Easing Into 2018: Creating Your Vision

The cracking sound a new notebook makes the first time you open it.

The overwhelming giddiness you feel during a first kiss.

The tingle in your palm the moment someone hands you the key to a new home or apartment.

First times. Fresh starts.

I don’t know about you, but I love them.

I could barely sleep the night before the first day of school–no matter how old I got. Even in high school, I would decide on my outfit days before and wonder which friends would be in my classes.

I couldn’t wait to break in my college-ruled composition notebooks, mechanical pencils, highlighters and textbooks.

I adore beginnings.

So, it’s probably not a surprise that I get starry-eyed over January 1st.

I look at it as a way to clear the clutter of the past year and move forward.

We all know it’s just another day, but for many of us, it holds a bit of magic. It gives us the chance the wipe the past clean and start anew. And, I’m all about that sentiment.

In December and the first couple of weeks in January, I ease into the new year.

I embrace this fresh start by reviewing the past year, daydreaming about my future and planning for the upcoming year.

This year I created a Pinterest board that represents my vision for 2018 in images. (It was a suggestion in my Powersheets planner by Lara Casey which I also luuuuuurve.)

It was fun, helped me figure a few things out that I was still on the fence about and is something I plan on revisiting regularly to remind myself what I want my year to look like.

I’m sharing this exercise, because I think you should do it.

It’s great for visual learners. It’s great for creatives. It’s great for anyone who’s behind on goal setting for 2018 and needs an easy and fun way to do it.

Here’s where you can check out my board (so you can see an example).

And, here are some questions to answer to get you started in searching for images on Pinterest for your 2018 vision board:

1. What are your goals or resolutions?

Search for the visual version of your goal and pin images that resemble it.

Dream of a decluttered closet? Pin some images of the best minimal wardrobe you can find.

Set a goal of reading 100 books? Find an image of lovely bookshelves and another of a woman reading in a cafe.

You should find at least a couple images for each goal or resolution you’ve set.

2. Do you have a word of the year?

If so, put it in the search and see what comes up. Do any of those images stand out to you?

3. What do you want more of in your life?

Doggie snuggles, s’mores by the fireplace, vodka martinis, beach vacations, romantic moments.

Find those images and add them to your board.

4. What do you want to learn in 2018?

Do you watch YouTube tutorials on hand lettering? Find some images containing hand lettering that you’re inspired by to pin on your board.

If you know you want to learn how to rock climb, pin a fierce looking picture of someone rock climbing.

Whether this is the year you want to master the casual yet sexy messy bun or figure out how to bake a five-layer cake, your vision board is a great place for all your daydreams.

5. What else do you have planned for 2018?

Is 2018 going to be the year that you finally reach out to the friend you lost touch with after college? Pin a photo that represents friendship.

Or, maybe you already know that you want to dress up as Hermione Granger for Halloween. Pin away. (And, invite me to your Halloween party pleeeeease! I make a killer chocolate cake shooter. Seriously…I used to be a bartender.)

These questions will help you to start searching, but once you start, you’ll find you can easily find a lot more!

I hope you take an hour or two to create your own 2018 vision board on Pinterest.

If you do, share the link in the comments below! I would love to check it out.