I’ve pondered why I have been so reluctant to come to my computer and write something in this space so far this year, I’m yet to find an answer. One of the things I’m working on releasing is, the wanting to ‘know’. I find in always searching for answers, I miss a lot that could ironically answer my questions. It also fills my mind with mental chatter that I could honestly do without (I’m a mental chatter kind of person).
If I were being honest, I entered this year quite depleted and exhausted. Our girls had chickenpox over Christmas and New Year, as well as a very stubborn cough, (which I had too). This combined with many drizzly days and Richard working as usual, led us into January on rather low energy.
We are all back to full health now, and we’ve been blessed with a handful of winter-sunshine days which we have soaked up like you wouldn’t believe. Looking back, there was a gentleness to our festive season which usually gets lost in all the celebrating and gathering with a wider group. We spent long slow days, colouring in together and drinking hot drinks, something which at the time made us feel we were missing out, but now days are getting busier, I appreciate the stillness that I took for granted then.
On the new moon in January, I gathered with my women’s group and we created vision boards for our year ahead. This is where you get old magazines, post cards, newspapers etc and cut out what speaks to you, creating a collage of visions which you want in your year. This can actually be done at any time of the year, and can even be specific to certain dreams/visions (we made one when we were manifesting our campervan).
Above is how my vision board turned out, no planning went into it ahead of time. I had no pre-set idea of what I wanted this year. But what unfolded was something which now really means a lot to me and is up on display in my office, as a daily reminder for what’s important to me to focus on and give my energy to.
*At the centre I placed an angel which looks as though she is sprinkling stars out, giving them away. This is a focal point for me this year, to give to others. I want to gift people my time, my energy, my thoughts… I want to serve my wider community as much as I can. I’ve found the more I help others, the happier I am. (Despite the self-care industry telling me otherwise!)
*Going clockwise I found the 2 swans leaning towards each other, symbolising Rich and I doing this dance we call life, together. Things get hard, but when you can dance, metaphorically (and physically), with your life partner, everything is a little sweeter.
*The very small images next to that is a penguin with its baby, reminding me to keep my little ones close and even though they grow what feels like inches everyday(!) they still need my warmth and protection.
*The other small image is a group of women in the woods singing around a fire, and this is something every woman needs…their very own women’s circle. A healing, connecting space to return to their true selves, their wild woman. So more of that in 2022 please!
*A peace dove as a reminder that there is always a peaceful way.
*The images of a house interior are a reminder to me that there’s so much beauty in staying home, in slowing down and enjoying doing nothing. Some of my favourite days are caring for my sacred shelter, opening the windows, brushing the floors, welcoming the sunshine and fresh air into my home as we be rebellious protestors and live as slowly and simply as we can. My girls are currently going through a stage where they too want to just be home, with no plan. Maybe the chickenpox Christmas was a blessing in disguise because we certainly found our groove.
*The girl on the horse is to remind me the power of rest.
*The image out of a child’s book is symbolic of how important books are in our lives, we must read 15-20 children’s books a day! There’s also a gorgeous quote that says ‘Let’s all enjoy the world today, climb the trees and breathe the air, let’s all enjoy the world, because tomorrow could be very different’.
*If four silly giraffes pulling faces aren’t representative of my family, I don’t know what is! And the word PLAYFUL…yes please! I want to play more.
*The woman in red, with the belt around her womb area is a huge thing for me this year. Delving even deeper into natural womb health, honouring my monthly bleed, connecting to my hormone health, my moon cycle…this journey I’m on is fascinating and so EMPOWERING. It deserves it’s own post…soon.
*The butterfly jumped out at me and immediately made me sing the lyrics to Xavier Rudd’s song, Butterfly, which I carry very fondly in my heart. This song always comes to me when I am feeling heavy, and it immediately reminds me that I too, can fly high, can experience that feeling of weightlessness.
*The clothes images were from a gorgeous ethical brand I came across whilst flicking through magazines and it reminded me how luxurious it can feel to wear clothes that make you look and feel good. Honouring my inner feminine and her desire to be decorated and adorned.
*Lastly, would any vision board of mine be complete without food?! A jar of kraut because fermenting is such a JOY of mine and that stew and bread is symbolic of having people around my table, eating with me and THAT is happiness to me.
I didn’t plan on explaining so in-depth what’s on my vision board but I suppose it will allow you to get an insight into who I am and what I am aiming for this year. How about you? Have you set visions for the year ahead? Resolutions and goals can be failed, it’s a tough way to enter a year, with so many strict boundaries. I find vision boards to be much more gentle and even more realistic. It’s a visual representation of what you would like, in time. It’s flexible and gently helps you manifest your future.
It’s a great activity to do with children too, give them no guidance other than ‘cut out and stick on here what you enjoy and want more of this year’…you might learn something new about them.
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