Focusing on myself this year, means that I work on my well-being and my development. Thirteen days into the year and I’m happy to report that I’m taking steps to work on making my life easier and more stress-free. Today, I’m happily stealing this idea from Pat Doyle of Retirement Transition and sharing my 20 for 2020 list.
My Vision Board For 2020
Inspired by Jennifer of Unfold and Begin and reading Christine Kane’s website, I decided that I’d work on a vision board this year. I spent two happy hours yesterday creating this, believing that the vision board is a step further towards my own development.
When you take time to align with your deeper self, you are far more able to manifest your authentic desires with total effortlessness.
Christine Kane
My 20 for 2020 List
My list is further breaking down what Metta will mean for me in 2020.
- Start the day with Morning Pages. I’ve realized that this is vital to my well-being.
- An hour long morning walk. I’ve started to enjoy walking although, I still need to tackle my resistance to getting out for it every day. Once I’m out I’m fine. I enjoy taking pictures too on the way – mindful photography!
- Eat a lot of fruit and raw veggies. I love both, so it’s not a big deal. The only thing is to make sure we’re stocking enough at home.
- Cook a lot more at home. Since it’s only the two of us, sometimes it’s so tempting to order in rather than take the trouble of cooking. But we’ve resolved to eat outside food only when we actually go to a restaurant – maybe, once a month. I’ve been trying out new recipes and so far tomato shorbha (spicy soup), beetroot soup, a new kind of chole (chickpeas) have made their way to our table.
- Regular massages. We’ve finally managed to find a good place to get Kerala Ayurveda massages and I can already see the benefits of these massages.
- Drink more water. Making sure I keep drinking water through the day. The first thing I do at work these days is to fill up my glass. Also making sure I drink water at night too.
- Have a leisurely bath at night. Both José and I are the two bath kind of people. One bath in the morning before work and one at night. I used to have one before dinner, but now I do all the dishes, then have a nice leisurely bath before bed. I throw in a few drops of lavender oil into my bath water and it really helps me to sleep better.
- Work fewer hours. I try to get to the studio between 10.00 and 10.30 am and I head back home for lunch by 1.30 pm. Now I’ve decided that I don’t come back post lunch. I spend the afternoon at home reading and commenting on blogs, doing some chores, walking the dogs, cooking or doing some fun things like napping, reading, watching a movie.
- Maintain my bullet journal. I tend to start this out well but lose steam in the middle of the year. This year, I’ve made my journal even more user friendly and am regularly updating it.
- Do more personal development/ journalling exercises. As part of my personal development plan I have a lot of introspective exercise that I want to go through. I’ve marked out a separate journal for this and want to do them in a more organized way.
- Do more fun things. Sometimes we get so caught up with work that we don’t realize fun has to be scheduled too. I’ve created a ‘fun page’ in my Bujo to list out all these activities. A visit to an exhibition, the zoo (I haven’t been for years), perhaps a jigsaw puzzle….Any suggestions you have are welcome!
- A weekly Artist Date. I plan to have a date with myself every week. A time set apart to do something mindfully – to explore my own creativity. The first week, I tried out a new recipe and the second week, I created my vision board.
- Connect / Re-connect more. I plan to connect in a deeper way with people offline, which sometimes includes long phone calls (something I’m not too fond of). I’m looking forward to meeting a group of old colleagues.
- Blog with purpose. It’s sometimes easy to forget why I started blogging. I got carried away for a few years. Now I’m getting back to writing more meaningfully.
- Speak up. To use my voice – written or otherwise – to speak up and speak out. Not to shy away from uncomfortable topics or be afraid that I might offend someone with my writing.
- Take better care of my health. While walking regularly and eating healthy have already been listed, I tend to put off doctor’s visits! I need to get better at this. Prevention is better than cure, after all! 😉
- Create more. I’ll be writing more about this on The Frangipani Creative.
- Start respecting money. Money and I don’t have the best of relationships. This is an area I need to work on. I actually put ‘make more money’ in my Vision Board. That’s a first for me.
- Read more mindfully. For the first time in many years, I’ve not registered for any book reading challenge. I’m reading books – but making better choices about the books I read. Also, I’m consciously not staying up late to read.
- Be me. To be more authentic in my relationships. More honest with myself. And to enjoy being the woman I am.
