So I haven’t been exactly following all the prompts in the #JustJoJan series this year. I hope you are understanding. (Thanks Kim).
I am choosing to write about the vision cards I made for this year. My main themes are the same as last year but I’ve used some different wording and the pictures are different.
I really love putting together these cards and going through the magazines and pulling the pictures that speak to me about each area. On the back I have written some of the things I’d like to accomplish this year and by doing so it gives me some direction but also takes the pressure off around the whole “resolutions” thing that happens every January. If I make a list of 5 or 10 things on each card and I get 3 or more done then I consider it a win. When I look at them again in June as I do, if there are some areas that have not gotten as much attention, I know what to focus on for the next six months.
Some folks have more focus areas but I think these about cover most of my everyday life so that’s what I’ve been using. I think I’ve been making these for almost 10 years now and I first got the idea from Jamie Ridler, who is a really great guide for helping you get in touch with yourself and what you want to make with your life. She is also the creator of the Studio Yearbook that I use each season. We are in the Winter one now and it is very helpful for transitioning from one year to the next.
Obviously I am not a great artist, but having the “image” section nudges me to give it a shot. Looking at that, I can clearly remember the night I watched “The Birds” in the studio while I was creating. Similarly, I don’t fill in every box every day, sometimes just choosing a picture like the one of our family Christmas to show what was happening on that day. Still can’t believe that less than a month after that picture was taken mom is gone. Yet I clearly remember that this was the best picture that we took that day because my son said something that made us all smile. Can’t even remember what it was now but we definitely all look happy. Around the circle in the “You” page I wrote a bunch of questions that start with “Tell me why…” like, Tell me why not? Tell me why it’s hard? Tell me why you don’t? Tell me why you feel it.” Etc. I know that kind of stuff is not for everyone but I think it helps me remain grounded and purposeful with the things that I do. We only have one life and I’d like to live the best one I can.
How about you guys? Do you think something like vision cards are easier than making resolutions? Like to collage and play with crayons? Think it’s all a bunch of hokey? Tell me why!
Janet's Smiles 
Pingback: Just Jot January – 2023 | Janet's Smiles
I’m like Ally, more of a words than pictures girl, and I’m going to make time to re-do my inspiration board. It’s to the right of my desk and I feel it needs a good tweaking. I’ll have a think about doing a blog post when it’s done if I feel I’ve achieved what I was hoping for (I don’t feel that way about the current one). Thanks, your post has given me just the nudge I needed to push this up my to-do list! 🙂
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I think that vision boards are meant to be tweaked every so often, or even a new one created each year as I do with the vision cards. Sometimes the desires change and sometimes they stay the same but need adjusting. Go for it!
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Vision Cards! Genius! Like a vision board but organized by theme, an mobile, you can carry them around in your purseI love it 🙂
While I’m not sure if they are more effective than simple resolutions, they’re fun to make and look pretty! Visualizing one’s goals is always valuable.
You’re so right, we only have one life and we owe it to ourselves to make it a good one!
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Thanks Tamara. Even if I don’t really look at them every day, just by making them I’m setting the intentions out there.
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When setting intentions I prefer words to images. Not that I don’t mess around with images, but if I want to really remember something I remember back to words not pictures.
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I get that! In fact sometimes it is harder for me to find the images than it is the words.
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There’s something so nice about writing things out and drawing on paper. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I agree!
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💗
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I have an inspiration board which (I hope) is large enough to cover it all and I’ve been thinking I’d really like to make time to re-do it. I especially want some new images as most of the ones I have didn’t resonate as much as the words I chose.
I love that photo of you at all Christmas in your matching PJs – a lovely memory to keep.
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Thanks Deb. Sorry about the comments getting lost. Appreciate you continuing to come by!
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No problem Janet, I just assumed WPress was up to its old tricks 🙂 Right now, it’s refusing to let me like your reply!
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Resolutions have never worked for me! Oh well… 😂
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Yeah, I definitely prefer the idea of goals.
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I’m not familiar with vision cards, but yours look amazing. I have things I want to accomplish this year, like going through the old photo albums, unpacking boxes in the guest room closet and redoing my son’s quilt I made him when he went off to college. I wonder if vision cards would help those specific tasks, or if they fall under organize and connect?
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You know I think that vision cards can be a lot of things, including kind of to do lists.
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