As the calendar resets and we step into a new year, I find myself drawn less to the concept of resolutions and more to the idea of living an intentional year. Resolutions often feel rigid, a pass/fail test that doesn’t allow space for evolution. Instead, I choose to view each year as a spiral—an opportunity to revisit my path, not as a loop endlessly spinning me in circles, but as a journey bringing me ever closer to my true self. With each turn of the wheel, I release what no longer serves me and make room for… what? Growth, wisdom, alignment, deeper connection—whatever I need most at the moment.
Embracing a Flexible Start to My Intentional Year
I used to feel that if I didn’t begin my New Year’s intentions on January 1st, I had already failed. But over time, I’ve realized that meaningful change doesn’t adhere to a strict calendar—it unfolds when we are ready. This year, I’m embracing a flexible approach, allowing myself to ease into the shifts I want to make, trusting that starting with intention is far more important than starting on an arbitrary date.
“It isn’t too late.
~ Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed
Time is not running out.
Your life is here and now.
And the moment has arrived
at which you’re finally ready to change.”
Dry January & Chakra Work
One of the first ways I’m setting my intention for 2025 is by beginning Dry January—but on my own timeline. Rather than pressuring myself to start on January 1st, I’ll begin on January 6th, and that’s okay. Intentional living isn’t about arbitrary deadlines; it’s about making mindful choices when the time is right for you.
Alongside this, I’m committing to an 11-day chakra challenge this month, using it as a way to kick off my intentional year by balancing my energy and deepening my self-awareness. Working through the chakras aligns with my understanding of time as a spiral—each time I revisit this work, I discover new layers of insight.
The Wheel of the Year as a Spiral of Growth
My perspective on time has shifted. Rather than seeing the calendar year and the Wheel of the Year as two separate cycles, I now see them as interwoven spirals, each offering a chance to reflect, refine, and realign. With every turn of the wheel—whether at Imbolc, Beltane, Mabon, or Samhain—I return to myself, not to repeat the past, but to integrate what I’ve learned and shed what no longer fits.
One of my key practices throughout the year is updating my grimoire. Before, during, and after each full moon, sabbat, season, or shift, I revisit my writings, spells, reflections, and notes. I remove what no longer resonates, refine my thoughts, and add fresh insights. My grimoire is a living document, much like my journey—never static, always evolving.
Reflecting on My Year of Adventure
Last year, I set an intention to travel somewhere each month during 2024. I wrote about this goal in my article Embracing Adventure: Fulfilling My New Year’s Resolution, and looking back, I am proud of what I accomplished. However, when November and December arrived, I made the conscious decision not to travel due to the births of my granddaughters.
Rather than rigidly adhering to my original goal, I chose to pivot, recognizing that being present for my family and welcoming our newest members was far more important than checking off another trip. This decision was not a compromise but an affirmation of my values—honoring the significance of these moments in my children’s lives and in my own.
I still consider my goal fulfilled because the true purpose was never just about travel—it was about embracing adventure, experiencing life fully, and being open to the journey, wherever it led me. “Good enough” is good enough—perfection isn’t the point. The intention was to explore, to grow, and to say yes to life’s opportunities, and I did just that.
Expanding My Intentions for 2025
Beyond Dry January and my chakra work, I am also setting broader intentions for the year. I am committed to expanding my web design business, as well as pushing forward with new opportunities and projects that align with my purpose. At the same time, I plan to dig deeper into my craft, dedicating more time to study, practice, and refining my spiritual path. Additionally, I will continue my journey of shadow work, breaking free from limiting beliefs and dismantling the chains that bind me. Each of these goals represents a step along my spiral, a commitment to growth, empowerment, and living with purpose.
Moving Forward with Purpose
This year, I am also starting a “Good Shit” jar inspired by my sister-in-law. Throughout the year, she fills a jar with scraps of paper—small written reminders of the good things that happen.
On New Year’s Day, she reads them all, reflecting on the joy, growth, and unexpected blessings of the past year. I love this idea as a way to focus on gratitude, celebrate small victories, and remind myself that even in difficult times, there is always light to be found.
I believe that starting my intentional year by planning to have lots of “good shit” to add to my intention jar will encourage me to actively seek out moments of joy, growth, and connection. I am going to put it in a place where I will see it every day and encourage my grandchildren to add their “good shit” to the jar as well, making it a shared tradition of gratitude and celebration. It will also serve as a reminder to appreciate both the grand milestones and the small, everyday magic that makes life meaningful.
As I embrace this intentional year, I find symbolism in a single-lit candle in the darkness. Its flame is small yet unwavering, casting light in the shadows and illuminating the path ahead. Living with intention is much the same—it’s about holding onto that inner spark, allowing it to guide me through uncertainty, and trusting that even the smallest glow can dispel the darkness. Each mindful choice, each step forward, is another flicker of light leading me closer to my true self.
As I step into this new year, my focus is to live an intentional year by making deliberate choices, meaningful reflection, and embracing change with grace. The wheel will continue to turn, the spiral will continue to unfold, and I will continue to walk my path, growing with each step as I continue to build my legacy in small, everyday moments—through the love I share, the wisdom I cultivate, and the impact I make in the lives of those around me. Its flame is small yet unwavering, casting light in the shadows and illuminating the path ahead. Living with intention is much the same—it’s about holding onto that inner spark, allowing it to guide me through uncertainty, and trusting that even the smallest glow can dispel the darkness. Each mindful choice, each step forward, is another flicker of light leading me closer to my true self.
How will you embrace intention in your journey this year?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.
✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.