Real Life Wednesday: On Vision Boards.
Hi hi. We’re doing something different on Wednesdays now. It’s been in the works for a few months but since I’m the #illstartonmonday type, 2014 had to begin first! More real stuff. Live it.
If you follow me on instagram, you might have seen me mention that I made a vision board. Oh, and how I used to think they were dumb (semi-truth) but now I’m a bit obsessed. It’s very true. (P.S. a vision board is just a big inspiration board that is covered with magazine cut outs, etc & things you like. Kind of like a non-overwhelming pinterest. I do have an inspiration board on pinterest (it’s my favorite board of all) but it’s mainly just colors, photos and things that inspire me in general.)
Let me back up a minute though – it’s not like I’m against inspiration or anything like that. True story: at the end of 2011, I wrote down a bunch of goals on a sheet of white paper and literally taped it to the wall next to our bed. Some were goals, other were affirmations and just general positive thoughts. I obviously looked at it everyday since it was right near my bed, but eventually it became stuck in my subconscious. If that makes any sense. Sometime near the end of 2012, the tape gave out and the paper fell on the floor. Being the lazy person that I am, I left it there for a few weeks (in my defense I’m pretty sure it fell halfway between the wall and nightstand, so I’d keep forgetting about it until I was totally zonked and couldn’t deal at night) and when I went to finally throw it away that December, I turned to Eddie in utter shock. Literally everything on the list had happened or had become a habit. Everything.
It was nuts. So I firmly believe in writing down goals and stuff. It wasn’t until two weeks ago when I clicked on a link from Facebook and watched a video that I decided I was making a vision board for the first time. Plus, I’m like the magazine hoarder of the century (seriously right now I think I have 12 subscriptions, I LOVE magazines) and this would make excellent use of them.
First though, I have to tell you something embarrassing. Like where I found the link to the video. A few years ago (like 2007 maybe?) when I was competing in fitness, there were tons of girls doing the same who I admired and like a total clueless fangirl, I friended them on facebook. One of them was Lori Harder, who still happens to be on my friends list (if she ever looks at hers she is probably like who the hell is this chick), and made this video. Dude. This video!
It’s long but it’s inspirational. I was sucked in and so motivated by her. THAT is the reason I made the vision board! I’ve since watched the video two more times just to get everything in my brain again.
My vision board this year is mainly focused on positivity. I just… want to be more positive. All around. Everywhere. About everything. It’s simple. I’ve always been a huge worrier (my mom has called me a worry wart from the age of probably seven) and it impacts a lot of my life in many different ways. Sure, lots of it is major first world problems, but you know. I just want to be more positive. So there’s that.
One of the other goals is a really strong focus on my yoga practice, which even ties into the above. When I’m consistent (for me, like 4-5 times per week) I have so much more clarity, sleep so much better, can relax easier, am more positive in general and have less anxiety (be it real or ridiculous) overall. It’s like my mind’s happy place.
Plus it lets me sweat out all the wine.
The rest of my vision board is covered in things like bright kitchens and wacky words like SHOW YOUR SPARKLE in all caps. Not joking.
Because I am 17 years old forever. And ever.
(I also cut things out of magazines like a kindergartener and don’t trim edges.)
The whole vision board thing ties in with the planner that I’ve mentioned a few times now, this one by Whitney English that I am capital O obsessed with. Like, I just don’t even know how I can fully explain my love for this thing.
A lot of you asked for a review of it and while I’m not sure what I can review just yet, I’ll tell you that I love it because it has a whole day on a page.
For a psycho chronic list maker, this is a DREAM.
Oh so dreamy.
That’s not all though. This is super geared towards entrepreneurs and goal setting and consistency and keeping up with your dreams. It blows my mind.
Want to know what I’ve been eating lately? Well. I’ve been riding the avocado toast train nonstop because facebaby’s uncle sent me a MASSIVE box of avocados from California. Best thing ever.
Wait no – here it the best thing ever. I’ve discovered a new combination.
I’m still rolling with the mashed avocado and humbolt fog cheese crumbled on top. But but but now? I drizzled honey over it all. Yes honey.
It’s insane. Everyday.
