Saying Goodbye to 2014: Celebrating Wins and Acknowledging Challenges

Each January, I get just a little excited about creating a fresh vision board for the New Year.  I love setting goals, picking a “word of the year” and challenging myself creatively.  Even if it seems a little cliché, I enjoy the exercise and tradition of it all.  I use this space as a place to check-in on my goals, have reminders for our core value words and tape my board somewhere I can see it daily.

A look back at my 2014 board. 2015 board reveal coming soon!

All that said, I’m still settling into a new normal/new routine since my car accident last summer that changed my health and perspective in so many big and sometimes scary ways.  When it came time to break out my magazines and art supplies for a 2015 board, I noticed I had quite a different attitude about the process.

I was surprised at the range of emotions that popped into my head as I sat down to begin a new board.  To be frank, I had to move through some pretty negative thoughts.  I didn’t even want to look back at my 2014 board.  I thought to myself, “I had no idea what a rollercoaster 2014 would turn out to be…the emotional and physical pain that would become a part of my ‘new normal’…the feelings of intense sadness and anxiety that would come along with the unwelcome experiences….and how difficult it was to express what I was going through to family and friends.”  I wanted to “forget” the tough moments from the year, and I wanted to throw away the whole vision board/goal setting process.

But, I knew if I wanted to continue to grow and stay O P E N and J O Y F U L instead of closed and negative, I needed to keep going. I needed to choose L O V E, F A I T H, and M I R A C L E S. I don’t want to become jaded and brace myself for the worst; I want to be spontaneous with a sunny outlook on life.  I love the phrase “momentum is the key to longevity” because it rings so true! We must continue to stretch and reach and grow.  To pick ourselves up, be gentle and forgiving with ourselves and others, and keep going.

Without further ado, let’s take a look back so we can declare 2014 C O M P L E T E and get on with the business of making my 2015 board the best one yet. These questions are via the fabulous Kelly Rae; you can read her post saying goodbye to 2013 here if you’re interested.

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2014?(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)What a year! In looking back through the posts from 2014, I was once again so thankful to have the time and space to document the many baby steps and big leaps I was blessed to take in 2014. Here’s a quick look month-by-month:
   January – appeared on Lowcountry Live to talk about (guess what?!) Vision Boards (link here to the post and clip). Began to live with intention when interacting with strangers. Many incredible things happened with this simple shift! Painted my “World Traveler” sculpture from Kelly’s workshop and made a video of the process. Started a monthly book club gathering as we learned about Core Values together (met through May 2014 and grew so much)
   
   February –  Led a vision board session at Center For Women, created a vegan cheesecake video on YouTube, a vegan soap video, plus my held first ever art sale with a Valentine’s theme. Also continued the yoga practice I began in January, meeting a friend for Saturday sessions and going other days when I could.

   

   Center for Women Vision Board Workshop…

   March – Wrote/shared about working through life changes after our cross-country trip and new dynamics in our family. Went to a Fashion Show and made a crafty video about upcycling candy boxes.

   
   April – Breakthroughs and thanks to so many of you for reaching out after my March post about climbing out of sadness, and, a video about organic beauty loves.

   May – Experimented with vegan bread recipes and made a fun video with one of our favorite new recipes.
   

   June – Created digital downloads in my Etsy shop of several watercolor works, set an intention to give away something each week (either online or offline).
   

   July – Took myself on a date and shared my experience in this post/video. Said goodbye for now to a dear friend who moved to Bend, Oregon.
   

   August – Perfected a Plum Sorbet recipe, completed several DIY projects including a cute blanket, created a deck of Watercolor Encouragement Cards for two sweet friends.

   September – a low point in the year with neck/back pain (prayers went up for gratefulness). It was the perhaps the longest stretch without a post on this blog.  Gave myself permission to rest and work through the sadness.

   October – Began to re-emerge and played with make-up and décor to brighten the days. 
   

   November – Received much encouragement from my sister and followed her prompting to create a monthly favorites video over on YouTube.

