Vision Board Reflections

What came true in 2023 + tips for creating a 2024 Digital Vision Board

As I write this, I am comfortably discombobulated. Like many of my fellow creators, I took some planned time off between Christmas and the beginning of the New Year.

I aimed to fill my days with some of the creative activities I shared in my last post, but instead, ended up with a week-long bout of the flu. It was pretty miserable, but now that it's behind me, I am grateful that the illness forced me to rest in a way I'd never do on my own.

Falling behind or right on track?

When I decided to take time off, I knew it meant entering the new year without footing: I haven't set any goals, created a vision board, set up my planning system, or looked at a calendar. Even before I got sick, I knew I couldn't do both—feel rested AND prepared, and I'm glad I chose rest, even if it means I'm "behind."

Instead, I'm feeling empowered by my personal cadence and want to continue embracing it as we move through the year. The one new year-new me thing I have done is to choose a word of the year, which I'll share next week. It's very in alignment with this philosophy of moving at your own pace.

Coming Soon

This first January 2024 edition of Inspiration Everywhere is free to everyone, but if you've been thinking about upgrading to enjoy the premium version, here's what's on the schedule for upcoming newsletters:

• January 14th: My 2024 Vision Board and Word of the Year Reveal

• January 21st: 24 Things I want to do in 2024 + inspiration to create your own list

• January 28th: How I'm using Notion to organize my life

One Last Look at 2023

Creating a digital vision board is one of my favorite ways to kick off a new year. If you've never made one, I hope that this post might inspire you to do so.

While setting intentions, journaling, and writing daily task lists are powerful tactics to help accomplish your goals, a vision board works in a delightfully elusive way to make your dreams come true.

Before I sit down to create a new board, I love reflecting on last year's visions and recognizing the abundance it brought to my life.

If you don't have an old vision board to reflect upon, you can practice the same kind of gratitude by looking at a list of goals you set last January or by scrolling back in your photos from the beginning of last year to remind yourself where you were.

What came true in 2023?

Love + Marriage

My husband and I celebrated our 15-year wedding anniversary this year, and I imagined it would be a special milestone for us. While it lent itself to many happy moments and celebrations, 2023 also brought significant changes with the addition of weekly work travel, both our families spending more of their time here in Florida, and sadly, losing our sweet kitty Toohey.

While this year was a challenging one, it also strengthened our marriage and made us appreciate one another on a new level.

Home decor

Though we spent so much of this year away from home, I'm proud of the ways we were able to add new touches to make our house more beautiful this year, including adding rugs and lighting to my home office, hiring new landscapers, putting plants on our front porch, hanging a gallery wall in our great room, and upgrading our Christmas tree.

Time

I turned 40 years old in June, and honestly (thanks society) it has felt like a bit of a ticking time bomb. Though I'm still grappling with aging, the passing of time propelled me to join a writing group and stay serious about finishing my book. I've also poured a lot of my anxieties about being out of time into the main character in the story I'm writing. It has been cathartic, and hopefully, others will feel the same when they read it.

Time also showed up in a fun way this year through Back to the Future! My favorite Film to Table episode of the year was the one in which we discussed Back to the Future. I also fell in love with the cast recording and got to see the musical production when we were in London in September.

Sharing Meals

Lots of family visits meant many special moments around the table this year. It's also the year that I oddly got really into olives: eating them (my uncle Hugo makes the best ones!), incorporating them into meals (this recipe especially), and drinking dirty martinis.

Personal Care

Of all my aims for 2023, this is the area in which I feel I was most successful, and with all of the stress that came my way this year, it's probably the thing that kept me from completely falling apart.

The highlights:

• I mastered a simple, easy makeup routine using Nars and Ilia products.

• I started getting quarterly hydrafacials (and can now say that I have my own aesthetician).

• Mom got me a luxurious new bathrobe for my birthday.

• I made a few visits to the dermatologist.

• Splurged on some new skincare serums.

Step up to the Mic

This was kind of a vague inclusion, but one of my favorite shows, Mrs. Maisel, aired its final episode this year, and over its run, I've looked up to Midge as a fictional role model. My thought was that by including it, I'd be inspired to step up to the mic.

While I don't feel like I've particularly excelled in that area (nor fully embodied my word of the year, "audacity"), I'm proud of the way my podcasts have evolved in the last year and am excited about what we're starting to plan for 2024.

