Setting Intentions for the New Year: Reflecting on Balance, Burnout, and Self-Care

As the year turned over, I, like many others, took time to reflect on what worked last year and what didn’t. While traditional New Year’s Resolutions often feel rigid and hard to stick to—especially when they aren’t measurable—I decided to focus on Intentions for the year instead.

Setting Measurable Goals

Of course, I still set my usual measurable goals: watch 100 movies, read 30 books, and visit one new city. These goals keep me motivated and give me something tangible to strive for, but this year, they felt... insufficient.

Balancing Life’s Many Roles

Alongside my quirky intention to "learn to like salad" (yes, it’s a running joke—how can a vegetarian of over half her life still not like salads?), I’ve also set deeper, more meaningful intentions for my professional and personal life.

Between all the work I do with The Artful Astronaut, I juggle many roles: I’m a mother to an anxious, needy dog, a homeowner, a friend to a large and loving community, and I even do data entry on the side to make ends meet. I truly enjoy everything I do—spending time with people, helping where I can, and finding fulfillment in the connections that make life meaningful. But these roles all demand time and energy every single day.

To capture what this balancing act can feel like, I recently shared a reel on Instagram about struggling to be productive after vacation. If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, this one might resonate with you. Watch it here!

Recognizing Burnout and the Need for Downtime

As an ambivert, I thrive on activity, movement, and socialization, but I also need downtime to recharge. Lately, I’ve felt like I’m “on” from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed—sometimes up to 18 hours a day.

That’s why one of my biggest intentions for the new year is to be more mindful of my time and create space for myself. This includes:

• Picking up video games I haven’t played in years. Video games create a space where I’m forced to set time aside for myself. Since multitasking isn’t an option while playing, they help me unplug and focus on one thing, giving my mind a much-needed break.
• Starting HIIT workouts. These quick, high-intensity workouts are perfect for staying active indoors and have become a great supplement to my running routine—especially on days when heading outside feels too difficult.
• Rediscovering the joy of a hot drink. Whether it’s tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, those quiet moments with a warm cup on a cold day have brought me surprising peace and comfort.
  

If you’re looking for a little extra encouragement to prioritize self-care, I’ve also created a self-care sticker set as a fun reminder to take time for yourself. Stick them on your planner, water bottle, or anywhere that inspires you to prioritize your well-being.

How to Address Burnout Before It Spirals

Burnout doesn’t announce itself loudly—it creeps in slowly. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs and take action before it gets worse.

No, a hot drink won’t cure burnout. But taking the time to sit quietly and sip it, undistracted, instead of slurping it down while multitasking, has helped me feel more grounded.

Reflecting on Your Intentions

As we step into 2025, I encourage you to reflect on your own time, intentions, and the small things that bring you peace. Your methods for self-care and burnout recovery might look different from mine, and that’s okay. The most important part is taking the time to figure out what works for you.

Here’s to a mindful, intentional, and artful 2025.