   December – Continued to heal and was able to craft several holiday gifts as long as I rested often. Signed a contract to build a new home…a dream come true and answer to much prayer. Posted three videos to YouTube and ended the year at nearly 50,000 views and 500 subscribers (thank you!)

2. What is there to grieve about 2014?
   (What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)  I feel like I covered a lot of this in the introduction to this post. The scariest parts of the year were related to my accident and taking the huge baby step of driving again after being hit so hard. Though I am forever changed, I refuse to stay stuck or scared.  I’m getting stronger every day and commit to remaining courageous in faith and action.
   
   
3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
   The next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2014 complete!” How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…Thank you, each of you, for loving and encouraging me this year! I’m stronger than I was 12 months ago, and am truly looking forward to sharing 2015 with you.  In just a few months, we’ll be moving into our new home and continuing our pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.  We commit to living generously, spontaneously and with much love and compassion.  I suppose it’s time for me to make my 2015 board!

Reveal of my 2014 Vision Board, and Thoughts on 2013

The New Year is here, and I’m delighted! It means I will be increasing my energy towards becoming a better, more evolved, community minded, spiritual, generous, and grateful person.  No small task, but a vision board always helps me set out with intention and creativity!

A link to my old Vision Board video and tutorial for those who are new to the fun art of vision boards!

I was humbled and thankful when items on my 2013 board came true. In January, “Travel” was on the board.  Little did I know then, that we would drive more than 10,000 miles over the course of the summer (follow our journey and view our stops here). “Culture” was also there, and photos and clippings of beautiful dancers.  I was reminded of this as we enjoyed several live dance performances this year.  “Love” and “Parenting” also had a home on the board, and so much growth took place in both areas this year.  “Give” was also there, and my schedule now includes a loving dose of volunteering, which has become a part of my weekly routine, after years of dreaming about it. In many ways, 2013 was an exhilarating, stretching and yes, exhausting year (being honest).  There were trips of a lifetime and big, scary leaps of faith.  People thought we may be crazy.  Family was worried at times.  But, it all came together, and it wasn’t by accident. It should be no surprise that my word for 2013 was “Authentic”.

I also have to share something wonderfully peculiar that happened with my 2013 board. I’d created various painted words to include in the vision board session I shared with Alesya at Spacecraft Studios, two of which were “Finances” and “Career”.  Those pieces of painted paper must have slipped out of my folder and onto the floor before I left to meet her, and I didn’t notice.  Weeks later, I came across the two slips of paper and paused for a long moment.  I decided in that moment to glue “Finances” to the board, but to set “Career” aside.  I wasn’t quite sure why, but I was going with a feeling.  Since that time, we worked through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace material, and after 5 years, will be making our last car payment.  Holy moly. My work-from-home consulting work was steady but not top priority this year, which was just what was needed.

My 2014 Vision Board:
I was so in awe of the power of intention, prayer and putting things on paper as I created my 2014 vision board.

As I was working on this board, Danielle LaPorte’s Desire Map was on my mind.  You see, I’d poured through Danielle’s e-book as we drove cross-country over the summer. Sometimes I’d read excerpts to the whole crew. Danielle talks about going after a core desired feeling, and then taking daily steps to get there. It’s goal setting, turned upside down.

Here’s to 2014! Click image to expand if you want to see closer up 🙂

I was excited and a bit surprised looking at what my 2014 board (above) did (and didn’t) contain.  Art, Reading, Travel, and Meditation all had a home.  So did “be an artist” above the words “success”.  Scary.  A nice big, “Give Back” was there, and so were “Superfoods”.  “Health” and “Workout Reboot,” and “Craft” and “Into the Woods” and “Flow” are also stuck to the board, which is actually a watercolor I created in shades of green, red and orange.  I also love “Reading is a way for me to expand my mind, open my eyes, and fill up my heart.” Yes, that. Next, I’ll be creating a few additional thoughts and phrases centered around family to add to the board in pockets of love.