This year, I’m following this advice:
You can’t be committed to your bullshit and to your growth. It’s one or the other.
Scott Stabile
Get Jennifer’s book – to create your own vision board:
Thank you for sharing! I like your 20 for 2020 list. It’s inspiring me to create one.
Thanks for the inspiration for the Vision Board, Jennifer. I enjoyed doing the 20 list!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..My Word of The Year for 2020
Definitely with you on taking more pictures, maybe I should do more walking too, the two go hand in hand really!
https://thestevensonlife.co.uk/2020/01/13/rediscovering-old-hobbies/
I love your pictures, Mark. You should definitely take more!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..My 20 for 2020 List
I loved this 20 for 2020 list you made, Corinne! It’s so complete in every way. It ensures you look after your health, holistically!
It’s also given me an idea to make my own 20 for 2020, so tomorrow I am going to work on my vision board. I have written a few things in my diary but will need to make it neater, and add to those few things that need my attention.
Thank you for this wonderful idea!
Have you read The Artist’s Way? It’s where I came across ‘dates with the artist in you’. 🙂
Glad you liked this, Shilpa. I’m trying to ensure that I keep myself accountable! Looking forward to reading your list too.
Yes, I’ve read the Artist’s Way several years ago. It was a life-changing book for me.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..My Word of The Year for 2020
Corinne, thanks for the link! I LOVE your 20 for 2020 and might steal a few things for my to-do list. I’m a strong believer in morning pages also. And yes, I have a daily bullet journal… kinda. But your ideas on fun & creativity … I’m definitely going to steal them.
You’re very welcome to the link to idea stealing, Patricia. After all, you sparked this off with your post! 🙂
Thank you Corinne. I love this list. Mine is a lot shorter than 20.
Ah! I’ve tried to make mine as doable as possible, Adela.
Love the list of things you want to do for the year. Having spoken to you a few things, I know you will bring in calm and focus back in your life this year. A vision board is a great tool too. We used it at work once in a training and I was surprised at the outcome 🙂
All the best, Corinne!
Parul Thakur recently posted..Blind men and an elephant
Thanks, Parul.
I found a few similarities while going through your list and it gave me a good feeling. I do not like making telephone calls and I largely prefer treating myself because calling up the GP, fixing up the appointment and then visiting the doctor is a big deal package for me. I do not visit a doctor until I hit the wall. I know it is not a good idea. Also, to keep in mind the intention why I started writing and blogging in the first place. I expanded too much or tried to in the last year which didn’t go on for a long time. Thank you for this post, Corinne, as this tells me to put together ways and means to work on improving my habit of complaining. Just the intent and the statement won’t be sufficient to bring a long-term change.
Anamika Agnihotri recently posted..The Questions – Some easy, some tough #MondayMusings
I hope you find it a useful exercise to do too, Anamika. I’m using it as a reminder to myself!
This a great list! I may borrow some of these. And I need to finish my vision board!
You’re welcome to any ideas, Lauren. Good luck with your vision board.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Deconstructing Anxiety
Nice to catch up with you again, Corinne!
Same here, Margaretha.
Breaking your larger goal into doable and neat actions is so wonderful. Love this 20 for 2020 list of yours, Corinne. I am definitely borrowing this post idea. Thanks 🙂
Yes, it makes it simpler, doesn’t it? You’re most welcome to the idea – I borrowed it too!
Loved this list of 20 things. I like how a lot of these things align with your word of the year. Your mood board looks lovely.
Reema D’Souza recently posted..The Walk #WednesdayVerses
Thanks, Reema. I enjoyed listing this out.
I love this idea, of a list of things to focus on for the year. Except for the fact that I love to break rules, even when I make them. Yeah, rebel without a cause is me. But, I’m still going to give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration, Corinne!
Modern Gypsy recently posted..Art journal flip through: 2019
Oh, I’m a rule breaker too. But this year, I’m trying to be good! 😉
Hi Corinne, I love that final quote you shared, it is so true! Your list is a great way to focus on the year ahead and your wish to be the authentic you is something we all should aspire to. I always find Jennifer’s posts inspiring too. Lovely to drop by for #mlstl and I’ve tweeted this and now followed you as well 🙂 Fabulous to connect!
