Maybe it’s because my visions are attainable — rather than “hey I’m going to become a figure skater this year!” — but my 2025 vision board (more likely my habit of checking in on it every week) seemed to pay off. Pleased with the results, I’m giving it another go in 2026.
Here it is. You can click to enlarge it. I’ll walk through it from top left down, and moving to the right.
Home improvement
Tree removal was last year’s large project. Two out of the three Russells in this house would like a double driveway, so your humble street-parking hostess is going to see if we can make this happen. An organized garage remains forever on my list, and I am still on the very slow path toward introducing more color into our home.
Fitness
I’m doing okay, but I could use some more physical and mental wellness. I lost 25 pounds in 10 months (September 24-July 25) but gained six back, and I also fell off my gym routine. If WM were reading, he’d say, “my knee surgery?” And I don’t want to seem rude, but yeah. I was either running the show or completely catatonic this summer, and I fell off the healthy eating train in the fall. No big. I don’t beat myself up for that anymore. But I will get back on track.
Performances
I would like to see two events this year — either two concerts or a concert and a play. There is no good reason I can’t splurge on a trip to the Philly theaters, or even up to New York.
Website success
This will be my second year tracking hits and page views, and I’ll get to see if I’m growing year over year. I want my blog to continue improving — both in content quality and traffic — and I would like to earn a little digital revenue. How? I have no idea.
Right now I’m experimenting with Benable. It lets bloggers and content creators who are too small for most affiliate programs (hi, it’s me) earn money through affiliate links. I’ve been creating lists there to items that I use. And I’ve started pinning my card posts to Pinterest and leaving that Benable link on the blog posts. We’ll see how it goes.
Work success
I have my own definition of that, which I’m leaving off of the blog.
Activism
I need to get back out there and push back against this fascist swing. Postcards, donations, local efforts. I have no excuse. I just want our government to go from being a literal threat to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness back to just being inconvenient and annoying.
Yes, that’s a puppy napping at the bottom of the board. We are torn between “Murphy needs a brother” and “Y’know, Murphy is A LOT of dog and maybe some day in the distant future we’ll start with two puppies.”
New computer
This carried over from last year, but I’m going to see if I can squeeze as much life out of my desktop as possible.
Strong relationship
That’s a no-brainer. We’re doing great, and we can always do better.
Creativity
I want to paint things. I want to Mod Podge napkins onto yogurt jars to see if they can become tealight holders. I want to etch glass. I want to sketch. I miss working with beads — I never got rid of my jewelry making supplies. The more you create, the more you want to be creative.
Beach days
I live a short jaunt from the Jersey shore and I need to get there more often. I used to think nothing of zipping down there on a summer Friday morning, but lately the drive feels like an extra chore. Work is picking up significantly this year and I’m going to need the decompression.
Will all of this happen exactly I planned? Of course not. But the board gives me something to aim toward, which feels like a small but meaningful act of optimism and hope.
(Happy birthday, Dad!)
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