Creating a Life You Love Through Mindful Intentions

Let me start with a question: When’s the last time you sat down and thought about what you actually want your life to look like? Not what your kids want, not what your partner wants, not what your in-laws think you should be doing—but what you want.

If your answer is “Does ‘on my wedding day’ count?” or “I think about it when I’m hiding in the car eating chips,” you’re in good company. Life gets busy. Between work, kids, relationships, and trying to remember which bin goes out on which day, it’s easy to go into autopilot.

But here’s the thing: You deserve more than just surviving. You deserve a life that feels authentically you—a life you love waking up to (most days; let’s not get carried away here). And the way to get there?

Mindful intentions.

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. This isn’t about creating a color-coded vision board or meditating for an hour every morning while sipping green juice. (If that works for you, amazing! If not, it’s honestly ok!) No, mindful intentions are simpler than that—and they’re way more fun than you might think.

What Are Mindful Intentions?

Mindful intentions are like your personal GPS system, guiding you toward the life you want. They’re the what and why behind your actions—the little mental notes you make about how you want to show up in the world.

Unlike rigid goals (hello, New Year’s resolutions that last three weeks), intentions are fluid, adaptable, and rooted in how you want to feel. They’re less about “achieving” and more about being.

For example:

• A goal might be, “Lose 10 pounds by summer.”

• A mindful intention would be, “Nurture my body with movement and foods that make me feel good.”

See the difference? One feels like a chore; the other feels like an invitation to live better.

Why Mindful Intentions Matter

Here’s the truth: If you don’t decide how you want to live, life will decide for you. And let me tell you, “life’s plan” often involves too many commitments, not enough sleep, and forgetting what joy feels like.

Mindful intentions help you take back control. They’re a way to:

1. Stay aligned with your values.

2. Filter out the noise and focus on what really matters.

3. Live with purpose, even when life gets messy (which, let’s be honest, is every day when you’ve got seven kids).

How to Create Mindful Intentions (Without Overthinking It)

Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s talk about the how. Spoiler: It doesn’t involve buying anything or rearranging your entire life. (Unless you want to. In that case, I fully support your newfound minimalist phase.)

1. Start with What You Value

Mindful intentions work best when they’re rooted in what truly matters to you. So, take a moment to think about your core values. What do you want more of in your life? Connection? Peace? Laughter? Freedom?

For me, as a mum, a mindset coach, and someone who has learned a lot from life, my top values are connection, growth, and fun. (Because if you’re not having at least a little fun, what’s the point?)

Once you know your values, your intentions can flow from there.

2. Focus on the Feeling, Not the Outcome

Remember, intentions are about being, not just doing. Instead of saying, “I need to work harder to grow my business,” try, “I want to approach my work with creativity and passion.”

This shift takes the pressure off and makes your actions feel more meaningful. Plus, it’s a lot harder to burn out when you’re driven by joy instead of guilt.

3. Set Small, Daily Intentions

Intentions don’t have to be grand. In fact, the smaller they are, the more powerful they can be.

For example:

• “I will start my morning with gratitude.”

• “I’ll listen to my kids without multitasking.”

• “I’ll say no to one thing today that doesn’t serve me.”

These little shifts add up over time. Trust me—I’ve seen it in my own life (and in the lives of the people I coach). A great way to stay on track with morning gratitude is with a journal, here is one we recommend: https://amzn.to/3FF5Qo7

4. Embrace the Messiness

Look, I’m a big believer in progress, not perfection. Life is messy, especially when you’re juggling kids, work, and trying to remember where you put your phone (check the fridge).

Your intentions won’t always go according to plan. Some days, you’ll crush it. Other days, you’ll lose your temper during bedtime chaos and eat cereal out of the box at 10 p.m. That’s okay. The point is to keep showing up, even when it’s messy.

5. Reflect and Adjust

Intentions aren’t carved in stone. They’re like a playlist—you can shuffle, skip, or add new ones as you go.

Take time to reflect on how your intentions are working for you. What feels good? What needs tweaking? This isn’t about judging yourself; it’s about learning and growing.

A Real-Life Example (Because Life Isn’t a Pinterest Board)

Let me tell you about a week where my intentions saved me.

It was Monday morning, and I woke up to chaos. The dog had eaten someone’s homework, my husband was asking if we really needed another plant (yes, always), and the baby had decided that yogurt belonged on the walls. My initial thought? Burn it all down.

But instead of spiraling, I set one simple intention: “Stay present and find one moment of joy today.”

That moment came at lunchtime, when I noticed my four-year-old trying to “help” the baby eat by wearing a colander on his head and calling himself the “Pasta King.” I laughed so hard I cried. Chaos, yes—but also joy.

The Ripple Effect of Mindful Intentions

When you live with mindful intentions, everything shifts. You become more present, more patient, and (dare I say it?) more fun to be around.

Your relationships improve because you’re showing up as your best self. Your work feels more meaningful because it’s aligned with your values. And you start to see the beauty in the little things—the way your teenager rolls their eyes but secretly smiles at your jokes, or the satisfaction of folding laundry without finding a rogue sock.

Final Thoughts (and a Pep Talk)

Creating a life you love isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, day after day, with mindful intentions that bring you closer to the person you want to be.

So, start small. Set one intention today. Maybe it’s to laugh more, breathe deeper, or just drink your coffee while it’s still hot. Whatever it is, know that you’re taking a step toward a life that feels authentically yours.

And if you ever feel like giving up, remember: If I can create a life I love while raising seven kids, running a business, and surviving three marriages, so can you.

Now, go live with intention—and don’t forget to laugh along the way. You’ve got this.

(Please note this blog may contain links to product recommendations from Amazon, please note that if you buy through these links we do receive an affiliate payment which  helps us to continue our work.)