Macro Trend Forecast

LIVING WITH INTENT

MACRO TREND FORECAST

ELEVATOR PITCH

https://youtu.be/i4qX-GoFtQY

A DEEPER LOOK INSIDE

Living with Intent

Trend Drivers

Public Life

Work

Environment

Consumerism

Private Life

Home

Food Relationships

Summary

WHAT IS LIVING WITH INTENT?

In its simplest form, living with intent is ones change in attitude to not only the physical environment they surround themselves in, but their mental environment also.

Intentional life choices, turning off life’s autopilot could be a huge future trend in how people choose to live their lives.

One may examine their life choices, discover what is not good enough and make the needed changes accordingly.

It is stripping life back to basics, reconnecting with ones inner self and making choices in life that are beneficial for ones future.

A focus on necessity over indulgence.

Proving a collective willingness to engage in deeper and more meaningful connections.

1.

TREND DRIVERS

With current work hours becoming longer, pay staying stagnant and a growing lack of job security, rejecting the fast paced, work hard lifestyle is a growing concept adopted by many. Rejection of hustle culture is a shift in younger generations recognising the current unethical work days and rejecting such notion to work yourself to the bone. A shift in thought surrounding how one may work and live, and more importantly how to create a harmonious balance between the two. The ‘great resignation’ has seen a record number of U.S. workers quitting their jobs; more than 24 million between April and September 2021.

2.

The growing focus on intentional-ism a slowly spreading throughout today’s climate. Stemming from a multitude of aspects such as global pandemic, over-consumption, economic struggles, global warming and unemployment, many are changing how they live their lives in a more focused, intentional way. Living with intention is beneficial for increasing self-awareness, meaning and happiness.

3.

Locked down, working and isolating at home has caused a widespread change in how individuals are deciding to live their lives going forward from the Covid-19 pandemic. A change in perspective has caused how we socialise, communicate, work and play. Gaining a new and reformed focus on living a fulfilling life, many are focusing on bettering their mental health. The pandemic has affected the public’s mental health, amongst medical students in the UK, 37% have reported an increase in anxiety and 47% have reported an increase in depression, which affects overall life satisfaction.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.702092/full

According to a study of US consumers by HBO in April 2021, it has shown that more and more individuals are seeking less distraction and more clarity.

Creating a larger emphasis on how they use their time and where they put their energy.

The study also showed 40% said they will be more intentional with streaming content to ensure they spend it in the best way possible.

https://storyset.com/illustration/time-management/bro

“59%

are more thoughtful about how they will spend their time since the Covid-19 pandemic”

PUBLIC LIFE LIVING WITH INTENT

There are three main areas of focus within public life that living with intent has its major impacts on; consumerism, the environment and work life.

How one shops, where one shops, what one wears, how one travels, if one has a job, what kind of job one may have, what kind of building one lives in. These are some of many different aspects of someone’s life that is affected through living with intent.

28% online shoppers are influenced by the brands support on social causes

51% said when purchasing they factor in its sustainability

46% consumers still prefer in-person shopping

https://sustainablysimple.co.uk/2020/10/17/a-day-in-daylesford/

SUSTAINABILITY

The living with intent lifestyle involves mass societal changes in how we consume products and items. Living with intent involves an informed thought process behind each decision, with sustainable consumerism being no stranger to this. This change would encourage individuals to collectively change their shopping habits, such as shopping at local stores within their community and purchasing locally produced produce. There would be a return in community markets, shopping local which would encourage a higher community morale. Individuals would purchase clothing from ethical fashion brands and stores which would use local materials and environmentally friendly methods. There also would be a rise in haberdashery stores due to a collective increase in individuals

making and sewing their own clothes. Including an increase in tailors for mending and altering pieces of clothing instead of throwing it away and purchasing something new. There would be a collective view on purchasing more expensive, better quality ‘one-off’ purchases which ensures longevity of the product rather than cheaper, poorly made products which would need to be replaced within a number of short years. An increase in ‘0-waste’ shops in which you bring your own boxes, bags and other packaging would be seen nationwide. Followed suit by café’s or take-aways which would require you to bring your own packaging for your purchases. This would involve things apart from food such as cleaning products and items for hobbies or special activities.

ONLINE SHOPPING MONEY

The impact of the living with intent lifestyle has on individuals relationship with money is very important. There would be a bigger focus on saving and spending money when only necessary. Purchasing products that are a necessity rather than indulgences. A focus on stripping back your life to essentials encourages for better money handling and using your money in more practical ways.