I’d love to see your goals, word of the year and vision boards for 2014! Comment below, tweet me @lauracatherineo or Facebook me http://facebook.com/lauracatherineco.

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Happy New Year,

Laura

P.S. Since this post is a bit of looking back over 2013 and looking ahead to 2014, I wanted to share something I was able to create via Flipagram (This 30-second video using photos from my Instagram account). It’s overwhelming, in a good way, to look back at the travel, arts and crafty moments of the year.

 

End of the Year Goal Check-In

In 2011, I shared 50 goals for the year.  At the end of 2011, I’d reached 28 of those goals. This year, instead of setting new goals, I continued to work on this list and made notes of new goals for 2013.  Looks like I reached 44 of the 50!  The others are no longer goals or transformed into something else.

Why 50 goals? The thing about setting 50 goals for a year is that you may not reach all of them.  That’s part of the beauty of it! Even reaching 28 in 2011 was pretty exciting for me.  If I’d only set 5, I may have reached 4 or 5 and stopped.  Keeping the list longer and varied with big and small goals keeps me motivated.  In a silly way, I’d even forgotten about some of the goals and didn’t do a weekly goal check-in with myself.  The power of the written word and intention was definitely at work…a beautiful thing!

Goal Progress…Making Room for New Goals

1. Develop “office hours” for designing/blogging/social media – So, so glad to be there.

2. More family time (every day) – Yes, and so very thankful.

3. Treat B like he is a gift (every day) – Stronger and wiser. We are at the 12 year mark and growing every day.

4. Develop my watercolor (paint several times/week) – Lots of painting and art journaling this year, including an art journal swap where I filled 16 pages of art journals with words of encouragement.

5. Explore other art techniques/mediums/etc. It was an exciting year! More play with watercolor, mixed media, sewing (hello!) and crafting.

6. Make my watercolor jewelry dreams come true (develop a prototype) – The watercolor dreams changed in 2011, which was OK with me.  Instead of creating another “job” for myself, I focused on making jewelry for friends and family.  It was therapeutic and fun.

7. Exhibit at 3 craft shows – Not sure this is a goal of mine anymore, and that’s OK!

8. Expand/refine my Etsy shop – A 2011 goal that was reached in 2012!

9. Refine Dreamy Design Works Jewelry blog to feel more like a nice website – Moving away from the watercolor jewelry dream for now, but lots of blogging here an on my other biz blog in 2012!

10. Host another craft party (or two) – Funny how this one came true in 2012…I hosted a mother-daughter craft party a few weeks ago and hosted other kids craft parties this year.

11. The word is “abundance” – Abundant time compared to the first-half of the year, since I was able to leave my full-time job in May!

12. Make birthdays (friends/family) special with handmade gifts – Definitely done in 2012.  Hand sewn aprons, clay soap dishes and more.

13. Pray everyday – Almost every night!

14. Read my bible and other inspirational books (art and otherwise) – Lots of reading this year, including many great thrift store finds!

15. Set up a “real” studio space – Reached in 2012! Hooray!

16. Family videos –Several family videos in 2012!

17. Keep car extra clean (silly but needed) – Much better this year, but the trunk is still a bit of disaster.  Progress!

18. Garden again…consider a vegetable/fruit garden – Rose garden in 2012 and lots of clipped flowers. Vegetable garden in 2011 and plans for another in 2013.

19. Grow friendships in Columbia – I’ve done a good job about staying in touch with Columbia friends even though I don’t have the twice-weekly commute anymore.

20. Stay in Charleston…We’re still here!

21. Date nights – More than last year!

22. More time with my parents and siblings – Especially in first-half of the year.

23. Grow relationship with sister-in-laws – I gained a new sister-in-law in 2012 and was able to host a shower for her and help with their wedding.  Very sweet!