The other thing we’ve been eating every single night is a simple arugula salad with toasted pine nuts and grated pecorino romano. I make a quick vinaigrette with some red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and olive oil. Shake up in a mason jar, pour a little on the arugula, toss toss toss.
So darn good. Monday night? I ended up eating just a bowl of that. So weird.
I don’t even know me right now.
Can we talk about books for a quick sec? The past two days I read Candace Cameron’s book because you know I have a Full House fixation and kinda love me some DJ Tanner. Eh… don’t really think that book was for me. I was expecting a little more. Or something that was not that. What though… I’m not sure.
I’m thinking of reading two of Rainbow Rowell’s books now – Eleanor & Park and Attachments. Have you read them? Share share share.
Ah! That’s another thing on my vision board. Books. My goal is to read one book per week (loosely) and to read every single day. I get really busy with work and just don’t make time for it. Need = less time in front of a screen. More time in front of paper with type. (the good kind.) If you see me on twitter after 9PM, scream at me. Loudly. In 140 characters.
Sidebar: can I just say that this solar oil is saving my nails/hands right now and this kiehls cream is saving my (very dry) skin? I love my body shop body butter, but if I put it on during the day, it’s near impossible to put on normal clothing afterwards. So sticky.
Now that we’re in the thick of winter (the universe didn’t get my memo of no snow after Christmas), I’m envisioning vacations later in the summer. This is the time of year when I always take a trip down memory lane and go crazy with my pictures from northern Michigan and think about our vaca coming up in August.
But! Um, I fell in love with Nantucket this year. Like, really in love. Like we talk about it all the time. Since we were there for work purposes, we didn’t have too much time on our own. Just a few hours in the early morning and if you remember, it poured rain every single day.
I’m dying to go back so we can really immerse ourselves in the island.
I found a pretty place to stay too.
It was only $28,000 a week. Uh. That’s normal, right? Awesome.
Why do I think I can live like Beyonce?
137 Comments on “Real Life Wednesday: On Vision Boards.”
I loved both books- somehow I missed the hype. The aren’t deep or anything just good reads!
I follow you on Instagram and saw the post about Wed and came right over. So glad I did. I do a vision board every year and since Ihave started yes it all has come true. I have a list now that says BUY PLANNER & UPDATE VISION BOARD. So thanks for your help pushing me to accomplish these things. (ha ha) I love that planner however I am torn on if I want a not up to quality control one. UGHHH decisions decisions. Ive been looking for a good one though one that will truly embrace the entrepreneur in me. I also said I would read more this year. Anyway love the blog and I will be back.
Peace, Joy & Blessings to you!
Wow this was such a joy and a wonderful treat to dig into and read! Thank you for sharing so openly! I can already tell I’m going to love your Wednesday feature! I love the opening story about the white paper list, it just becoming ingrained at a deep level, falling off the wall and then finding it, only to realize everything had happened. So powerful and I love stories like this :)
Being more positive, less worry, more yoga – I think everyone would benefit from those! I know I would. I love how immersed you have become in yoga, too :)
Thank you for being you!
Hi There – I follow you on Pinterst and Instagram … when I saw the post I hopped over to take a look. I needed a distraction from work anyways! I have to say I used to think insperation boards were silly too, but like you I write goals down and the more it stares you in the face, you actually do something. I thought I was the only magazine addict out there! Glad to know someone else shares my guilty pleasure… although they tend to stack up till I need a break from Pinterst to read them. The planner was go beautiful.. I had to take a look, but had already ordered my yearly planner (and wrote all my January goals in it). Your blog is actually an insiration to me as I’m trying to start blogging…it’s been a slow start, but I think if I keep up with it I’ll get better.
BE HAPPY!
That planner is BEAUTIFUL! Love it!
There once was a girl from Nantucket…have you heard this limerick yet
We need to tour all the New England islands before deciding you live Nantucket …..block island is my favorite then Nantucket then the over populated vineyardmp, but they have back door donuts, YOU need to google that one
I agree! Block Island is the best! We got engaged there and go back at least once a year. I cannot wait for Spring to venture back!
Being more positive is one of my goals this year too. Lately I’ve been craving yoga (and sadly ignoring it) so maybe that would help me?
