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If you missed the announcement, I will be hosting a vision board party with Attilah of PUSH Paper Co on January 28, 2022 at 8:00 PM EST. It is our monthly book club meeting, where we will discuss what we are saying Yes to this year. You see, we are reading Year of Yes by Shonda Rimes to kickstart the year. You still have time to read it if you’re interested.
We never stick strictly to the text we read, but more to the topics in the books and conversations they spark. This month will be no different. We want to start the year as optimistic as possible, declaring what we want from the year. We’re encouraging you to do the same.
A vision board is supposed to spark a type of visual manifestation with the idea that seeing the things you desire regularly will inspire you to get them. In some way, you’re manipulating your psyche, pumping it with curated content.
You know how, if you text, email, search (or sometimes it feels like think) of something you want online the ads just start to populate? You innocently search the distance between Paris and Greece to win a bet, and then you’re seeing ads for villas in Santorini. You open Amazon and there’s luggage on the front page, asking if you’re going on a trip soon.
A vision board is plugging data into your mental algorithm. Focusing your thoughts. Ahead of our vision board party, I want to challenge you to brainstorm things you want to: expense, experience, and embody in 2022. I warn you, once you open the floodgates to these ideas, you might not think of anything instantly. But wait until you’re trying to do something else. Like, sleep. Then, the ideas will rush in. So, keep a notebook nearby or note on your phone you can continue to add to. For a bit of extra help, here are some examples of how to do this.
Expense
These are purchases you want to make. Things you want to buy. Not trips, but purses, homes, computers. That type of thing. I’ll get into this later in the week when I write about dreamscaping, but budget is not important in this. In fact, throw out that mental calculator in your mind. Shut up that voice that snickers when you whisper you want to buy a $60,000 car. It’s not about what you can afford. It’s about what you want. Just start listing them. No rules. No limitations. What expenses (purchases) do you wish you could incur in 2022?
For me (so far), I’m thinking a pink iMac, a new wardrobe, a hammock somewhere (I don’t have space for it, so that’s a thing), an iPad and pencil. I’m still adding to this list. I feel like a child asked what they want for Christmas. All year, I’m constantly wanting stuff, then when it’s time to make requests, I’m thinking about pajamas. I need to think big!
Experience
These are the things you want to do, the places you want to see, the foods you want to eat, the people you want to visit. Again, no limitations. No budgets. Nothing is off limits. In my dreamscaping post, I’ll challenge you to research the cost of things. For now, just list them. What do you want to do this year?
For me (so far), I want to visit my family in the states. It’s been a really long time. I’m way overdue for a visit, and I try to avoid cold weather. So, I’ve got about a 4-month window to make it happen. I want to have a celebration for my tenth wedding anniversary. Not sure what yet, but I want to do something. I’m also celebrating my 35th birthday, so that needs to be an experience. I want to write and publish a book (if that’s on your list, too – consider joining my writing mentorship).
I want to take a vacation with Jarrell. I was thinking we would go away to a new destination for a month, then the oldness crept in. I was searching for apartments in random destinations online. Sidebar, Bali will spoil you. Of course, the price won’t be the same, that much should be assumed. Things are way less expensive here. But, also the luxe level just is not the same everywhere, even if you increase the budget. You’re not finding a place with the amount of space and high-end finishes Bali villas are known for in a European city center. Blah. Anyways, I was looking at places online and that realistic thinking started to creep in. Not about cost, but time. A month is a long time. I sometimes can’t believe my life was once constantly staying on the go, hopping from one place to another. Because the idea now feels… tiresome. Don’t be like me. Dream big and stay young at heart.
Embody
This one is kind of the most difficult to me. It’s the only one that can’t be achieved with money. I love problems that can be fixed with money. Even if I can’t afford it, I know there’s a price associated. But how do you get discipline? That never goes on clearance.
For this section, list five characteristics or ideas you want to embody. Think of the way you want to describe your year, the goals you want to achieve and what they’ll take. Think of who you want to be.
For me (so far), that’s discipline. I want to make some big changes, which require me to dedicate myself to change. Hence, my starting 75-Hard (to jumpstart my fitness/weight-loss journey) and daily publishing (to keep writing as a top priority).
As we approach the vision board party, try to list five things in each of these categories. For the vision board, you will search for images, words, quotes, or even people that represent each desire. Then, you’ll add them physically, with scissors and tape or digitally with a few clicks. Once finished, you’ll display the final product in prominent position so that you regularly see what you want. Let the algorithm do the rest.
