It is April 11, 2020 and I’ve been self-isolating since mid-March. Never in my wildest dreams when I was making puns about 2020 and creating a vision board for then new year did expect to be living through a worldwide pandemic. You can’t make this stuff up. And, if you’re like me, your vision board is a thoughtful process that you work through each year with the idea of helping visualize your hopes, dreams, wishes, and wants. I’ve decided to rework my vision board because there are obviously so many things to consider and I wanted to share my thoughts about how to move forward when everything feels like it has gone to hell. I would also talk about how imagine living my life moving forward.
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- Before I begin, I want to share that I finally opened one of my three bottles of free champagne that I was given last year. I was always waiting for that perfect moment to drink it. You know what I’ve learned from all of this? There’s NO perfect moment, there’s only now. And, when I make it through this craziness, I will be fully aware of how I want to live my best life.
- 2019 was really intense for me, it was challenging in ways that I didn’t anticipate. I did have a wonderful experience launching my inaugural Money on the Mountain Event, speaking to a packed audience at Podcast Movement, and making my way to Seattle for The Lola Retreat. After the last attendee departed from my event I swore that I was going to take things easy in 2020 because I had a feeling it would be unnecessarily intense.
- I had no idea how right I was.
- Like everyone else, I was watching the outbreak in China with interest and I wondered when the US would have some cases, I just never thought things would end up like this.
- In the weeks prior to the shelter in place order I received email after email from events that I planned to attend, speak at, or both. In a matter of weeks it felt like the goals, networking, and outreach I had planned on had all gone to hell.
- It was time to rethink my goals for 2020 and my vision of how I wanted to live my life moving forward. This has been an unexpectedly profound moment where I’m feeling a sense of regret because I put things off longer than maybe I should have. It’s too late to change those choices.
- For the past 7 years I’ve paid off over $60,000 in debt, I sacrificed a lot for financial stability and in focusing on my goal I sacrificed:
- Dressing Up-My wardrobe is ok. But, I miss wearing beautiful things. I used to have so much fun with fashion, now, not so much.
- I love my home-but, it’s not done up in the Apartment Beautiful way that I would like. Now, it’s not expensive to do, but I just didn’t prioritize it. And, now that I’m spending so much time in my home, it’s time to change that.
- International Travel-I’ve spent quite a bit of time overseas and even lived in Asia for a couple of years as a kid. While I did travel during debt repayment, I haven’t gone overseas for years and I can’t wait to get on the first plane after a vaccine is created and I’m going everywhere.
- Here’s the thing, I’m glad that I focused on my finances because I only have a few thousand dollars in debt outside of my student loans and another debt. If I hadn’t focused in the way that I did, I would be hurting badly right now.
- As the situation in the world unraveled, I began wondering are the goals and dreams that I had on my previous Vision Board still relevant?
- In a word: YES!
- But, it’s important to consider that it’s highly likely that you’ll need to spend some time focusing on how you will achieve your dreams in this new environment. The logistics of how you get to your goals may be very different.
- Want to earn more money? Revisit your plan and see if it’s still workable. Whatever isn’t workable, come up with a new plan.
- Want to travel the world? You may need to research quarantine rules prior to a vaccine being created.
- What is the atmosphere like?
- Want to fall in love? I hate online dating it feels like a job, but I do think that now is a good time to do it because there are fewer distractions. What I’m doing currently isn’t working.
- Change Your Timing-My new year starts now April 15, 2020-April 15, 2021.
- You have the time while we’re locked in our homes to rework your vision. Be bold, live the life of your dreams NOW.
I Give You Permission
- If you want to wear bold gorgeous clothing in your boring town, do it.
- If you want to declare that you’re going to be a millionaire-declare it.
- If you want to become known as a speaker, book virtual events.
- If you’re wanting to travel the world-DO!
- If you want to get married and have kids take action and speak it into existence.
- Live your life now. Don’t wait.
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Good stuff! As we talked about, really trying to use this time to the best of my ability. One thing I do want to do is lay it all out in a visual format, so that’s next on my personal to-do list!
Thanks Tonya! My initial vision board for this year had to be reworked because it also involved some overseas travel. Not going to happen. I’ve made my peace with it.
Nice Michelle,
Keep your head up! I’m originally from Florida and now living in Africa. You’re an inspiration. This COVID19 mess is just a small speed bump. Here in Rwanda(where I’m at for the moment) there’s a lot of work to be done.
When you’re ready to come to Africa let me know hahaha
Much love, Abe
I appreciate it Abe!