{ Intentional and Purposeful Living }

 

 

I am turning 52 this year.  It feels strange to say that, but I am blessed and thankful to be here and to be able to post that.  I think knowing that every day we are given is a gift, helps us settle into the thought that our lives are ever changing, and the years keep on coming.

 

As we begin this new year of 2026, and also knowing just how fast the past few years have flown by, I have decided to go into this year with intentional and purposeful living.  To set aside all notions of goals and must do's and rather just live each day with as much joy and purpose as I can.  I want to be intentional about everything that I do, watch, read or create.

 

 

 

Over the past few years I have realized and understood, that I don't like going with the flow.  I don't like being like everyone else or fitting in.  I don't like doing, eating, working, making, or thinking like everyone else, matter of fact if the whole world likes something I tend to dislike it.  I don't know why, I don't know what to tell you other than it's the way I am wired but more so as the years go by and as I get older.

 

I often think back about my great grandmother Ema and the woman she was.  She liked what she liked, she did what she wanted and she never felt pushed or pressured to be something or someone she wasn't.  And yet, she lived a long 96 years and was happy every day.  

 

That's what I want for myself, that kind of life, the feeling of being who I am and not worrying that this one or that one may not approve or like it.  

 

So this year, I am going to focus on what I like and what makes me happy.  

 

 

 

I will read books about whatever strikes my fancy or interests me at the time.  If I only read one book this year, then that's fine, if I read 20 that's fine too, as long as it's because I wanted to and not because of a goal or list.  (Been there, done that, and constantly failed)

 

 

 

I am going to be intentional about the time I spend in the word and with God.  I want a stronger, closer relationship and for that I have to make the effort.  So I want to do more bible reading, more devotional reading, more bible study.

 

I want to stop eating things that I know are not good for me, and I want to be intentional about what I put into my body.  I don't want to feel pressured to eat this or that just because everyone else is.  I'm over that.  If I want eat it, I will, if I don't, I won't.

 

I want to stay focused on working out daily, even if it's just 10 minutes of walking.  Intentionally helping my body stay strong, and especially my bones as we know the older we get the weaker our bones become.  

 

I want to choose something to learn this year.  I love crochet but knitting has always been very basic for me, I have never really tried to learn or excel in it, and I want to change that this year.  With that in mind, I want to be intentional and purposeful with my time, and rather than scrolling on social media. I can have knitting needles in my hand and working on something useful.

 

 

 

I want to watch shows that are good, family oriented, educational.  I am going to watch only YouTube channels that teach me something or inspire me to be creative, to be a better mother and wife and homemaker.

 

These are just some examples of what I want to do, they're not goals but rather intentions.

 

 

 

I want to surround myself with pretty things, whether created by myself or bought.  Crocheted blankets and pillows, knitted socks, hats and mittens, old books, candles, vintage items.  I don't want to be told "oh that's not what everyone is using right now, that's out of fashion."  Good, I don't care, that just makes me want it even more.

 

So, now that you have an idea what I'm thinking of, here is just a small list of things I really want to get into or do.

 

Watch old movies and series I remember watching with my family, during my childhood.  Like Deer Hunter, The Killing Fields (Cambodia),  Dallas, Little House on the Prairie, Murder She Wrote etc.

 

I want to buy a record player and get all the oldies from thrift stores and antique stores to play.  Paul Anka, Phil Collins, The Pretenders, Julio Iglesias, Stevie Wonder.  There's so many that I want to get.

 

Reading mostly Christian Fiction, but also a lot of historical fiction along the lines of Phillipa Gregory and Alison Weir.  I want to learn more about Portugal's history, of course more England history but also want to get more into the history of the USA.  

 

 

All things that I want to do.  I don't think that I will fail because I've taken the pressure of feeling like I have to stick to some sort of goal or list.  These are things I'm interested in and want to do devote more time to, which means I will purposefully and intentionally focus on them because they make me happy.

 

How about you?  Are you going to be intentional this year too?  I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this.