Week 1: Setting Your Intentions
Transcript:
Today we’re diving into the first week of our journey toward a more intentional, values-aligned holiday season. If you’re just getting to know me, I’m Lauren Hooper, and I have been sharing about money, minimalism, and Mother Earth online since 2015 via blogs, social media, and my business, The Minimalist Wallet. I created this online course because I’ve seen how powerful it can be to simplify and align our choices with what truly matters, especially during a time of year when things can easily get overwhelming.
Now, a little background on this course. In 2016, I went back to school and spent over five years earning by finance degree as a part-time and eventually full-time student. And I experienced every possible type of class: large lectures, small in-person groups, hybrid models, fully online—you name it. So, when I designed this course, I thought carefully about the classes that I loved the most, the ones where I felt engaged, valued, and supported. That’s the type of environment I’m striving for here. While we can’t all be in a physical classroom together, we can still connect, learn, and jump back into our lives with valuable insights and positive energy. I’m so honored you’re here, and I’m committed to making every minute you spend here worth it.
Each class will follow a simple structure: I’ll take 15-30 minutes to take in depth about the week’s focus. Each audio class will feature prompts that are integrated into the digital workbook that follows the course. You get the opportunity to decide how and when you answer those prompts and/or take action. You can also share your experience with the week’s topic via the online message board you were granted access to at the start of the class. And about once every 2 weeks, we’ll meet up in Zoom to discuss what we’ve learned and what we’ve taken action on so far. These live group chats are my favorite part of this course. You and your fellow classmates are a group with diverse experiences and perspectives, and I believe that’s the heart of what makes this course meaningful.
So, let’s jump into Week 1! This week, we’re focusing on setting intentions, removing outside influences, and truly committing to a minimalist holiday season.
A minimalist holiday is not about restricting or denying yourself anything; it’s about designing a holiday season that is deeply personal and meaningful. Whether that means zero presents under the tree or a few thoughtful ones, whether you’re in a sparkling party dress or cozy pajamas, it’s about crafting a holiday that feels 100% authentically you. Minimalism is a tool for removing anything that doesn’t serve you, so all that’s left is what truly matters.
To start, I want each of you to think about your intentions for this holiday season. What do you want it to look, feel, and even smell like? This could be cozy evenings curled up with a book and tea, or it might be venturing out to holiday markets, light displays, and family gatherings. Take a few moments to think about it. And remember, your vision can evolve over time. It’s okay to hold onto something until it no longer fits, and then let it go.
If you would like, you can now pass this audio class and open to the Week 1 section of your workbook to start writing down your answers to the questions I’ll be asking along the way in today’s episodes. Of course, you are also welcome to wait until you have finished the entire episode to start reflecting on how you will bring intention into your holiday season.
Once you’re clear on what you want, it becomes easier to identify what you don’t want. This brings us to our next focus: removing outside influences and setting boundaries. When you know what matters most, you’re in a better position to let go of anything that doesn’t align with your vision. And these boundaries can be both internal and external.
Internally, maybe this means letting go of self-criticism around what you eat during the holidays. Externally, it might mean unsubscribing from certain emails or unfollowing social media accounts that don’t align with your goals for this season. I encourage you to jot down some initial ideas for boundaries—think about actions, things, or influences you might want to minimize or remove.
For example, if your goal is a calm, peaceful holiday to recharge for a big project in the new year, then reducing travel could be a priority. If you’re always exhausted after a holiday trip, maybe this year, you come back a little earlier so you have that buffer of rest before jumping back into work or activities.
Now that we have our intentions and our boundaries, it’s time to commit to them. This week, I want each of us to take one small action to move closer to the holiday we envision. Maybe it’s telling a friend or family member about your intentions, or starting a new ritual that aligns with your holiday vision. Every small step matters.
Thank you so much for joining me in this first step toward a minimalist holiday.
Next week, we’ll dive into how to set a budget for holiday expenses that balances your financial and seasonal goals. Until then, take a few minutes each day to reconnect with the intentions you set today. This journey is all about small, mindful steps, so let’s take them together.
Thank you again for being here—I’m so honored to be on this journey with you.