I’m in love with that planner and want it so badly, maybe because of the stripes and the gold? It’s so Kate Spade (which happens to be the planner I’ve used for the last 3 years) so I’m in love.
Vision board. I secretly approve.
Honey. I loudly approve.
I’m too obsessed with your blog for my own good! Love this post!
Eleanor and Park is FANTASTIC
Um, i’m overly excited that you’re doing posts like this. You really are a fabulous blogger and enjoy getting inspired by your posts!
Um I loved this post so much… but how will real life Wednesdays differ from Tuesday things and food and fun recaps each month? I’m confused… thanks!
they are just an extension of those posts, another way that i can share more in depth. i still did tuesday things yesterday – did you find the posts to be too similar?
Nope, the same good fun. Just wondering if there was some new theme that I was missing with the new Wednesday addition. Keep up the great work!
Do you use yogaglo.com? I recently discovered it and it’s seriously changed my life. $18 per month gets you unlimited yoga classes at all skill levels, and various styles…and you don’t even need to leave the house. ;) I’ve practiced every day in 2014 so far!
LOVE rainbow rowell’s books – i’ve read eleanor and park, and fangirl. fangirl was my favorite of the two (hilarious, especially if you know anything about fan fiction LOL), but i also liked eleanor and park (it’s a little emotionally heavy, but i loved the characters) and i plan on reading her other books ASAP.
LOVE Rainbow Rowell! Do it!
I love this real-life Wednesday post! You’ve got me inspired to do more yoga, buy a planner, and eat avocado toast! :)
I really liked Eleanor & Park and am SO glad that it’s getting the hype it deserves. I haven’t read any of her other books but, I have them all on my Kindle. So, I’ll get to it eventually. You won’t be disappointed in reading at least Eleanor & Park though.
LOVE this feature!! Also I love vision boards but haven’t made one in YEARS, thank you for this reminder!
I also live by that khiels cream, and any/everything Khiels for that matter, they can do no wrong. The Abyssine Cream SPF 24 is my daily SPF, not greasy AT ALL and just feels like a luxurious moisturizer, not a heavy SPF on my face. The other plus is it doesn’t burn my eyeballs out when I sweat like a beast.
And I’m so with you on looking forward to vacation right now, especially in this brutal north east winter! My big goal this year though is trying to live in the present so I’m trying to stop myself from wishing for summer tooooo hard :)
Omg I adore these posts already! LOVE your inspiration board. I do the same thing in blank drawing books so I can keep them forever. Love. Also you have to read Attachments. It is so adorable! Cant wait to read more on Wednesdays
If you’re into honey on humboldt fog, you’ve got to try Mike’s Hot Honey. It’s mail order and a little pricey, but it goes with everything. On roasted brussel sprouts, as a glaze for meat, on ice cream, pizza….it is the Batman of condiments.
I’ve not read Rainbow’s novels but LOVED her column when she wrote for the Omaha World-Herald.
Love, love, love. I think I have you beat on the whole worry wart thing (although, you might already know that given our conversations, haha).
You have the best energy! My goal is to channel your dream-big attitude this year.
Uh, hey gurl! I’ve only been reading your blog in the last few months but you are truly hilarious and I’m convinced we should be friends. So… ya know formalities aside PLEASE read Eleanor & Park! I read it. Re-read it. Got the audio book. Then bought the book from Amazon. It’s so good. But I really enjoy YA fiction even though I’m 27. No bigs. I also read Attachments. It wasn’t as good as Eleanor & Park and parts of it annoyed it but it was a good read just as well.
…and then I forgot how to speak English. Annoyed ME not it.
How did I miss your Nantucket post! That little island 30 miles out to sea is most definitely heaven on earth. We just moved off island (and all the way out to northern Wyoming) 11 months ago and I miss it every day. If you can go back for a visit you definitely should.
Honey?! Makes sense I guess … avocado eggrolls typically come with a sweet sauce and are amazeballs. I’m trying it tomorrow.
Annnnd I’m pretty sure I need to get me one’a them planners. Mine’s all jumbled up with way too much stuff packed into the days and spilling onto each other. It’s a cluttered mess. I need a full page. You rock.
