As we kick off 2025 many of us are acting on those New Year resolutions to better look after ourselves for the next year. More time in the gym? Check. Eating healthier? Check. Banishing some unhelpful habit in favor of a more productive one? Check, check, and check!
But what if we went a step further and focused on inclusive intentions that extend beyond personal growth to support the growth of those around us?
Setting intentions for inclusivity can transform not only our lives but also the communities we inhabit. By setting inclusive intentions, we commit ourselves to creating spaces, relationships, and habits that foster acceptance, belonging, and respect for all. Here are some ideas to get you started!
Commit to Learning About Inclusivity and Intersectionality
Inclusivity starts with understanding, and understanding requires education. To create a genuinely inclusive mindset, it’s crucial to educate ourselves on the complexities of identity and intersectionality. Intersectionality - a term coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw - acknowledges how different aspects of identity (such as race, gender, sexuality, and class) intersect to create unique experiences and challenges. Educating ourselves about these intersections can help us recognize the layers of privilege, discrimination, and power dynamics that affect others.
How to build this intention:
Read and engage with diverse media. Seek out books, articles, and documentaries by LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, and other marginalized creators. Prioritize voices from communities you might not personally relate to, but whose experiences can broaden your perspective.
Join or attend workshops on anti-racism, LGBTQ+ allyship, disability awareness, and intersectionality. Many organizations offer free or low-cost training sessions that can help you gain a deeper understanding of inclusivity.
Reflect on your own experiences and privileges. Take time to consider how your identity shapes your worldview, and notice where you may hold unconscious biases. Use these reflections to challenge assumptions and make more thoughtful choices.
Set the intention: “This year, I will make a commitment to understanding and learning about the unique experiences of others and actively work to unlearn my own biases.”
Practice Active Listening and Seek Out Marginalized Voices
Listening with empathy and intention is one of the most meaningful ways to show respect and openness. Active listening is especially important when engaging with individuals whose identities, backgrounds, or life experiences differ from our own. It involves being fully present, listening without judgment, and validating the speaker’s perspective.
Ways to incorporate active listening and amplify voices:
Be fully present in conversations, particularly when someone shares their experiences with discrimination, prejudice, or exclusion. Validate their experiences and avoid minimizing or trying to “fix” their feelings. Sometimes, people simply need to be heard.
Seek out and share content from creators whose voices are often overlooked. Whether it’s social media, art, or literature, sharing diverse voices and perspectives helps broaden awareness and supports creators from marginalized communities.
Offer space for others in group discussions or social settings. If you find yourself often taking the lead, step back and make room for those who may feel less empowered to speak up.
Set the intention: “This year, I will practice active listening and seek to amplify marginalized voices in my personal and social spaces, committing to being fully present and open.”
Support Inclusive Businesses and Diverse Creators
Our purchasing power is more than just a transaction; it’s an endorsement of the practices and values of the brands and creators we support. Shopping mindfully with inclusivity in mind can direct resources toward businesses and creators from underrepresented communities, helping them thrive.
Ways to support inclusivity through consumer choices:
Shop from diverse creators and inclusive businesses. Websites like Etsy, Naspora, or local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC business directories highlight diverse creators and entrepreneurs. Supporting these businesses is a tangible way to promote inclusivity in the marketplace.
Research brand practices. Many brands now publicly share their commitments to inclusivity, fair labor, and sustainability. Look for companies that actively promote inclusivity and transparency in their business practices, and choose to support those that align with your values.
Share and recommend inclusive businesses. Word of mouth is powerful. When you discover a business that prioritizes inclusivity, share it with friends, family, or on social media to help spread awareness.
Set the intention: “I will actively seek out and support inclusive businesses and diverse creators, directing my resources toward those who align with my commitment to a more equitable world.”
Prioritize Accessibility in All Spaces
Creating truly inclusive environments requires us to prioritize accessibility. This applies to physical spaces, online platforms, and even social gatherings. Accessibility is more than just ramps or elevators; it’s about designing spaces and experiences that are inclusive and welcoming for all abilities.
