--- title: Intentions, Not Resolutions description: Pam Spano decided to take a different approach to New Year's resolutions, making intentions instead. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230120%20PSpano%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/intentions-not-resolutions#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Intentions, Not Resolutions Jan 20, 2023 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Pam Spano](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/pam-spano) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230120%20PSpano%201.png) *Pam Spano decided to take a different approach to New Year's resolutions, making intentions instead.* --- The holiday blur is over and visually we are left with the boxes that have to be broken down and the extra pounds we gained. Inwardly, people make resolutions that are never kept. Since I’m one of them, I have not made resolutions over the years. I tried to make small adjustments in my life so I felt I had accomplished something. However, the other day I read something that changed my perspective of resolutions. Someone stated they were making a list of “intentions” for the new year. Intentions? I was intrigued! It was explained that the intentions were just that. I looked up the word *intention:* > noun: > > an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result. > > the end or object intended; purpose. > > intentions, > > - purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct: a bungler with good intentions. > - purpose or attitude with respect to marriage: Our friends are beginning to ask what our intentions are. > > the act or fact of intending.   This made sense to me and I hope to you, too. I plan to start out small with one or two intentions. When I’ve accomplished those (or made them a habit), I will add more. I may or may not journal them, but I do want to keep track. My first intention will be to pray for all of you: that you have a healthy and joyful new year!   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230120%20PSpano%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230120%20PSpano%202.png) --- Copyright 2023 Pam Spano Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fintentions-not-resolutions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fintentions-not-resolutions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fintentions-not-resolutions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Intentions%2C%20Not%20Resolutions) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fintentions-not-resolutions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fintentions-not-resolutions%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Pam Spano](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Pam%20Spano%202024.jpeg) ### [Pam Spano](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/pam-spano) Pam Spano converted to the Catholic faith as an adult over 30 years ago. Her conversion story started when she sarcastically said to her Catholic boyfriend at the time, "I suppose if we were to get married, you would want me to convert." He thought for a moment and said, "Well, I am worried about your soul." And so the journey began ... ## Related Blog Articles [ My Top Ten Blessings of 2020 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/my-top-ten-blessings-of-2020) [ Facebook Memories During a Pandemic Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/facebook-memories-during-a-pandemic) [ The Bible in a Year: A Promise to Myself Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-bible-in-a-year-a-promise-to-myself) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.