Setting Intentional Goals for Wellness in 2026

By Jessica Liria,
Director of Prevention and Education
at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

As the new year begins, many of us feel compelled to set resolutions – to eat healthier, get organized or finally start that project we’ve been putting off. But what if instead of focusing on what we want to do, we focused on how we want to live?

January is National Be on Purpose Month, an opportunity to pause and reflect on our intentions. Celebrated annually, National Be on Purpose Month is a reminder that living with purpose doesn’t require grand resolutions or perfect plans. Instead, it begins with small, mindful choices that nurture mental wellness, strengthen relationships and align actions with what truly matters most.

At the DLC Wellness Institute, we believe that intentional living and mental health are deeply intertwined. When we focus on living with purpose, we can move away from constant comparison and focus on cultivating gratitude and self-awareness. That mindfulness not only reduces stress but also enhances resilience and emotional balance, key components of mental wellness.

While the start of the new year often brings motivation for change, resolutions can sometimes feel overwhelming or short lived. Intentional goals offer a more sustainable approach, and research has shown people who set mindful, values-based goals experience lower levels of stress and anxiety. When goals are grounded in intention, they often feel less like obligations and more like acts of self-respect.

Here’s how to make your goals more intentional this year:

Reflect: Ask yourself what truly matters right now. What do you want to feel more of — peace, connection, confidence, balance: Turn broad resolutions into meaningful actions. Instead of “I’ll exercise more,” try “I’ll move my body to feel stronger and reduce stress.”

Realign: Revisit your goals each month. Are they still aligned with your priorities and well-being? Adjust with compassion.

Release Perfection: Intentional living is about progress, not perfection. Celebrate small wins and view setbacks as opportunities to realign. Living with intention doesn’t require sweeping change; it thrives in simple, consistent moments of mindfulness.

Try startingeach day by asking “what do I want to create or contribute today?” End your day by reflecting on what felt meaningful or aligned with your values.

Being intentional can take many forms: Taking a deep breath when responding in a difficult conversation.

• Setting boundaries around technology to protect your peace.
• Prioritizing rest when your body and mind need it.
• Starting the morning with gratitude instead of urgency.
• Setting weekly intentions or keeping a purpose journal.

Each of these small acts strengthens the foundation of mental wellness, reminding us that self-care is not selfish; it’s essential. These quiet commitments can have a powerful ripple effect on mental and emotional wellness.

National Be on Purpose Month is a timely invitation to pause, realign and renew your sense of direction. But intentional living doesn’t end in January, it’s a lifelong practice of making conscious choices that honor your wellbeing. When we live with intention, every decision, big or small, becomes an opportunity to care for our mental health and create a life that feels purposeful, grounded and authentically our own.

To learn more about the work DLC is doing to provide lifesaving and life-changing behavioral health care to those in need, visit DLCenters.org