Ways to prioritize accessibility:
Evaluate and adapt physical spaces. If you’re hosting an event or gathering, consider how accessible it is for people with disabilities. Are there wheelchair-accessible entrances? Is there adequate seating? Could someone with sensory sensitivities comfortably participate?
Make digital spaces inclusive. For online content, this might mean using captions on videos, adding alt text to images, and ensuring documents are compatible with screen readers. For social media, platforms like Instagram and Twitter allow for adding descriptive alt text to images.
Ask people what they need. Inclusivity starts with asking people directly what makes them feel comfortable. A simple question like “What can we do to make this space accessible for you?” goes a long way in making people feel valued and considered.
Set the intention: “This year, I will actively prioritize accessibility in every space I create, aiming to make all environments as inclusive and welcoming as possible.”
Practice Inclusive Language and Pronoun Awareness
Language shapes how people experience the world and can either validate or marginalize their identities. Practicing inclusive language shows respect and understanding, especially regarding pronouns and non-gendered language.
How to be mindful of language:
Ask for pronouns and respect them. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask. Normalizing the practice of sharing pronouns, whether in social settings or on platforms like Zoom, creates an environment of respect.
Use gender-neutral terms, especially when speaking to or about groups. Instead of saying “ladies and gentlemen,” try saying “everyone,” “team,” or “folks.” Avoid assuming anyone’s gender based on their appearance or voice.
Avoid ableist language. Common phrases like “crazy,” “insane,” or “lame” reinforce harmful stereotypes about disability and mental health. Instead, try using alternatives that convey your meaning without reinforcing stigma.
Set the intention: “I will use inclusive language and make a conscious effort to respect pronouns, reinforcing an environment of acceptance and respect.”
Engage in Active, Ongoing Allyship
Being an ally means taking consistent action to support marginalized communities, challenging discrimination, and advocating for inclusion. True allyship is more than just saying you're pro-something or posting supportive social media posts; it’s an ongoing commitment to speaking up, standing up, and showing up for others.
Ways to practice allyship:
Intervene when you witness discrimination, whether in the workplace, social settings, or online. Speaking up when you notice exclusionary behavior, slurs, or hurtful comments can make a big difference.
Participate in community support efforts, such as attending local events, rallies, or fundraisers for marginalized groups. Allyship is often as simple as showing up and standing in solidarity.
Stay open to feedback. Allyship is a learning journey. Be willing to accept feedback and adjust your actions if you unintentionally harm someone. Apologize, learn, and keep working toward being a better ally.
Set the intention: “This year, I will engage in active allyship, working to support and uplift marginalized communities through my words, actions, and advocacy.”
Reflect Regularly on Your Journey Toward Inclusivity
Inclusivity isn’t a one-time goal; it’s a lifelong commitment. Reflecting regularly on your progress allows you to track growth, celebrate wins, and identify areas where you can improve. Setting a regular time to check in on your inclusivity journey helps keep these intentions at the forefront of your actions and decisions.
How to reflect on inclusivity intentions:
Keep a journal or note app where you write down reflections on your journey. This might include times when you practiced inclusivity, moments of growth, or areas where you fell short. Reflecting on these experiences provides valuable insight.
Set monthly or quarterly check-ins to assess your progress. Regular check-ins allow you to see if there are new areas where you’d like to focus or intentions that need adjustment.
Celebrate small victories and acknowledge the progress you’ve made. Change takes time, and each step toward inclusivity, no matter how small, contributes to a more inclusive world.
Set the intention: “I will regularly reflect on my inclusivity journey, celebrating progress and learning from my experiences to continuously grow.”
Moving Forward: Creating a More Inclusive Year (and Life)
Setting inclusive intentions is a powerful way to make the new year a time of growth, empathy, and positive impact. By committing to actions that foster understanding, accessibility, and allyship, we contribute to a culture of compassion and belonging that benefits everyone.
These inclusive intentions remind us that each choice we make has the potential to support a world where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels respected and valued. So let’s start this New Year with a commitment to inclusivity, knowing that each step we take brings us closer to a world that celebrates and honors the diversity of all people despite those who fight against it.
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