This semester has been a particularly busy and hectic one. I have gotten lost amongst the chaos, forgetting why I continue to work long hours and stress about school assignments. As I was feeling more clouded by stress than ever, I began to reflect on why I am doing this all, and for whom. A came across a quote that has really resonated with me:
“Don’t try to rush progress. Remember- a step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Keep believing.” -Kara Goucher
I am here to pass the invaluable information along that everything we do right now is for our futures and ourselves, even though sometimes it may feel like there is no end in sight.
I have spent the last week focusing and reflecting on self care. During the busiest and hardest times in life, I find myself feeling better when I write out my goals, whether they are for that week or for 20 years from now. So this leads me to my latest project, a vision board, that I have already seen the benefits of and hope to encourage others to try it.
Close your eyes and imagine the perfect life for yourself. What do you see?
Now, let’s focus on HOW to get there. Start small, thinking day by day goals, and then get bigger. The goal of this is not to make your life “perfect”, but to help you understand what you may be lacking in life.
Write out a master list of everything that gets you excited, big or small, no matter how random. Think about what makes you happy and what makes your heart skip a beat, in the best way. It is important that your life goals incorporate the little things that make you happy.
A few things from my happy list: photography, writing, people, everything bagels, etc.
Ask yourself: What do you wish you had more time for in your life? Is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to start but haven’t had the time or just never got around to it?
It is time to begin prioritizing ourselves and our self care. Make time for what makes you happy. Get around to beginning your business plans or take more time to journal, whatever it may be, remember- a step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.
List out your goals. Think about:
1) Daily/weekly goals: complimenting strangers, spreading kindness, etc.
2) Short term goals: graduating, saving money, etc.
3) Long term goals: traveling the world, starting your own business, etc.
Reflect on if there is anything you want to change. What have you succeeded in so far? When have you made yourself proud? Use these as building blocks while you consider HOW you are going to turn your life in the direction you want it to go. Think not only about where you want to be physically in the future, but where you want your mindset to be, how you want to grow as a person, reflect on WHO you want to be.
Incorporate quotes into your vision board. Whether you’re religious and have a go-to Bible verse that keeps you sain, or your live-by piece of advice, these are important to include on your vision board so you are reading this everyday. When I discover a quote that is relevant and important to me, I try reading it every single day so it sticks in my head and becomes apart of my thought process.
Gather photos and other pieces that represent and remind you of all the information you have reflected on. Pin it onto a bulletin board or tape it onto your wall. Keep it somewhere that you will see it everyday and make it something that you find pleasing to look at.
USE IT: Use your vision board for motivation and daily inspiration. You were supposed to think of daily goals as well while creating your vision board, so it should be relevant to everyday life. For example, I include blog posts and journaling pictures to encourage and remind me daily to constantly brainstorm new material and to write in my personal journal. I have just began to try our mediation and mindfulness practices so I included that in my vision board as a constant reminder to stick with it.
It is so much easier to make little things habits and to find more motivation among the chaos when you are constantly reminded of the rewards that you will come by from it all.