New Year, New You: Setting Intentions for Life Transitions

Let’s face it—midlife can be a time of major change. It can feel overwhelming whether you’re adjusting to an empty nest, navigating retirement, or starting over after a divorce.

But here’s the good news: Midlife is also the perfect time to redefine yourself. Why? Because you’ve gained wisdom, resilience, and a clearer sense of what matters.

And that's why setting intentions for the new year is so important.

Transcript

Welcome to Aspire and Achieve with Annie! I’m your host, Annie Lewellyn, life coach and fellow midlife woman who knows the ups and downs of life transitions all too well.

Here, I’ll dive into the challenges and opportunities of navigating midlife—whether it’s rediscovering yourself after an empty nester, healing from grief, rebuilding after divorce, or embracing retirement.

Each week, I’ll share personal stories, practical tools, and a little humor to help you turn your struggles into strengths and create a life you truly love. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s take on this journey together.

Let’s get started!

Hello! We're starting this journey today with the perfect topic: Setting Intentions for Life Transitions.

Before we dive in, a quick shoutout to all of you who’ve supported this podcast. Your emails, reviews, and shares mean the world to me. And if you’re ready to start the new year with clarity, don’t forget to grab my FREE Setting Intentions Workbook—it’s linked in the show notes.

All right, let’s jump in!

Let’s face it—midlife can be a time of major change. Whether you’re adjusting to an empty nest, navigating retirement, or starting over after a divorce, it can feel overwhelming.

But here’s the good news: Midlife is also the perfect time to redefine yourself. Why? Because you’ve gained wisdom, resilience, and a clearer sense of what really matters. Still, many of us get stuck. We focus on what we’ve lost instead of what’s possible. That’s why setting intentions is so powerful—it shifts your focus to what you want to create in your life.

And no, this isn’t about resolutions that fizzle out by February. It’s about meaningful, intentional steps that align with who you are now and where you want to go.

I remember one January, not long after I moved to Florida right after my youngest turned 18. I was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a blank calendar. My house was quiet, and I felt...lost. I felt invisible. What do I do with myself all day? I would ask myself.

For years, my identity had been tied to being a mom. Who was I without that role?

But then I started setting small, intentional goals—things like journaling each morning and taking a class on something I loved. And guess what? I began to rediscover myself.

See, that’s the beauty of intentions—they don’t demand perfection. They invite exploration. And they helped me go from feeling invisible and lost to feeling inspired.

So, let’s take a moment to talk about what intentions actually are.

Intentions are like a compass—they’re not about specific destinations but about the direction you want to move in. They focus on the why behind your actions rather than the what. For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to lose 10 pounds, ’ an intention might be, ‘I want to honor my body by staying active and eating nourishing foods.’

The purpose of setting intentions is to help you live in alignment with your values and aspirations. They’re deeply personal and flexible. And they change as your priorities and circumstances change.

Why are intentions so helpful? Because they take the pressure off perfection and focus on progress. They remind you that every small action you take is moving you closer to the life you want. And most importantly, they ground you in the present moment.

Living with intention gives you clarity, reduces overwhelm, and helps you stay focused on what truly matters—especially during times of transition.

So, how can you start setting meaningful intentions this year? Here are three simple steps, along with some examples to inspire you:

1. Reflect on What Matters Most:

Take some quiet time to journal about your values and what you want to prioritize this year. Ask yourself questions like:

○ ‘What lights me up?’

○ ‘What drains my energy?’

○ ‘What do I want to spend more or less time doing?’

For example, if you realize that nurturing your relationships is a priority, your intention might be, “I will invest time in deepening connections with my loved ones by scheduling regular calls or visits.”

2. Start Small:

Choose one or two areas to focus on. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life—just take the first step. Here are some specific examples:

○ “I will honor my health by walking 20 minutes a day.”

○ “I will practice gratitude by writing down three things I’m thankful for every evening.”

○ "I will explore my creativity by dedicating one hour each week to a hobby I enjoy, like painting or gardening.”

3. Create a Visual Reminder:

Write down your intentions and place them somewhere you’ll see daily. This could be on a sticky note on your mirror, a note on your phone, or even a vision board. I keep my sticky notes on the wall in front of my desk, in my daily planner, and I've even been known to have a reminder note on my rear-view mirror. However, the one on my rearview mirror is a “distraction,” my man calls it, so it often gets removed before I get to see much of it.

Some examples once you figure out where to put your sticky notes may be:

○ If your intention is to focus on mindfulness, you might write, meditating for five minutes each morning.”

○ If you want to reduce stress, you could place a reminder that says, "I will prioritize self-care by saying no to commitments that overwhelm me.”

Bonus Tips:

● Pair your intentions with affirmations to keep your mindset positive. For example, if you intend to build confidence, try repeating, “I am capable and deserving of success."

● Check in with yourself weekly to evaluate your progress and make adjustments.

Remember, intentions are about creating a life that feels authentic to you, not about chasing perfection. Start small, stay consistent, and celebrate every little win along the way!

Today, we explored why midlife is the perfect time to redefine yourself, what intentions are, and how they can help you focus on what truly matters. We also covered three simple steps to get started: reflect on your values, start small, and create a visual reminder.

To help you get started, I am offering a free Setting Intentions Workbook—it’s packed with prompts and exercises to help you get started. You can find the link in the show notes or on my website at annielewellyn.com.

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Aspire and Achieve with Annie. I hope today’s discussion on setting intentions gave you the inspiration and tools you need to move forward.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend who might benefit from it. Your support means the world to me!

And don’t forget to check out other free resources available on my website at annielewellyn.com—they’re there to help you on your journey.

Join me next Monday at 7 am when we’ll dive into ‘Navigating Grief with Grace’.  I'll share my personal journey and offer tools to help you find strength in loss. It’s a deeply personal episode, and I hope you’ll join me.

Until then, remember: life’s challenges don’t define you—they shape you. You’ve got this!