There is a shift from buying cheaper products that would require a replacement in a few short years to purchasing better quality products that would last a lifetime with occasional manual repairing. This also would include a shift from purchasing from nationwide and worldwide brands to local, community led brands, encouraging individuals to give back into their own community. Living with intent would also turn the societal outlook on how ‘money makes the world go round’ to a focus on physical transactions. A shift away in importance of money and a more communal way of living; transactions made through items or actions. Intent would be the new currency.

With an massive societal shift in individuals adopting the living with intent lifestyle, the way one interacts with e-commerce changes. There first would be a change in how one shops online, taking a more mindful approach to e-commerce. Mindful e-commerce is something which would celebrate slowness, engage senses and allow brands to connect on an emotional level with their consumers. Online stores would change their layout to encourage the consumer to question their purchase, slowing down the shopping process to frame such website design around education and customer well-being. These mindfulness shopping habits encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.

There would also be a decrease in over-all online shopping due to a focus on sustainability and local shopping. People prefer to buy instore, the ability to see, touch, smell, hear the product are all crucial elements of the purchasing process. E-commerce is also bad for the environment, thus living with intent would encourage individuals to purchase local and only necessities over needs.

SOURCE: ANA ZAJA PETRAK

30% people are considered to be workaholics

1/2 people struggle to switch off from work on vacation

39% check their emails first thing in the morning

WORK

A trend within the living with intent lifestyle is people rejecting the current “hustle culture” or ‘rat-race’. Living with intent puts more meaning into ones life, thus for someone to work 9-7, 6 days a week, their life would be unfulfilled. Within the living with intent lifestyle, many will reject the toxic workaholic culture and adopt positions of jobs in sectors that bring them joy and have hours that suit them and their needs. The rejection of hustle culture would lead individuals to start their own jobs, encouraging those to rethink what they want from their job, if its to be something that

is fulfilling ors something that is a means for money and that’s it. The rejection of “hustle culture” creates a work day that encourages shorter work weeks, shorter working hours and the ability to be more flexible. The concept of poly-productivity is one which would be encouraged, mixing multiple freelance and/or permanent jobs in order to live a fulfilling life that is filled with intentful decisions. The focus will be shifted from your day centred around work, to your day centred around hobbies, family, rest and personal time.

https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/353321533260800731/?d=t&mt=login

40% lakes in America are too polluted for aquatic life

32% increase in rural home enquiries

100 million people are negatively affected by pollution

https://www.rsnonline.org.uk/are-more-people-looking-to-escape-to-the-countryside

https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-pollution

TRANSPORT

The living with intent lifestyle is one which encourages individuals to rethink simple aspects of their day to day lives. How one travels to and from is an important factor to understand. One would see a decrease in car sales, as individuals are using alternative transport options such as public transport, cycling or walking. Public transport allows for an individual to get to their destination with less carbon footprint, and with the implementation of electric buses and other modes of public transport, traffic pollution would decrease. Public transport also allows for individuals to be more social and also to have

https://weheartit.com/entry/353638040

more time to be mindful about their day.

As there would be an increase in individuals moving out of large, busy cities to quieter, more peaceful and mindful communities in the outskirts or countrysides, there would be less cars in and around the city. There also would be an opportunity for better rail networks and public transport that connects smaller villages and communities together. Another aspect of living with intent in regards to transport is the reduction in individuals working in offices due to them working from home, working in jobs that encourage mindfulness and jobs that reject the 9-5 hustle culture. Large cities become more user friendly.

POLLUTION

As many individuals adopt the living with intent lifestyle, one would find a decrease in pollution worldwide. Individuals are making more responsible and mindful choices, such as shopping local which reduces the demand for the mass importation of goods. Shopping local also encourages for less waste and packaging which is another good aspect for the environment. As living with intent encourages individuals to make more informed and intentful decisions, the rise in sustainability would be monumental. The general health of the public would improve due to a reduction in pollution. Pollution is currently one of the biggest killers in the world, and with a mass reduction of this, many lives would be saved. Cleaner water, cleaner streets, cleaner homes all equate for cleaner lives. Living with intent encourages individuals to make choices that not only positively impact their own lives but also the lives of others. Encouraging positive life choices that create a better community for all.

