Starting From Zero



Sedona as seen from Bear Mountain (📷: me)

There were quite a few things from my vision board that I didn't get to in 2019, but I didn't forget about them. Then end of the year forced me to face a lot of things that I had repressed and decided to be a little more gentle with myself, so I'm choosing to focus on my goals for this year rather than what I did not accomplish last year. My focus this year is healing, so all of my tangible goals are all aimed at minimizing external pain points to allow me to hone in on the things that really make me happy. And with that, requires organization and a belief in manifestation.

I was really conflicted on purchasing a planner this year and ultimately decided on using an old grid notebook from college and just customize it. I pulled inspiration from Erin Condren LifePlanners and Pinterest (of course) to create something that I feel is really suited to my needs. I can be a little.....intense so I needed something that allowed me to write my endless lists and lists of lists, as needed.

This I broke down each of my 2020 goals into five categories and then created my vision board from that. I chose to make an electronic one rather than cutting out things from magazine which I actually thought was a great way to kick off my minimal waste goals!

So my five categories are as follows:

Finances- I want to be more meaningful in my purchases. Even just two weeks in, it has forced me to really look at my shopping habits and how they have been tied my emotional unrest. I really want to move away from toxic coping mechanisms, like retail therapy, and just be content with my own self validation.

Health and Fitness- I am creating challenging goals for myself and have specific milestones that I would like to achieve, but I am also practicing being gentle on myself. So what if I miss a work out or don't get to Yoga that day? Maybe I used that time to instead hang out with friends, or read a book (shout to my book club for keeping me motivated) or just "be".

Career- My public lands career is just getting started. There are always more certifications to acquire, connections to make and specializations to develop.

Home-So many improvements to make and things to declutter. I want my space to be my sanctuary, where everything has a home and a purpose. Less clutter, means less distractions from my mental well being.

Personal-Embrace the feelings. Whatever I feel, it is ok to feel. Feelings don't have to be rational. But don't let them consume me, good or bad. Take more pictures and relish the fact that I have family and friends that love me and whom I love and cherish.

My major take away in creating my vision board and planner for this year, was that I am not alone. I am grateful in that I have never truly been alone, even though I have sometimes felt that way. All I ever needed to do was ask. And that is what I am hoping to carry into this year. I have an excellent support system and I need to use it. And likewise, I need to be that lending shoulder, listening ear or gentle heart for those that need it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2018 #goals

Setting challenges and creating benchmarks, utilizing metrics is just a part of who I am, that “Type A” personality. Being able to analyze metrics is something that legitimately brings me joy. But I have found a balance between utilizing metrics and setting unrealistic expectations. With that being said, I have set up what I believe to be some realistic expectations for this year. Blogging My brother tried to use his blog as both a method to cope with his anxiety and depression, and he was able to make some really great connections that way. People he would have otherwise been able to meet. I would like to try and carry on that legacy my bringing awareness to mental health issues and document my own healing through outdoor activity. Live a More Cruelty Free Lifestyle While I’m not ready to go entirely vegetarian, I would like to go meatless at least three days a week. I am still working on being able to give up cheese and sour cream. But I think that this is a good star...
Read more

Safety First!

Image
I think that this meant something slightly different than it did maybe say....six months ago? Now when I plan my hike, I do so to minimize my likely hood of running into other people and bringing my mask, in addition to all the other safety things I usually bring with me.  And while I know that the likelihood of becoming infected with COVID 19 while recreating in the outdoors is probably pretty low, I would rather be safe than sorry, hence the mask and appropriate social distancing. I try and pick trail in which there are little to no people, pick a time a day in which there are little to no people, or where I can easily move far enough off trail to minimize contact. For the times that I cannot do those things I bring my mask so I can quickly cover my mouth and nose. I am lucky enough to have several cloth masks that I rotate between, I don't feel bad about using mask only for this purpose before washing and disinfecting.  So in addition to thos...
Read more

Where I'm At Now

So fast forward to hike 22 and I've had some really great adventures. I solo hiked the Grand Canyon, explored more of what my area has to offer and hiked with some new friends. I'm so awkward that I didn't even think I was capable of making new friends, let alone go hiking and camping with them, but I have surprised even myself. I have learned a lot along the way and made some pretty drastic changes. I feel more confident in my physical abilities, despite being at a heavier weight that I had hoped for at this point in the year. I recently went on a 15 mile hike and while everyone else struggled up the mountain, my legs felt eager to keep moving. It really gave me the burst of confidence that I needed and I really feel like for once I appreciate the size of my legs. I've also done some really deep self reflection. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Ecology seven years ago. I have done NOTHING with that, to my utter shame. I was laid off from my corporate job ...
Read more