Day 58 of 100 Days of Hope
How Being Intentional Creates Connection and Joy in Family Life
Life in midlife can feel full—yet sometimes strangely empty. The to-do lists, family commitments, and endless notifications pull us in a thousand directions. But underneath all of it, there’s a quiet whisper that says, “I want to feel more connected. I want to live on purpose.”
That whisper is your invitation to become intentional.
What It Means to Be Intentional
Being intentional means living with awareness and choice instead of habit and reaction. It’s deciding what really matters to you—and aligning your time, energy, and attention around those values.
Family therapist William Doherty, author of The Intentional Family, reminds us that “Without intentionality, family life becomes a blur of activities with no real connection.” His research shows that families thrive not because they are busier or more productive, but because they are purposeful. They create rituals that nurture belonging and love.
Family Rituals That Build Connection
In his book, Doherty describes how family dinner can become a sacred daily ritual—not because of the food, but because of the connection it invites.
He writes, “When families eat together regularly, with a clear beginning, middle, and end—and without the distraction of screens—they build a rhythm of shared attention.”
Think about that. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence. Dinner becomes more than a meal; it’s a moment of togetherness, a chance to talk, laugh, and listen.
For many midlife moms, these moments are what hold families together during the whirlwind years of change—when kids are becoming more independent, careers are shifting, and the next season of life feels both exciting and uncertain.
Intentional Living in Midlife
As we move into midlife, our priorities often shift. What once filled us may now feel draining. Being intentional helps us realign with what feels authentic and life-giving.
Here are a few ideas to bring more intention and connection into your daily rhythm:
Create quiet space for reflection.
Ask yourself: What do I truly value? What do I want my family and relationships to feel like? Write it down. Clarity is the first step toward intention.Establish small, meaningful rituals.
Morning hugs before school. Evening walks with your spouse. Sunday planning sessions. These small patterns of attention weave love into everyday life.Eliminate distractions.
Put your phone in another room during dinner or when talking with a loved one. Presence is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.Take one small step each day.
Intentional living isn’t about drastic change—it’s about small, conscious actions. As author Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Intentionality Strengthens Relationships
When we live intentionally, we become better partners, parents, and friends. We stop running on autopilot and start responding instead of reacting. Our relationships deepen because we show up with presence, curiosity, and care.
As Doherty beautifully said, “Rituals create predictability and connection—they help families know who they are.” And when you know who you are, you bring more peace and confidence to everyone around you.
A Closing Thought
You have as much time as everyone else. The difference lies in how you use it. When you choose to live intentionally, you reclaim your time, your energy, and your hope for the future.
Whether it’s through family dinners, shared laughter, or simple moments of gratitude—intentional living helps you create relationships that feel meaningful and alive.
Here is a little video to hear more.
Take the Next Step: Create Your Own Intentional Life
If this message speaks to your heart, it’s because something inside you already knows—it’s time to slow down, notice, and choose what matters most. You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel more connected. You just need to begin—one intentional step at a time.
💛 Here’s what you can do today:
Watch my short video on being intentional—it’s a simple reminder to pause, breathe, and come back to what’s real.
Take five minutes to write down what you want your family to feel like over the next season of life.
If you’re ready for deeper support in creating intentional connection, I’d love to walk alongside you.
✨ Schedule a free 20-minute Shine Bright Connection Call — we’ll uncover what’s getting in the way of your peace and create a plan for more joy, love, and alignment in your family and relationships.
👉 Schedule Your Free Call Here
You deserve to feel connected, peaceful, and on purpose.
Life isn’t meant to be a blur—it’s meant to shine.
Much love,
Julie Burningham
The Hope Coach, Shine Bright Life Coaching