HOUSING

With a collective adoption of the living with intent lifestyle, many individuals would have rethink their living and housing situations. One would see an increase in individuals living alone in order to reconnect with themselves while others would see an increase in individuals living in larger commune-like situations or living with friends and family. There would be an increase in individuals leaving big, busy cities and relocating to more rural destinations. This would be due to the desire to get back in touch with ones self and reconnect with what really matters. Larger homes, with larger spaces to do hobbies, spend time with family and reconnect with nature would become more popular. There would be an increase in collective housing, similar to current day communes. These

would have individuals share a house(s) and the land surrounding it in return for collective labour and work. This kind of housing is one which would be rewarding both mindfully and physically. What one would also experience is many individuals living with friends or families in order to deepen and strengthen relationships. Another aspect of living with intent is the increase in individuals moving out of traditional homes and into mobile homes. These would be the likes of renovated vans, caravans or simply their cars. As living in such a confined space, it allows for the individual to rethink what they actually need in life and encourages for travelling and living a simpler, more mindful and intentful life.

Living with intents impact on public life is crucial to understanding this particular lifestyle. Living with intent changes how one views their consumerism, where one works, how one works and why one works. The lifestyle encourages individuals to think where they purchase produce, how they manage their money, how they travel to and from. Living with intent changes the structure of society, in a way that benefits each individual through the collective understanding of importance of living life to the fullest.

PRIVATE LIFE LIVING WITH INTENT

There are three main areas of focus within private life that living with intent has its major impacts on;

home life, relationships and nourishment.

How ones home is spaced, how one interacts with technology, how one spends their free time, how one prioritises their time, how one dresses, how one eats, ones relationship with food, what kind of relationships one has, how one takes care of their mental health. These are few of many aspects of someone’s private life that is affected through the changes made by living with intent.

30% of U.S workforce will be working-from-home one or more days a week after the pandemic

$74.32 spent on the average Home Depot sale by 2021, up 10.4% from the year prior

40% want more environmental-design features

https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/pandemic-reveals-demandfor-uk-home-transformations https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/work-at-home-after-covid-19-our-forecast

HOME INTERIOR

The impact of living with intent on home interior as a society, experiences a shift from homes that are messy, dark, unhygienic and unsociable to homes that are designed with cleanliness, socialising, lighting and storage in mind. A shift towards homes that are intentionally built with maximisation of natural light, an abundance of interior space for individuals to engage in hobbies and socialise and are warm, soft and inviting. Living with intent has a focus around creating and nurturing connections, and thus home interior reflects this. The use of conversation pits, conversation rooms and more space for socialising would be encouraged. More calming and neutral colours would be used throughout the home along with softer and warmer lighting, including the use of natural sun light. Stripping back the interior to organic and natural materials, such as wool, wood and stone all create a warmer, stripped back interior. Making intentful choices on how ones interior is to reflect how one lives is crucial in this lifestyle. You would find less clutter, more organisation, less belongings and a focus on owning necessities over wants.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/531354456041742478/

FURNITURE & TECHNOLOGY

Within the living with intent lifestyle, ones use of technology within the home is impacted. You would find very little, to no technology within the home allowing the individual to focus on meaningful activities. Technology would be stored away and not centred in the living room and communal areas in order to encourage communications and deepen connections. The use of landlines are encouraged in order to remove oneself away from being on their mobile phone. Furniture is created around comfort and would be made from sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Furniture would also be made with intent, meaning that pieces may have more than one function, a table with extra storage. Furniture may also be handmade, encouraging the engagement with hobbies and spending time doing something fulfilling. The use of space is also crucial, with the individuals space for plants and added nature in their surroundings.

For an individual to adopt the living with intent lifestyle, one must adapt how they view and use their personal time. Engaging in meaningful and fulfilling hobbies are an important factor in living with intent. An increase in those spending less time working, and more time enjoying their time doing what they love, and an increase in a societal shift of perspective of how we view our relationships with our hobbies follows suit within this lifestyle. More individuals will pick up old hobbies, such as arts and crafts, music, sports, cooking and much more. People putting their mental health first, engaging in activities that bring them joy, comfort and helps them grow. This impacts the individuals outlook on life, bringing them more joy as they engage in activities that they actually want to participate in, instead of working for long hours, most days of the week.

