Setting or Updating Your Intention

What is an intention?

Your intention is your personal "why" — a simple statement of what you want to focus on most for your wellbeing right now. It's not a goal with a deadline, and there's no pressure to get it perfect. It's just a direction: a way of telling Thrive what matters to you, so we can personalize your experience.

When you set an intention, Thrive uses it to personalize the content, Microsteps, and Daily Check-in questions you see — so everything you encounter in the app is working toward something that matters to you.

You can choose from intentions like:

• Sleep through the night
• Have more energy
• Spend more time with loved ones
• Focus better
• Reduce financial stress
• Eat better and move more
• …and more

Setting your intention during onboarding

The first time you open Thrive, you'll be asked to choose an intention as part of getting started. This is one of the first things you do in the app — and it only takes a moment.

Simply tap the intention that feels most relevant to where you are right now. Don't overthink it — you can always change it later.

Updating your intention

Your needs evolve, and your intention can too. You can update it at any time directly from your Home screen.

Look for your current intention displayed as an editable link near the top of your Home screen — for example, "be more active." 

Click the link to open the intention selection screen and choose something new.

Once you tap "Change Intention," you'll see the full list of intentions. Select a new one and your experience — including your recommended Microsteps, articles, and Daily Check-in — will update to reflect your new focus.

Tracking your progress with Thrive Score

Your intention isn't just a starting point — it's something you can actively track over time. Thrive Score measures your progress across the core health behaviors that connect to your intention, giving you a clear picture of how you're doing and where there's room to grow.

In the Insights tab, you'll find a dedicated section showing how your intention area is trending. This helps you see the impact of the Microsteps you're completing and stay motivated as your habits build.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have more than one intention? Not at the moment — Thrive works best when your experience is focused around one intention at a time. That said, many intentions naturally connect to more than one health behavior, so you'll still get well-rounded content.

How often should I update my intention? As often as feels right. Some people set an intention and stick with it for months; others update it as their priorities shift. There's no right cadence — just what works for you.

Will changing my intention affect my Thrive Score history? Your Thrive Score history is preserved when you update your intention. Going forward, your score will reflect your new focus area.