This past school term, I really struggled. I barely attended class, no longer enjoyed things that used to bring me joy, and watched my days blur together.

For what’s supposed to be the most exciting time of my life, I felt like I was wasting both my potential and my time.

I once heard that change and regret both hurt—but in different ways. And during this past term, it was the stagnancy, the frustration, and the quiet helplessness that sucked the most. Some days, if I didn’t journal it down, I genuinely couldn’t tell you what happened just a few hours earlier.

So, somewhere along the way, I began sitting with the idea of “intention”. Is there a difference between waking up and waking up with intention?

As I’ve come to learn, yes!

It feels like a small act of reclaiming. When I wake up and ask myself, What do I want this day to mean?, the hours that follow seem to carry a little more weight.

So, how does one live with intention?

· · · I create anchors in my day. I start each morning by making my bed and I like to end the night with some of my favorite songs. Those little rituals remind me I’m in charge of the tone I set.

· · · I notice presence. I pay attention to how the light shifts through the window or how I feel after a conversation. When I’m uncertain or distracted, I take three deep breaths and notice three objects around me. It always pulls me back to the moment.

· · · I practice gratitude. Even naming one or two things I’m grateful for shifts how the day feels. Gratitude helps me see perspective, and it turns the small, ordinary moments into joyful ones.

Living with intention looks different to everyone. But remember that you’re in more control of your life than you think. You got this!