HOBBIES WARDROBE

Living with intent affects what one wears. Sustainable materials, sustainable sourcing, capsule wardrobe, slow-fashion, anti-trend, these are all different aspects of fashion within this particular lifestyle. Living with intent forces one to reconsider what belongings they have, being intentful with their spending and what they wear. It also links into ones hobbies, one may make their own clothing as opposed to buying from shops, one may repair and mend their clothing instead of buying something new and one may buy from sustainable, local and slow fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally friendly.

A focus in wearing what you like simply because you like it rather than following fashion trends. Living with intent forces an individual to contemplate their decisions and attitudes towards how they interact and their relationship with the fashion industry.

4/5 consumers said Covid-19 changed their food habits

60% home owners said they make more home made meals

1/5 consumers reported to making healthier choices

https://www.fooddive.com/news/coronavirus-changed-85-of-consumers-food-habits/579532/

Living with intent would encourage individuals to shop for produce at local stores, supporting their local community and economy. Being intentful with decisions surrounding where one purchases their produce and where such produce is sourced from is an important aspect of this lifestyle. Ensuring to purchase produce that provides a fair wage to farmers, encourages less food waste and promotes the disuse of pesticides and chemicals on fresh produce.

Living with intent also encourages one to grow their own produce, giving back to the earth and can be used as a hobby. Cutting down on food bills, it also is encouraged for less waste, less negative environment affects and is a way to destress and encourage more greenery into ones life.

WASTE

Encouraging to generate less waste, living with intent affects ones impact on the environment. Aiming to generate as little waste as possible, this lifestyle encourages individuals to be intentful with what food they purchase in order to reduce waste. It also encourages individuals to be

creative with food waste. This can be through the implementation of composting, being creative in the kitchen with meals and through the use of batch cooking and meal preparing.

An aspect of waste reduction in the living with intent lifestyle, is shopping at ‘zero-waste’ stores. These stores are expected to grow expediently, encouraging customers to bring their own containers, purchasing exactly the weight of product that they need and encourages for purchasing more locally sourced produce. Buying at local level reduces the mass food waste that we have in the current climate.

Intentful shopping encourages for less waste through a process of planning ahead and better organisation. It is also more money efficient which is a reason for why we predict for the living with intent lifestyle to grow.

DIETS & RELATIONSHIPS

For one to live with intent, their diet would be once of significance. Curating a healthy, nutritious and fulfilling diet, eating only foods with intent. It would encourage more organic eating, healthy eating and well balanced eating. It also may encourage one to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as eating with intent would have social and ethical impacts on their lifestyle. Diets that show an improvement in health would be one which someone living with intent would have.

Living with intent would also encourage a healthy relationship between the individual and their diet. Non-restrictive, healthy boundaries and a healthy relationship with food would be one in which the person in this particular lifestyle would follow. It would encourage the reduction in eating disorders,

heath issues and an overall more positive outlook on food. A shift away from the current idea of “good” and “bad” foods, towards a more accepting and positive idea behind nutrition. Eating would be based around enjoyment and fulfilment; nourishing the soul, mind and body. Eating with intent could also encourage one to try new foods and expand their palate, encouraging themselves and others to try different cultures and ethnicities dishes. However, it also may encourage others to eat a more basic diet, buying only locally sourced produce. The relationship with cooking meals would improve, some through meal preparing and planning. Planning ahead what to eat, with intent in mind, would take away the stress of cooking and deciding what to eat at meal times.

27% said the Covid-19 pandemic improved their relationships

60% said ‘they cared more about their family members feelings’

34% rise in sales of the basic divorce agreement in USA https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201203-why-the-pandemic-is-causing-spikes-in-break-ups-and-divorces \ https://www.verywellmind.com/relationships-during-covid19-survey-5105103

ROMANTIC

How living with intent would impact ones romantic relationships is an important aspect of this lifestyle change. A new focus on choosing a romantic partner that one is not settling for, ignoring ‘red flags’ or believes they can mould them into who they want them to be life. Focusing on ensuring that as an individual, one is happy alone first before they seek a romantic relationship with another individual. Relationships are more intentful, individuals know what they are seeking when entering this connection. A bigger focus on better and more honest communication between the couple is a big aspect within intentfully living as one would not want to waste their precious time.