24. Give Mom extra TLC – I hope so, but always room to improve.

25. Continue with marketing blog, refine design – Done in 2011 and again in 2012 (over here, if you aren’t a reader).

26. Go to the beach more, more outdoor activities – For sure.

27. Take the dog on longer walks everyday – More walking but we are down to one pet, a yorkie poodle mix.

28. Take a few short breaks to enjoy my day (fresh air, etc.) – Yes! Finally!

29. Get a nicer laptop so I can work from the park or coffee shop, etc. – Finally got my laptop! A 2011 goal, achieved in Oct. 2012.

30. Set up B’s den space for him (as a surprise) – Done in 2011!

31. Patio and porch furniture, flowers to make the spaces more enjoyable – So many clipped flowers in 2012…so happy.

32. Bikerides – Hmm…turns out I don’t have a comfortable seat and I get too nervous.  But lots of long walks, both here and in Colorado.

33. Rollerskate night – Ice skating in 2012, including a party…that counts!

34. Cooking (continue, try new recipes) –Went vegan! Oh my!

35. Redesign of this blog – Done in 2011 and again in 2012.

36. Launch of Strategic Online Marketing website – Done in 2011.

37. Move more (find joy in exercise) – Lots of long walks, especially in Colorado where I walked 1 or more hours a day.

38. Build joyful music lists (inspiration, motivation, exercise, etc.) – Thank you, Spotify

39. Create guest bedroom space – Thanks to a pull-out trundle bed, we’re there.

40. Make more jewelry to wear – Made lots of jewelry this year, gifted most of it but I’m OK with that.

41. Storytime. Lots of art time, praying, talking, and reading.

42. Grow friendships with Twitter, Chs, and Cola friends – I think so!

43. Disney – Yes, in 2011!

44. Puerto Rico – not yet

45. Healthier cooking, trips to the farmer’s market – Vegan adventures and 20 lbs down.

46. Biz cards (small but needed) – Done in 2012 thanks to Klout perks.

47. Approach local shops about selling my jewelry – no longer an immediate dream of mine, but love making jewelry as gifts!

48. Art time– Yes. Loving it.

49. Movie nights – Yes but not a goal for 2013.

50. Go to more CHS events with the family (festivals, etc.) – Yes! Including Dishcrawl and many Robert Ivey Ballet performances.

2013 goal post coming soon.  I can’t stress enough how powerful setting goals has been for me.  It keeps me motivated and encouraged, especially when I forget that I’ve made progress.

A Look Back on 50 Goals for 2011

As the year comes to an end, I wanted to take a look back on my long list of 50 goals for 2011. Local blogger and inspirational writer Angie Mizzell did a nice 2011 year-in-review on her blog that reminded me to take a look at what I’ve done in 2011. I always love Kelly Rae’s “year in review” posts, too. Some of my goals were big, some were little (or silly). I liked the idea of 50 goals, because most people stop at 5 or 10. I often said to “dream big” this year, and this was my way of not limiting myself.

Epcot Sky - A Disney Dream Came True

I went through the list of 50 goals below and made notes next to each. I reached the goals in green, am half-way there on the orange goals, and am not there yet for the goals in red. A total of 28 done, 8 are works in progress (almost there), 14 not yets/no’s. Some of the goals are not “me” anymore, so I’m OK with not having reached all 50. I’ll take 28! I’m honestly really excited about making my goal list for 2012, and think I’m going big at 100 this time.

2011 Goals: An Update

1. Develop “office hours” for designing/blogging/social media – I’m not working all weekend anymore, so I give myself and “A” for effort. Still, this one is a work in progress, so I am not marking it “done”.

2. More family time (every day) – good progress made!

Lots of Art Journaling in 2011

3. Treat B like he is a gift (every day) – our relationship is better than ever ❤

4. Develop my watercolor (paint several times/week) – I experimented with watercolor and acrylic this year but didn’t always paint several times a week. I think I made up for it with art journaling but am not marking this as completely done.

