Setting Creative Intentions

Should You Ditch the Resolutions?

We’re at that time of year again. The end of December came and went, and suddenly, everyone’s talking about resolutions. You’re supposed to set goals, lay out ambitious plans, and decide that this will finally be the year you [insert whatever your idealized vision is here]. Maybe you’re supposed to finish that huge body of work, post to social media daily, land your dream exhibition, or just get your art practice together. Is this the year you finally figure out TikTok?

And maybe you’ve done this before. You set resolutions with the best of intentions. But by mid-February — or let’s be honest, mid-January — the momentum fades. Life gets in the way, motivation dips, and those rigid resolutions feel more like weights than inspiration. Then comes the guilt or frustration. You might even question your commitment or your identity as an artist.

Sound familiar?

If it does, you’re not alone. Resolutions are everywhere this time of year, but they’re not always helpful, especially when it comes to creativity. That’s why I want to talk about something that can be more effective, more forgiving, and — most importantly — more inspiring: creative intentions.

So, should you ditch the resolutions this year? I think you should consider it. Here’s why.

Resolutions Feel Rigid; Intentions Feel Flexible

The problem with resolutions is that they’re often tied to specific outcomes. “I will paint 50 pieces this year.” “I will sell $10,000 worth of art.” “I will finally launch my website.” These are all clear, measurable goals — and there’s nothing wrong with goals…as we know I’m a huge fan of setting new goals.  But sometimes….sometimes life, especially an artist’s life, doesn’t always follow a straight line. Creativity ebbs and flows. Some weeks you’re on fire, other weeks you can barely get yourself into the studio. Resolutions don’t leave much room for that natural rhythm.

Intentions, on the other hand, give you a direction to move toward without locking you into a rigid path. Instead of focusing on what you must achieve, you focus on how you want to show up in your creative life. An intention might sound like, “I want to explore new techniques this year,” or “I want to be more consistent with my creative practice.” These statements leave room for flexibility. They give you permission to adapt as things change — because they will change.

Why Flexibility Matters in a Creative Life

As we know, art (and any creative process for that matter) is inherently unpredictable. You might plan to work on a specific project, but halfway through, a new idea grabs your attention and won’t let go. Or maybe you set a resolution to post your work online every day, but after a month, you realize it’s burning you out and making you resent social media.

When you set intentions instead of resolutions, you’re acknowledging that creativity can’t always be forced. You’re giving yourself space to pivot, to follow inspiration when it strikes, and to rest when you need to. You’re prioritizing the process over the outcome — and let’s be honest, the process is where the real magic happens.

Intentions Inspire, Resolutions Pressure

There’s another thing about resolutions: they come with a sense of pressure. You’ve made a promise to yourself, and if you don’t keep it, it can feel like failure. That’s a lot of weight to carry into your creative practice. And for many artists, pressure is the fastest way to kill inspiration.

Intentions, by contrast, are more about the why behind your actions. Why do you want to create more consistently? Why do you want to share your work with the world? When you connect with those deeper motivations, it’s easier to stay inspired. You’re not just ticking boxes off a list — you’re nurturing something that matters to you. And when setbacks happen (because they will), you’re less likely to feel defeated and more likely to adjust and keep going.

How to Set Creative Intentions That Work for You

So, how do you set intentions that actually support your creative practice? Start by reflecting on what you really want from your art life. Not what you think you should want, or what other artists are doing, but what feels right for you.

Maybe you want to reconnect with the joy of creating, without worrying about whether the work is “good.” Maybe you want to push yourself to share your art more, even if it feels scary. Maybe you want to make your creative practice a bigger part of your daily life, even if you’re balancing it with a day job or other responsibilities.

Whatever your intentions are, try to keep them open-ended and adaptable. Instead of saying, “I will complete a new series by June,” you might say, “I want to explore this theme and see where it leads me.” Instead of, “I will get into three juried shows this year,” you could say, “I want to share my work more widely and take more creative risks.” These kinds of intentions give you room to grow, experiment, and change course if needed. They focus on your growth as an artist, not just what you produce.

Blending Your Art and Life (rumor has it that’s the “plan”?!)

As artists, our creative work isn’t separate from the rest of our lives. It’s all interconnected. Some years, you might have the energy and space to create prolifically. Other years, life might demand more of your time and attention. And that’s okay.

Setting intentions lets you acknowledge this reality. You can be ambitious and compassionate with yourself at the same time. You can honor your desire to create while also recognizing that rest, exploration, and even periods of “not creating” are part of the process too.

Moving into 2025 with Intention

As you move into 2025, consider what it would feel like to approach your art practice with intention rather than resolution. What would it feel like to create from a place of curiosity rather than expectation? To give yourself room to explore, change, and grow without the fear of “failing”? Your art practice is yours. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. And your path doesn’t have to follow a straight line. Intentions remind you of that. They give you a compass, not a map. A direction, not a demand.

So, this year, maybe ditch the resolutions. Instead, set a few creative intentions that light you up. Ones that make you excited to step into your studio, pick up your tools, or sit down at your desk. Ones that remind you why you make art in the first place. Because at the end of the day, the best thing you can bring to your creative life is you — your passion, your curiosity, your voice. And that’s something no resolution can capture, but a good intention just might.