Within the relationship, better communication, spending more quality time together, a focus on engaged listening and understanding your partner on a deeper, complex level. Intentful living affects relationships in a way that means they are more meaningful and permanent, a societal drift away from the current ‘hook-up’ culture into something that is more intentful.

https://www.pinterest.se/pin/398076054566496561/

FAMILY

https://photos.com/featured/snorkelling-in-malta-slim-aarons.html

Family relationships are very complex, each one entirely different than another. Living with intent would have a new outlook on how an individual would engage with such family. As personal relationships become much more intentful, ones relationship with their family follows suit. A deeper understanding that is collective throughout the family is present, in order to navigate difficult family situations. Spending more quality time with ones parents, siblings and extended family, being more present whilst around individuals and having a growing mutual respect that each member is different; a permanent love that ties them all together is key for living with intent.

As family relationships are much more complex than many may like to admit, is it crucial within the intentful living lifestyle to engage with families in a different way in which they would with themselves and their romantic partners. The use of family therapists would increase in order to maintain a healthy relationship between parents and children, an increase in family activities and home schooling would also increase.

PLATONIC

For one to live with intent, it must impact all areas of their life. An increase in those choosing more intenfuly and mindful platonic relationships (friendships). Individuals would make more conscious decisions on who they spend their time with, engage in meaningful conversations with and who they look to for help and inspiration. A bigger focus on lifting ones friends up, and choosing friendships that serve you in a positive way instead of ones that are toxic and drag one down. Platonic relationships would serve the same as romantic without the sexual element; feeding ones soul with an intention of lifting each other up and deeply caring about one

How living with intent affects ones personal relationship with themselves is a deeply complex topic. How one views themselves would be one of respect and understanding. An acknowledged effort to improve ones mental health, a focus on being kinder to oneself; physically and mentally.

Physically, ones relationship with how they treat their body would be one of caring, nourishing and kindness. A decrease in disordered eating, a rise in self confidence and an acceptance of who you are as an individual. An increase in a healthy relationship with sport an exercise. another.

An enhanced understanding of each individuals personal problems and being there for one another despite this. Friendships that are almost like family. Living with intent also causes one to feel comfortable enough to criticise each other in order for each other to grow. A mutual respect for one another and wanting to see that person blossom, without any regard of jealousy.

Mentally how one would treat their mind intentfully would be making choices that ensure one is happy and content. An increase in self-help, therapy and counselling, an increase in a societal understanding surrounding mental health issues and an increase in individuals being more honest with themselves about their mental health. Individuals would purposefully engage in activities that bring them joy and aid their mental health. A reduced societal stigma around mental health issues also would increase an understanding in workplaces and relationships both romantic and platonic.

PERSONAL

Living with intents impact on ones private life is important to acknowledge. The lifestyle changes how one balances their relationships, how one views themselves, how one presents themselves to the world, how one holds themselves accountable. It changes how one looks after their body, where one lives, where one shops and how one spends their time. Living with intent means making informed and intentful choices for both big and small life decisions. Living with intent adds purpose back into someone’s life and can help one regain a sense of self-worth.

DAY IN THE LIFE

How the average day would look like as someone who has adopted the living with intent lifestyle, does not outwardly look different to the routine of many today in 2022. With a importance on having a good nights sleep, one would have roughly around 9 hours of sleep per night in order to function at their maximum the next day. One would start off their day early at 7am with a 30 minute run (or various exercise) and return home to shower and dress. One would then have a healthy and nutritious breakfast that is filling, followed by mediation and journalling to better ones mental health.

As individuals still have to make money in order to live and survive, an individual would most likely work hours between 9am and 3pm in order to have a healthy, productive day. This would be in a career that is mentally fulfilling and stimulating, working in a job sector that brings that individual joy and purpose.

At around 12pm, one would spend an hour having a healthy and enjoyable lunch. They would also fill that time removing themselves from their work by reading, doing an activity, going on a walk or having a rest.

After work, between the hours of 4pm and 6pm they would engage in

any hobbies or activities that adds purpose to ones life. Living with intent is about making intentful choices, and spending ones free time in an activity that brings them joy or pleasure is a major aspect of that.

A healthy and nutritious dinner would follow suit at around 7pm, made from organic and healthy produce that is both filling and delicious. After dinner, one would then spend quality time with family and friends, deepening connections. Or rather, one may choose to spend their evening alone to relax. Finally at 10pm, one would go to bed in order to start their day refreshed .

Living with intent is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that encourages individuals to reassess their life choices. A lifestyle that encourages individuals to make better life choices. A lifestyle that encourages individuals to focus on the things that count.