Debbie Harris recently posted..London calling – Wordless Wednesday
I love that quote too, Debbie. I’ve been saving it for a while now and just had to use it here. Great to connect with you and read your posts.
Corinne these are a great 20 for 2020 set of goals. I love that they all involve being kind to yourself and not trying to drive yourself towards unreasonable goals and expectations. I also really liked your Vision Board – something I have a go at now and then but never really seem to succeed with. Practice makes perfect though – and they’re fun to do.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM
The important thing about the vision board was the fun I had creating it, Leanne. Yes, I’m trying to make my goals ‘doable’ this year!
Such a comprehensive list. I too need to be reminded of a few items there. I have a water bottle with me all the time but do not drink enough of it. Sigh.
Thanks so much for sharing. I hope the year goes well!
Denyse #mlstl
Creating a list is meant to remind me, Denyse, but I forget sometimes too. You have a great year too.
I loved your list, and the reason behind it too. It’s so inspiring. I should try with 5 things, may be. All the best and hope at the end of year, you are able to achieve, what you started for.
Thanks, Ruchi.
Love your vision board. This year I am also planning to create one for me. My ideas and goals are just lying all over the place.
Love the steps you are taking for your well being. Walking is an excellent activity. Keeps you fresh and pumped for the whole day.
What I wouldn’t do for a good massage. You are so lucky you found a place where you live.
Looking forward to seeing your vision board, Raji.
A smart 20 list I’d say, Corinne. Aren’t these the ones that we require anyway? I’d pick most of it from here. When it comes to money, I’ve decided to spend less this time on everything. Walk is something I’m doing without the goal of losing weight or gaining strength. It’s a everyday habit I want to pull off because it just makes me feel good that day. I wish you success and happiness this year in accomplishing all you’ve set for yourself.
Also, I love Chole. My favorite all the time. ♥️
I saw your pic on Instagram, Jayanthy and can see that you’re already doing great in strength training and exercise. Wishing you the very best too!
Loved your vision board . It is so full of energy . All the best to doing everything on your list.
Sunita Saldhana recently posted..My Word Of The Year, 2020
Thanks, Sunita.
Psst. I am hacking your list Corinne! It seems customized just for moi! Honestly, been thinking of creating such list. I may even create one but sticking to it is the tough part. I wish your 20 get all ticks making year 2020 the best ever for you!
You’re very welcome to any or all of these, Kala. Like you said sticking to it is key. Good luck to both of us!
I’m gonna laugh a lot more. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Good for you! 🙂
A wonderful list Corinne and #20 is my favourite. To be authentic and live a life that is truthful to yourself is the key. It isn’t always easy to do but the freedom that comes when you learn to live this way is empowering. It is good to reflect on all areas of our lives and think about what changes we want or need to make. Thank you for linking up again this week at #MLSTL and hope to see you next week.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond recently posted..Got Two Minutes? Overcome your ‘scarcity mindset’ & start kicking some goals
Yes, 20 is my favourite one too, Sue, because without it nothing else makes sense. Thank you for stopping by. I’m loving #MLSTL – getting to meet so many new and interesting bloggers there.
I loved reading this post so much as what you have written resonated for me I am filled with positivity as I read your 20 for 2020 .
Ps..this means you will finally have time for short but regular calls 🙂
Thank you! And yes, looking forward to that! 😉
I loved your list and it truly makes sense to concentrate on yourself and your well-being. I’m also hoping to do most of the things from your list, Corinne.
Shalini recently posted..Book Review: Dive Into The Enchanting World of The Starless Sea
Thanks, Shalini. Wishing you wellness too all year through.
I really liked your list and may I borrow a few points from this list this year my dear?
Sure! Go ahead, Suha.
Thats a very creative and pretty Vision board Corinne and a very impressive list of things. I love the fact that you intend to write and create more. Looking forward to that.
All the best with your list of 20 in 2020 🙂
Shalzmojo recently posted..#BookReview-Stories of Us by Bobby Sachdeva (Paid post)
Awesome.!
Dear Corinne, thanks for sharing your list. I recently made mine and it was tailored towards my growth and aspiration. There are few similarities but the intentions are same.
Few years ago, I didn’t believe in Vision boards, i entered new years with no plans but to flow with what ever that comes, but that has stopped. I am now more intentional about my life and progress.
Thanks once again. Goodluck !