The solar oil seriously changed my life. And i hate writing that because it makes me feel incredibly shallow, but I keep some at work, by my bed, and for a period of time in my car until i decided that was a bit dangerous.
I’m listening to Eleanor & Park right now as an audio book, and can’t get enough. I’ve had a hard time describing it to friends, but it’s just lovely and hurty and makes me excited about my commute (which is saying something).
Also – I’ve made three of your recipes in the past 2 weeks, love them and thank you for them!!
ah! so glad you are enjoying them. :)
Jessica, Happy New Year! Glad to reconnect after the holiday’s season.
Your pist touched me a lot. As I just had my birthday, I’m in the process of goal-setting and reflecting. My approach to this has been influenced by Brian Tracy’s books on goals and goal-achieving. Your post introduced me to Tom Rath, I just ordered two of his books to get into the substance from ‘a well-being perspective’. Thank you very much!!
PS. I love the avocado/cheese/honey experiment. My husband called it a
big hit:-) So, it will become a permanent feature of my cooking for a while.
All the best!
let me I just now discovered Tom RathIn the past, I MostvThan
I’m all about the reading more books goal. For a while, I had an alarm on my phone for every day to make me stop and read.
I read Eleanor & Park and loved it and I’m reading Fangirl now. Pretty sure I’m going to like this one more than E&P. And I’ve already downloaded Attachments so I can read that next. I think I’ve found me a favorite author!
Oh man, I have so much to say about this post. I actually read it twice because it was so inspiring for me.
First of all, I love the idea of more life talk. I have no idea how you are so good at it, but you really are. It’s amazing. Second, I am making a vision board and a list of goals for 2014. I have so many and am pretty focused, but I NEED organization and some time to get organized. Lately I have really, really been struggling with lack of time. I have none and trying to balance a crazy work life with family life. Christmas was so hard this year since I had work deadlines that needed to be meet and family in town. It was pretty hard to do it all. I need to step back and take a second to breath and most importantly to organize. As you know I got the day designer (SO excited for it to get here!!!), so I am hoping that changes my world. Do you like the year designer? Do you think it would be a good investment?
Anyway, thank you so much. You are always inspiring me to be better and giving the greatest tips. I am hoping that 2014 is going to be awesome!
okay, i do LOVE the year designer, but it can be a bit overwhelming. for instance, i just spent 7 (yes, 7) straight hours on it today. it is a lot of work. i think that the day designer is really great for goals and branding and what not. the year designer takes it to a whole new level – you talk 10+ year goals and get very in detail. it recommends checking in and spending time on it once a week. if you feel overwhelmed already, this might make it worse. but! i’m betting she will sell them year round and if you decide not to do it now, you could maybe give it a go in june? i think that’s probably what i would do if i was feeling really overwhelmed. :)
i should also add that if you are just talking for blog business stuff, i think the day designer is definitely enough! but if you have other big & diverse outside goals of that, the year designer helps!
It is not so much that I feel overwhelmed, more that I feel unorganized. I am (or used to be) a crazy organized person so being so unorganized it totally stressful and a waste of time. I really, really, need to carve out a couple days to get organize. The planner is hopefully going to be here Saturday, so I cannot wait.
As for the Year designer, I think I will wait on that, It is something I hope to eventually get, but right now things are just a little crazy. Thanks for all the info! :)
Love your new Real Life Wednesday! My boyfriend owns a wonderful b&b in Nantucket – Seven Sea Street Inn. Take a look http://www.sevenseastreetinn.com and come back to Nantucket!
ah!! this is amazing!
I LOVE vision boards! I made one years ago when I was in college but now I just have one on Pinterest. I need to go dig out that board and update it. AND. I need that planner right. now.
This post is so inspirational and right in line with what I need for 2014! I always find your site to give me a laugh and a lil kick in the butt to go catch my dreams! Thanks much!
Lots of stuff there but the one thing that stuck with me was your writing goals down. Years ago I worked for a company that taught business time management skills. The training was all done in conjunction with using a planner. I will never forget some of those lessons I taught but the one that always stuck with me the most (and that I need to do a better job of today, still) is to write it down. Get it out of your head and on a piece of paper. Not only does it allow you to view your plan or goal or whatever and help you keep on task but a real added benefit is that it allows your brain to be free of having to constantly categorize and remember all of those myriad goals and appointments and dates, etc, thus freeing it to be more creative.