5. Explore other art techniques/mediums/etc with Kelly – yes! Great art lessons, mixed media, art journaling, and fun

6. Make my watercolor jewelry dreams come true (develop a prototype) – I made several watercolor pendants but it was not a big jewelry year for me. Post here – I’m getting my jewelry mojo back and made several sets for the holidays.

7. Exhibit at 3 craft shows – no way around it – I didn’t attempt to reach this goal. But, I came closer to finding my artistic style and am making jewelry again.

8. Expand/refine my Etsy shop – no way around this one either – it just didn’t happen.

9. Refine DDW blog to feel more like a nice website (a la KRR) – not yet

Magic

10. Host another craft party (or two) – not at my house, but I did attend a warm glass jewelry class with two of my good friends.

11. The word is “abundance” – I like this but am not sure how to mark it – Done? Not done? Not sure? Guess that means “not quite yet”

12. Make birthdays (friends/family) special with handmade gifts – lots of jewelry and art gifted this year ❤

13. Pray everyday – unless you count nightly family prayer time, I didn’t reach this goal. Something to move to the top of the list for 2012.

14. Read my bible and other inspirational books (art and otherwise) – I did a good bit of reading this year, but not every day.

15. Set up a “real” studio space in the FROG or elsewhere – I’m on my way! The den is officially downstairs and my studio is a big work-in-progress.

16. Family videos – not sure? A few at the holidays, but I honestly think I forgot about this goal. Something to move to the top of the list for 2012.

17. Keep car extra clean (silly but needed) – maybe half the time. I guess I still failed at this one! 😉

18. Garden again…consider a vegetable/fruit garden – done!

19. Grow friendships in Columbia (Monday lunches) – getting there!

20. Stay in Chs…we’re still here, so done!

21. Date nights – yep!

22. More time with my parents and siblings – for sure!

23. Grow relationship with sister-in-laws – I think so

11 years and counting...

24. Give Mom extra TLC – I hope so

25. Continue with marketing blog, refine design – done

26. Go to the beach more, more outdoor activities – more beach and soccer time

27. Take the dog on longer walks everyday – not quite. Put this on the top of the list for next year

28. Take a few short breaks to enjoy my day (fresh air, etc.) – still need to work on this. It’s very hard to take a break unless I’m forced to.

29. Get a nicer laptop so I can work from the park or Coffee shop, etc. – this is on my wish list, for sure!

30. Set up B’s den space for him (as a surprise) – done! He did it, I helped fund it. Does that count? 😉

31. Patio and porch furniture, flowers to make the spaces more enjoyable – done! A lovely surprise from hubby

32. Bikerides – not quite! Need to get a bike first. 😉

33. Rollerskate night – a few times with friends, so that counts 😉

34. Cooking (continue, try new recipes) –lots of cooking, especially in the fall

Lots of crafting in 2011

35. Redesign of this blog – done!

36. Launch of Strategic Online Marketing website – done!

37. Move more (find joy in exercise) – getting there – especially with Zumba!

38. Build joyful music lists (inspiration, motivation, exercise, etc.) – thank you, Spotify

39. Create guest bedroom space in FROG – not yet, but have the studio in progress and have begun talks with hubby about the bedroom space

40. Make more jewelry to wear – not so much for me, but gave lots of gifts for Christmas

41. Storytime – not consistently. Lots of art time, praying, talking, and reading alone though.

42. Grow friendships with Twitter, Chs, and Cola friends – I think so!

43. Disney – YES!

44. Puerto Rico – not yet

45. Healthier cooking, trips to the farmer’s market – a “paleo” diet, juice fast, and more fruits/veggies were a part of 2011

46. Biz cards (small but needed) – not yet! Really need to do this, still!

47. Approach local shops about selling my jewelry – not yet – need to think about this one

48. Art time with Sissy – yes, big time!

49. Movie nights – yes, especially this month!

50. Go to more CHS events with the family (festivals, etc.) – for sure! Ended with Holiday Lights at James Island County Park

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