As the new year begins, many of us feel pressure to reset, resolve, and reinvent ourselves.
But for mothers—especially those navigating postpartum recovery, sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and the emotional labour of raising young children—traditional New Year’s resolutions often do more harm than good.
In this episode of Breathe, Laugh, Parent – The Shine Om Podcast, I share a different approach to setting intentions for the year ahead—one that centres the nervous system, honours the season of motherhood you’re in, and focuses on how you want to feel, not just what you want to achieve.
Table of Contents
Why Traditional Resolutions Often Fail Mothers
For years, I set goals the way I thought I should.
Big lists. Lots of excitement. Ambition that ignored my body, my capacity, and the reality of motherhood.
Last year, I set six major goals while postpartum, breastfeeding, healing, and mothering two very young children. The goals were beautiful on paper—but they didn’t support the life I was actually living.
I wasn’t failing my goals. The goals were failing me.
There’s a quote that always returns at this time of year:
We overestimate what we can achieve in one year and underestimate what we can achieve over many years.
Sustainable growth doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from alignment.
Starting with How You Want to Feel
Before I set any goals now, I begin with one question:
How do I want to feel at the end of the year?
Not what I’ve produced.
Not what I’ve achieved.
But how my body feels. How motherhood feels. How life feels inside me.
The overarching intention that came through for me this year is:
“I am birthing the most loved and nourished version of me.”
Everything else flows from that.
This version of me is connected to her needs, honours her cycle, nourishes her body, prioritises rest, and moves through the world with more ease and vitality. She values her health, her energy, and her nervous system as measures of success.
The overarching intention that came through for me this year is:
“I am birthing the most loved and nourished version of me.”
Everything else flows from that.
This version of me is connected to her needs, honours her cycle, nourishes her body, prioritises rest, and moves through the world with more ease and vitality. She values her health, her energy, and her nervous system as measures of success.
Choosing Focus Areas That Support Your Nervous System
From this intention, I then ask:
What are the key focus areas that will support this version of me?
This year, I’ve chosen four:
- Restoring my physical health and iron levels
- Self-publishing my Calm Connection Guide
- Finishing my book
- Completing my clinical aromatherapist course
While four may sound like a lot, each one supports my core intention rather than competing with it.
Each intention is then broken down into:
- Sub-goals
- Quarterly focus
- Monthly actions
This creates clarity without and keeps my nervous system regulated—especially important when parenting two young children.
Releasing the Patterns That No Longer Serve
Alongside setting intentions, I also look at the beliefs that need to be released.
For me, that includes rewriting lineage stories and reminding myself that:
- I am the best mother when my cup is full
- My children thrive when I care for myself
- My joy, health, and energy are valid measures of success
- It is safe for me to be nourished, supported, and in my power
Intentions are not just about adding more. They’re about letting go of what no longer fits.
An Invitation for You
If you’re feeling the pull to do things differently this year, I invite you to pause before setting goals.
Ask yourself:
- How do I want to feel at the end of this year?
- Who am I becoming?
- What would actually support my nervous system—not drain it?
You don’t need to become someone new this year.
You’re already becoming.
Listen here
If this resonated with you, then please have a listen to my latest podcast episode available on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts.
✨ Share your intentions with me on Instagram @shineomau — I’d love to hear what you’re birthing this year.
Related Episodes to Explore
If you are curious to learn more, we recommend reading or tuning in to the following episodes related to this topic.
- Not the Same Woman I Was: An End-of-Year Reflection on Motherhood, Healing & Growth
- The Nervous System & Parenting
- Permission to Feel: Why Emotional Expression Is a Parenting Superpower
- Micro Moments of Joy: Self-Care for Mums
- From Maiden to Mother: Navigating and Reclaiming Your Identity in Motherhood.
