When Was the Last Time You Thought About What You Want?

Let me ask you something.  When was the last time you really thought about what you want?

Not what your kids need.
Not what your family needs.
Not what feels practical or responsible.

Just you.

For a lot of women, that question never gets asked. Not because you don’t have dreams, but because sometimes it's easier not to think about what you want.  After all, you're too busy managing schedules, caring for others, and holding everything together.  Over time, you forget about yourself. 

And that's what happened to me. 

When I first returned to the workforce, I was just trying to get through the day. Pay the bills. Keep my head above water. There wasn’t much room to think about the future.

I was just grateful to be working again.  But everything felt reactive. One thing led to another. I said yes to what was in front of me because I needed to. And for a while, that made sense. 

But what I wish I had done was taken a moment to dream again.  To think about what I wanted, not just what I needed. 

So today, I want to share what I would do if I had it to do all over again.

Dreaming again

When you’ve been focused on your family for years, it can feel strange to suddenly think about yourself and the future. It feels almost like a guilty pleasure.  I'm here to give you permission to think about who you are and what you want for the future.

Several years ago, I learned about vision boards.  At the time, they were completely new to me. Maybe they’re new to you too. And even if you’ve heard of them, my guess is you don’t actually have one.

I didn’t either--until I did.

A vision board is a simple way to begin thinking about your future. Think of it as a collection of images and words that reflect what you want more of in your life. It’s not about locking yourself into a plan. It’s about giving yourself permission to dream again.

Your vision board can include anything that matters to you: how you want your days to feel, what you want to work toward, etc. That might include work, health, relationships, learning, or simply time for yourself.

The Process

So what does making a vision board even look like?  Well, I first like to set aside a couple of uninterrupted hours (maybe later at night). Gather images and words from magazines, photos, screenshots, quotes--anything that catches your attention.  It helps to collect all the images and words first and then place them where it feels right.  

The first vision board I made was with poster board, cutout magazine photos, and a glue stick spread across the kitchen table.  The second one I made was completely digital.  I found the photos online and then uploaded them to a poster template I made In Canva. Both worked.  Both were helpful. Regardless of the format, remember there are no rules. No categories.

The Future

When you’re finished, place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it. Not as a reminder of what you should be doing, but as a quiet check-in with yourself.

I like to have mine next to my bathroom mirror. For me, it helps to keep what matters--in view.  

But don't just treat your vision board as a nice reminder of what you're dreaming about.  Ideally, you treat it as an action board.  You think about what steps you would have to take to make your dreams and future come true.

And then you do it!  

My vision board is a 5-10 year vision.  But with everything on it, I'm thinking about what I would need to be doing now to make my dreams come true.  For example, I hope to write a book someday.  To take action, I set aside an hour each week to write.  I'm just taking a small step to get closer to the vision I have for my life. 

Remember that you don't have to have it all figured out.  Some things fall into place over time.  Your vision board can change over time as well--because you and your circumstances change.

I'm honestly excited about 2026 and the future. Let's dream again...

 
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