14. Goals, Intentions, and that New Year Feeling

It's that time of year when everyone starts acting like January is a reset button and a goal will save their life. In this episode, Sarah and Stefanie talk about goals without the usual hype. The kind that actually fit your values versus the ones you absorb from culture and then punish yourself for not wanting. They get into why goal language can feel weirdly controlling, why outcome-based goals can ramp up pressure fast, and what changes when you shift toward intention, presence, and process instead of chasing a finish line. If goal season makes you feel motivated and vaguely annoyed (or just tired), this conversation will make you feel less alone — and probably a little clearer about what you actually want going into 2026. Tune in to hear about...   Why "goal season" can feel motivating and weirdly pressurizing The difference between borrowed goals (culture-approved) and goals that actually fit you Goals vs. intentions: why intention can feel more flexible and human Process goals vs. outcome goals (and why process can be less mentally suffocating) What it looks like to release outcome-control without giving up on growth How "productivity culture" sneaks into personal development language Why certain goals (especially body/weight-related ones) are more loaded Redefining success around presence, alignment, and capacity Knowing when stepping back is growth (not "falling behind") The push-pull of action vs. receptivity (masculine/feminine energy) Picking a "word for the year" as a softer entry point into change Love the episode? Leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more than you'd think (and yes, we actually read them). Not sure what to write? You can literally just copy and paste this: BEST PODCAST EVER — A UNIQUE REVIEW We won't argue with you. More About Stefanie Michele: Instagram Substack Website Full But Not Finished on YouTube More About Sarah Dosanjh: YouTube Instagram Website Book: I Can't Stop Eating