cancer journey, here are some meaningful ways to set intentions for the New Year:

1. Focus on Self-Compassion

Cancer often brings feelings of vulnerability, frustration, and grief. Setting an intention to treat yourself with kindness can help combat negative self-talk and foster resilience. This might look like:

• Practicing daily affirmations, such as "I am doing my best today."

• Allowing yourself to rest without guilt on difficult days.

• Seeking support when you need it, whether from friends, family, or mental health resources like Flatwater Foundation.

2. Prioritize Emotional and Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health. An intention to focus on emotional well-being could include:

• Scheduling regular sessions with a therapist who understands the complexities of a cancer journey. Flatwater connects individuals and families with therapists to help clear their mind, heal their body, and find the strength to take on a diagnosis. 

• Journaling your feelings as a way to process emotions.

• Meditating for a few minutes each day to cultivate mindfulness and presence.

3. Strengthen Connections

Building and maintaining supportive relationships can make all the difference in your cancer journey. Set an intention to nurture these connections by:

• Reaching out to loved ones for a chat, even if it's just for a few minutes.

• Joining a support group to share experiences and find solidarity.

• Offering gratitude to those who’ve supported you—expressing thanks can boost both your mood and theirs.

4. Listen to Your Body

Your body is your healing partner. Intentionally support it by:

• Eating nourishing foods that provide energy and comfort.

• Engaging in gentle movement, such as stretching or walking, when you feel up to it.

• Resting without pushing yourself to meet external expectations.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

Battling cancer is a journey filled with challenges, but it’s also important to acknowledge and celebrate victories along the way. An intention to celebrate small wins might include:

• Writing down one positive thing that happened each day.

• Treating yourself to something you enjoy after completing treatments or milestones.

• Sharing moments of progress with friends and family.

Moving Forward with Hope and Purpose

The New Year doesn’t have to be a time of rigid goals or overwhelming expectations. By setting intentions, you can create space for growth, resilience, and self-compassion—tools that are especially valuable when navigating the challenges of cancer.