Storytelling

I didn't put too much thought behind selecting this image—I just liked the vibe. While I didn't do as much reading as I have in past years, between podcasting, creating YouTube videos, writing my book, and writing on Substack, I've strengthened my storytelling skills and would love to continue honing my craft in 2024.

Quote

In years past, I'd been averse to including typographic quotes or inspirational sayings on my vision boards, but for whatever reason, this graphic spoke to me. Its front-and-center placement meant my eye always drew to it first, and it ended up being a great source of comfort, especially in the latter half of the year when things felt most challenging.

Fancy Ladies

I chose this image with my sisters in mind, especially knowing that we had a lot of fun events planned in preparation for Laura's October wedding. It served as a great reminder to check in with them throughout the year and also helped me to appreciate the precious moments we got to spend together, notably at Laura's bachelorette party, where the four of us shared a room for the first time in over twenty years.

Answer the Call

I was attracted to this image because I love old-fashioned things, but the phrase that came to mind in association with it was: answer the call. Like the Mrs. Maisel image, I aimed to position myself to receive opportunities and give enthusiastic yeses in the right places.

I can't pinpoint any notable "answer the call" moments from 2023, so I'm interpreting the outcome of this image in a different way.

Without fail, my vision boards always surprise me with a fun revelation, and this year, it came through this image. I can't help but notice the similarities between the phone on my vision board and the phone that sat on the bedside table at The Nomad where we stayed in London.

When I created my 2023 vision board, I'd never heard of The Nomad. When it came on my radar, I thought it was too expensive and too out of reach—but we made it happen, and it quickly became my favorite hotel.

My new interpretation of answering the call means honoring the things you want and believing you're worthy of receiving it.

Keeping it together

Chin up, stay balanced, and enjoy a martini or two were all the thoughts behind this fun image at the bottom of my vision board. I feel I did a solid job of all three, but mostly, whenever I spotted that image, it reminded me not to take things too seriously.

The Cotswolds

It was my hope that we'd get to spend our 15-year wedding anniversary in the UK, but ultimately, we decided to put the Cotswolds portion of the trip on hold. I was a little bummed, but we ended up having so much fun in London, I was barely missing it, until...

We ventured to an adorable venue called Mr. Fogg's Gin Parlour to grab a drink before seeing Back to the Future, and we were seated next to a nice couple who were also there to enjoy a pre-show cocktail.

We got to chatting and learned that they were UK natives but lived outside of London. When we asked what they did, they handed us their business card: "We own an Inn in the Cotswolds. Please do come and visit us on your next stay!"

😮✨😭

I immediately thought of the image of the Cotswolds on my vision board and the magical ways that it delivers surprises—if we are open to receiving them.

---

Creating Your Own 2024 Digital Vision Board

In years past, I've shared kits and guides, but I thought I'd give you an abbreviated version, so you can spend less time prepping and more time on your board.

1. Carve out a sacred space and time. Make your vision board creating environment a special one: drink your favorite beverage, dress up, play music you love, and you may even want to share the experience with a friend or family member.

2. Make a list of some of the things you'd love to do and experience in 2024. These can be goals, trips, activities, habits, or a feeling.

3. Search sites like Pinterest, Unsplash, Pixels, Tumblr, and Google, and save a folder of images that speak to you. Don't be afraid to go off-script and choose purely on feeling, even if it doesn't match up with your list of goals.

4. Select your favorite images and upload them to Canva where you'll find a bunch of different templates to choose from—or you can create your own! I love creating versions for my desktop and one for my phone. Save and add as your wallpaper!

💬 Did you create a vision board in 2023? Share one special thing that came true for you as a result.

---

✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. What was the best thing to come true for you in 2023?

2. What surprised you most in 2023?

3. Host a solo or group vision board party and craft your vision for the new year!

---

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. I recommitted to a daily writing habit and am off to a strong start.

2. I watched Wes Anderson's most recent film, Asteroid City, and enjoyed it immensely. It has propelled me to explore some of the other movies in his catalog that I've not yet seen.

3. I bought myself a pair of new sneakers and crushed my first cardio workout of the year. I'm still making my way through the previous series, but my favorite, free workout channel from Heather Robertson just kicked off a new one if you're looking to add exercise to your routine.

4. We made fresh juice from oranges picked off of my in-laws' tree here in Florida, and it was absolutely delicious.

5. I was dreading taking down Christmas decorations, but it ended up taking no time at all. I treated myself to Chinese Food afterward and enjoyed eating it in a nice clean space.

---

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

✨ Question of the week: What was the best thing you read or watched over holiday break?

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!