We taught people to use a system that kept a ledger of tasks for every day and while I don’t think a ‘system’ is important, I still like lists. At the end of the day I also like the satisfaction of seeing items crossed off that list. We can go days feeling like we’re hamsters on a wheel sometimes; the simple task of making a daily list of objectives and then crossing them off can help to clarify just how much we have accomplished each day; I think that’s important for each of us to feel we have fulfilled a goal on a daily basis.
That being said? Yesterday my goal was to break down a bazillion moving boxes and get them ready for recycling. Crossing that pup off the list was huge. Today it’s all about unpacking booze and categorizing it. Want to come help?
Awesome post to read – totally unexpected for a Wednesday (well, it’s really Thursday, but you know). Just had to say I read Eleanor and Park for our last book club (which usually is just a wine club for me – I rarely read the books, so this was a big deal) and loved it. It takes place in the ’80s during those fab high school years that some of us loved, others would like to forget (I had a love/hate relationship with my high school years). I don’t want to tell you too much, so I’ll just say you need to read it. I do want to slap Eleanor sometimes, though. That’s all I’ll say. Keep up the Real Life Wednesday post – I love it!
love, loved this post! it was exactly what i needed to hear yesterday, so I read it about three more times throughout the day. and I spy that Strengths FInder 2.0… I would love to hear what your top 5 are!
Yes, do read those books by Rainbow Rowell! But don’t forget that there’s Fangirl by her as well. Eleanor and Park is one of my favorite books that I read last year.
Love the new Wednesday posts! I like that the Tuesday posts are more lists + links and this is more in depth. Keep it up, Jessica!
I love this! So excited for Wednesdays now!
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You know, I didn’t love Eleanor and Park. I know people do; I suspect I am a cynic. My reasons here. A very happy new year to you!
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I want to consider my goals for 2014 more like “little projects” instead of an actual goal … I’ve [36] years of experience in saying that I will not stick to an actual new year resolution … this time I want to make fun things .. like having a pen pal / snail mail thing … yean … like in the 80’s-90s’ … when we actually used paper, pens, envelopes and stamps … that kind of ‘old fashion’ thing … Does that means I’m getting old?!?! Anyhoo … another goal is to experiment in the food department … I’m sort of a picky eater so I want to explore new things, including cooking for one (ugh!) and actually learning about food ! the basics … I want to have a diary, for God’s sake! yeah, like the ones we used to do in our teens years!
Oh well, I hope you enjoy your beautiful planner and enjoy making your goals came true … or at least, enjoy trying!
A warm greeting from Puerto Rico!
Love this. And you planner! My Type-A neurotic planning-obsessed soul is lusting for that planner so hard.
Looking forward to more Wednesdays!
Oh, and as for books, I’m currently reading (aside from my ongoing rotation of nutrition journals and other geeky nonfiction) Les Mis and In the Heart of the Sea. The latter, I just found out, is being made into a film starring Chris Hemsworth.
So, yeah. That’s a thing.
I love this post :-)
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I am a huge, huge fan of your blog. But I haven’t really read my faves lately because I’ve been going through some pretty intense personal stuff the past month. I’m working on it pretty much non-stop these days, but decided to take a lazy morning while my son is in school to lounge in my pj’s, catch up on TV, and my blogs. And then I read yours from this day as the second thing and am freaking out. What I have been dealing with is a major increase in anxiety. I, too, am a constant worrier and my anxiety has turned to a sometimes random panic attack. I *think* this may all be related to perimenopause, which makes it more understandable, but still sucks. Anyway, I was just thinking how I need to get back to the old me…and that includes yoga, quiet/meditation time, and reminding myself about being positive throughout the day. Just last night I was thinking I should make a vision board again because I, too, am a magazine hoarder! Seriously. At least 10 subscriptions. Crazy that I just read this all today. Thanks for the inspiration! Now I am going to watch that video you talked about. Well, after Chicago Fire :))
Attachments was adorable. I haven’t read the other yet, but it’s on my nook waiting for me! You should definitely read them.
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