the importance of intention

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" said Alice. "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. —Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I don’t think the Cheshire Cat was necessarily referring to setting intentions in this part of the story, but when I heard this quote on a podcast a friend shared with me the other day, I wanted to explore it further.

I’ve come to know the importance of intention the hard way—from sitting in one too many plant medicine ceremonies without a clear intention or with way too many. The result…confusion and overwhelm. These experiences, while challenging, have also been gifts because they’ve inspired and encouraged me to learn about setting intentions—why they’re important and how to set them.

In this writing, I’ll be sharing about intention through the lens of microdosing because that’s where it feels most present in my life and the lives of the people I’m supporting in my microdosing practice. But first, I want to share more about how microdosing is being impacted by today’s exploding wellness industry.

According to Bloomberg, the global wellness market was valued at $6.3 trillion in 2023. The Global Wellness Institute expects to reach $9 trillion by 2028. It’s heartbreaking that capitalism has intertwined itself with wellness, healing, and spirituality. Significant harm has already resulted from the rise of wellness trends and the so-called psychedelic revolution.

As microdosing surges into the wellness industry and the commodification and corporatization of psychedelics continue, microdosing and plant medicine are often seen as quick fixes. People are popping capsules or attending a single ceremony and expecting instant results. I understand, life is incredibly hard for so many. People are desperate for support.

I approach microdosing much differently than the mainstream wellness industry wants me to. I believe that when you’re taking microdosing medicine, you’re not just taking a supplement or a superfood; you’re communing with a highly intelligent, sentient being. Microdosing is a relationship, and one that takes time and requires tending.

I spend a lot of time with my microdosing clients on intention setting and tending to their relationship with the medicine. I love sharing the story my medicine teacher tells about driving a car—if you’re microdosing without an intention, the medicine is in the driver's seat; it will take you wherever it wants to go. If you have a clear intention, then you are in the driver's seat and the medicine is in the passenger seat; you’re working together on where you’re going. Intention requires curiosity, focus, self-inquiry, and, when working with medicines, collaboration.

As the Cheshire Cat shares in his conversation with Alice, if you don’t know where you want to go, then which way you go doesn’t matter.

And the process doesn’t stop with setting an intention. Once we have one, we have to regularly revisit it. We have to check in on whether our intentions still feel relevant as time passes, and if they don’t, get curious as to why. We need to set new intentions when they are needed.

Whether you’re

If you’d like to explore setting an intention for yourself, here are some things to sit with and consider:

• I’d encourage you to set a time frame for your intention—do you plan to focus on it for the next season, moon cycle, year, etc.

• Find some quiet, alone time and ask yourself—What do I want to be supported with? What’s challenging in my life right now? What shift(s) do I want to see happen (and what shifts would I notice in my day-to-day)?

• Create a ritual to revisit and tend to your intention—it can be as simple as lighting a candle and sitting with it for a few minutes, or creating an altar that symbolizes your intention, journaling about what shifts you’re experiencing as you live with your intention, going for a walking meditation, or free form movement and dance while tuning into your intention, cooking a meal that represents your intention and sharing it with someone you love. Make it your own; there is no right or wrong way to engage with your intentions.

I hope this writing leaves you with some inspiration. Cheers to our intentions and all the beautiful experiences, people, and places they bring forth in our lives.

1 - Herbal infusions. It’s hot and I’m loving chilled herbal infusions this summer. They’re packed full of minerals and vitamins, and a great way to stay hydrated. My recent favorite herbal combinations are:

• Hibiscus, lemongrass, and butterfly pea flower

• Chamomile, calendula, and rose

• Nettle, milky oat tops or oatstraw, alfalfa, dandelion leaf, and peppermint

Directions:

• Add 4 tablespoons of the dried herbs to a 32 oz mason jar or 6 to 8 tablespoons to a 64 oz mason jar

• Pour cold water over the herbs for the hibiscus and chamomile blends, or boiling water over the herbs for the nettle blend

• Cap the top

• Let it sit overnight on the counter

• In the morning, strain the water from the soaked herbs into a separate mason jar of the same size

• Store in the fridge for up to 48 hours

2 - Monacan Nation Museum. I live on the land of the Monacan peoples and am planning a family trip to the Monacan Nation Museum to learn more about their culture, history, and traditions. I know many of you reading are located in Central Virginia, if you haven’t heard about this opportunity, check it out.

3 - Writing without AI and ChatGPT. I do use ChatGPT occasionally in my part-time nonprofit job, but I have committed myself not to using it in my personal writing and reflections. So I’m proud to say that none of what you’re reading here has been written or edited by AI/ChatGPT.

4 - Initiating new friendships. This week I met an amazing new friend who. I saw a post from her in a random WhatsApp group I’m a part of. I never check messages in this WhatsApp group, and doing so and seeing her message in a sea of so many felt like a sign. So I messaged her, sent her my website and a bit about myself, and asked if she wanted to meet up sometime. She was so excited to get together and connect. It turns out that she only lives 5 minutes from me! She came over to my house this week, brought me a delicious herbal tea she made, and we talked for hours. I sent her home with a big box full of veggies and herbs grown on our land and in our gardens. I can already feel that this will be an incredibly nurturing and supportive friendship for us both. I know sometimes initiating friendships can feel scary, but in my experience, when we dare to do so, beautiful relationships can blossom.

5 - Microdosing. If you’d like to learn more about the microdosing support I’m offering, visit my website to learn more and connect. This practice has truly changed my life, and it’s an honor and privilege to share it with others.

6 - Ceremony. I also have another women’s medicine ceremony happening around the Autumn Equinox this coming September. We’ll be exploring the element of water and working with the energy of flow. It’s such a gift to journey with women and to create and hold these safe and sacred spaces. To be fully witnessed in our wholeness by a circle of women is medicine in and of itself. If you’re not already on my medicine ceremony email list, visit my website to connect and learn more.

With love and gratitude,

Waverly

♡