In the beginning of 2019, I made my first ever vision board. Every morning when I wake up, it hangs on the wall where I can see it easily as a reminder of what I set out to do this year. So for my first try, how did it go?
I separated my visions into a couple different categories: “Let’s Go!”= travel destinations and events, “Room for Improvement”= hobbies and habits I already have but wanted to improve, “Let’s Try!”= things I haven’t done before, and “Remember…” for affirmations and reminders to keep my mental state strong throughout the year. Let’s go through each category.
Let’s Go!
Lollapalooza Music Festival: aHa off the bat, we’re starting rough. Lolla didn’t happen this year, but for only one reason… I was not going to spend $400+ to see Ariana Grande headline. I had my money ready to go to buy the ticket the day the lineup dropped, and kept my money in my bank account. I’m determined to go 2020, regardless of the lineup.
See the Ocean: The picture on my board is from Venice Beach, CA which I got to visit during my spring break trip to LA. I went during March, so the temperature wasn’t the warmest, but I can now say I’ve seen and been in the Pacific Ocean. On the last day of the trip, I dipped in, wrote some poetry, and reflected. Later that day at LAX, I had to shake sand out of my wallet.
Travel: I wanted to travel in general this year, and I guess I did just that. Besides my California trip, I visited Missouri for a Black Student Government conference and Washington D.C. for an internship trip. The goal was to get out of Minnesota as much as I could, and I’m happy I did.
Somewhere near Adams Morgan, D.C.
Thailand: I may or may not be in Thailand yet by the time you read this, so I guess this worked. When I started college, I knew for a fact I wanted to learn abroad at some point of my college career. As of a year ago, I knew I wanted to go somewhere 1) where I didn’t have family, 2) that has a very different culture and 3) I would have no other reason to visit. The cards fell on Thailand. More blog posts to come during and after this trip!
Room for Improvement
Practicing the guitar and piano more + I wrote my first song in years
More fruits and vegetables- I eat broccoli and blueberries almost every day now
Journaling, poetry, & blogging- Definitely journaled, I took a creative writing class as a Lib Ed so I automatically wrote more poetry, and I honestly didn’t think I’d actually make a blog, but here we are.
Hair care- My hair grew a lot this year, but I didn’t maintain it as much as I would have liked to. I rocked protective styles for really long periods of time and didn’t moisturize + condition like I should have. Growth? Check. Strength? Something to work on next year.
Going to the gym- I had a routine for the second half of the fall semester, but I would like to embed time in my schedule to work out regularly so it becomes routine, not a luxury if I have time. Work in progress.
Reading more books- A definite change I have to make next year. I bought books that I barely started, and now they’re collecting dust on my desk. 2020= way less time on social media and way more time reading.
Let’s Try!
Saving Money- I actually did it! Granted, I was saving for my trip to Thailand so that I wouldn’t have to pay for the whole trip with financial aid, but I saved up thousands of dollars this year with a goal mind.
Videography & Take More Pictures- I wanted to end the year with more visual memories than I have in previous years. I always find myself explaining to people why I like taking pictures and videos, and it’s because people assume you’re self-centered and superficial for wanting a nice picture or a nice Instagram feed. I agree, people can definitely be like that, but for me, this is one new way that I like to express myself and be creative. Check out my instagram to see a glimpse of the pictures of gotten this year. Now that my blog is up, I’ll share many more with you all next year.
manyi_ayuk
Remember…
“You’re Beautiful”- Everyone is insecure about something. I definitely have my insecurities, but 2019 has been a year of growth and self love that I’m very grateful for. In other words, I know.
“Take risks”- Of course a huge risk for me was this blog. Although in retrospect, I don’t know if any of the large things I did this year were “risks”. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I had nothing to lose, whether it was making a website or learning to go out alone.
“Love Yourself Always”- It is the most obvious thing, but I finally registered in my brain this year that I have to live with myself for the rest of my life. This brain, this body, this being. Check.
“Slow Progress is STILL Progress”- I’m hella impatient and have always wanted instant gratification. I’m still working towards believing in time, but I’m surely getting closer to academic, career, and personal goals.
Out of *approx* 16 goals, I did not accomplish 2 at all. That 14/16 which is a B+. That’s satisfactory to me.
I’ve decided vision board work for me as a daily reminder of what I need to work towards. I’ll definitely make a vision board for 2020 and we can do this all over again in a year. Until then.
Carpe Diem – Seize the Day!
Manyi.