I don’t know about you, but I love a new year.
A clean slate, a fresh start, a chance to begin again. It’s magical, like a newborn thing. Perfect, innocent, full of a thousand dreams.
But 2020. Ooh, it’s too wonderful, isn’t it? The harmonious, squidgy plumpness of it. The onset of a flawless new decade, like a blanket of untrodden snow. I just can’t wait.
For me, 2020 will be about embracing the magic. Following my inspiration, wherever it may take me. Being a little bit woo woo – because why not? The magic is free.
And I don’t mean frogs and funny potions; I wouldn’t know where to start. But meditations and mantras, manifesting good things. Mindset, money mindset. Hygge, sprygge, (Christmas Shopaholic joke – have you read it?) whatever takes my fancy. If any of it works, I’ll be sure to let you know.
But for now I’m going to start with three simple things to get my new year off to an exciting, spellbinding pop.
So come with me on this brief, enchanting adventure where sparks of inspiration are sure to fly…
A 2020 Wish List
My magical expedition began on New Year’s Eve 2019. As inspired by a delicious lady in my Facebook group Chick Lit and Prosecco, I cosied up and wrote my wish list for the year ahead. A list of all the incredible things I want to come true, like an adult version of a letter to Santa.
I’ve got to admit, it got a little crazy. Thanks to Dick and Angel being on TV, I’m sure there’s a wish in there somewhere about a castle being bestowed upon me. Hey, a girl can dream!
The list is now in a sealed envelope, and on New Year’s Eve 2020 I will open it to see if anything has come true. I am reliably informed that things often do; sometimes in the most unexpected of ways. Be careful what you wish for, was the warning. Ooh…
Then on NYE 2020 I will of course be drafting my fresh list for the following year. I would love this to become a yearly tradition, accompanied by a bottle of Prosecco, a slightly dubious husband and a bit of festive cheer. (He ought to be dubious. He’ll soon have a castle to renovate.)
You could join in on making your wish list too, if you fancy. The year is still young.
A Vision Board
I’ve made a few secret vision boards on Pinterest before. It was fun, and I filled them with photos of amazing orangeries, and villas in Sorrento. But they were all a bit random, and I never made time to actually look at them. (Hence, still no lemon grove villa. Grr.)
So this year I’m trying a new approach.
Firstly, my vision board will be a physical thing, because there is huge power in seeing your dreams before you.
And secondly, my approach will be less scattergun.
The Vision Board Planning Bit
I will start by writing down my goals for the year – in life, my writing career, etc. The universe likes to know the details, so it can really help you. Much like Santa.
I will then get busy with the scissors, cutting out words and images which represent those things. (OK, I’ll be honest. I’ve already made a start on that bit – such fun, as that lady from Miranda would say. I already have cuttings of a swimming pool and a pretty impressive summer house. Too much?!)
The Power of a Real-Life Vision Board
My vision board will be a physical thing this year, and will take pride of place in my dressing room. (Sounds glam – it’s not. It’s now full of toddler junk.) I will then be able to look at it, focus on it and be motivated by it every day.
Because the magic is in the law of attraction.
The things we focus on in life, the things we give our energy to, begin to grow like tiny shoots.
By looking at this board daily, by smiling at the beautiful words and images I have chosen and breathing in their fairy dust, I will start to magnetise all of those good things.
Every time I look at this board, it will be like doing a small visualisation.
And wow. Visualisation is a powerful thing.
When visualisation is done effectively, for example by fully imagining a specific future goal, by seeing yourself there, by embracing all of your senses, you can alter the chemistry in your brain. Many athletes swear by visualisation to achieve success. Who wouldn’t want a bit of their magic?
Anyway, I’ll be sure to keep you posted about this vision board and all the dreams which will obviously start coming true. Pool party at mine, sometime soon…
My 2020 Power Words
Have you heard the word? Everyone seems to be talking about having one of these for 2020. Like a sort of power word, to inspire you, to drive you on.
Well yes, that’s cute. But actually, I’m a rebel – not to mention a lover of words. So I’ll have four of them please.
I’ve decided on the four below. (They came to me on Christmas morning, like a glorious gift. Actually I was in the shower, where all the best inspiration hits me. You too? Bit annoying when you haven’t got a pen. Anyway, thank you, universe. Most kind.)
So here are my four words for 2020. (Ought to put them on my vision board too. Ooh, I like it.)
Friendship.
Joy.
Positivity.
Gratitude.
Aren’t they a delight? They’re all words that feel like they belong in my world anyway, although I sense this year they deserve a special place. My four pillars, if you will. To hold up this rickety shack.
These are the words I will savour. The things I will build on, look out for, welcome in like happy companions for the new year ahead.
You like?
I Would Love to Know…
So tell me, what would your word/words for the new year be? Feel free to borrow some of mine if you wish. I don’t want to hog all the good one! Scroll down and pop yours in the comments box.
And as always, thank you so much for reading. You’re my pineapple in a world of apples.
Big love
Anita
Writer, Blogger, Author of Funny Love Stories
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Ooh, did you read the one about the pineapple? It’s a bit of a laugh. Enjoy! xx
Fabulous!
My wish would be to be able to do a blog!
I’m so hopeless at technology!
And maybe to kick around an idea for a book!
My four words
Hope
Faith
Love
Inspire
Happy New Year 🥳 lovely Anita ❤️
I love your positivity and joy!
🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍
You will start a blog – I will make you! And a book too, if you fancy. Loving your words and your beautiful energy. Thank you so much for reading. xx
My words for the year are: balance, romance, health, and family.
Such wonderful words. Thank for reading, gorgeous lady. xx
I love this. I need to use one of my ‘freedom Fridays’ – the glorious ‘toddler at nursery’ day – to vision the hell out of 2020. That just autocorrected vision to voodoo. Do you think the universe is trying to tell me something? Is there a positive voodoo? I think I’ve just got me a new blog post… Voodoo: My 2020 power word.
Great post, fantastically written. Xx
Ooh, a blog about voodoo. Give me a shout when it’s ready! Ha ha. Freedom Fridays sound like heaven. I’m going to have a bit of a Freedom Thursday today, to write the hell out of my latest novel. Good luck with that vision board, fab mumma. xx
Thanks to you, I’ve picked my own Power Words for 2020, and like you, I needed more than one! Mine are Happiness, Achieve, Positivity and Relax. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Wow, glad to have inspired you! Make sure you write them down in places you will see them, so you keep focusing on their positivity. Maybe set an alarm on your phone. Thanks for reading, my lovely. xx
Oh, how exciting! I did my 2020 list on New Year’s Eve and cant wait to compare notes with you at the end of the year. And yes, I looked at last year’s list and so many came true – spooky, but I suppose that’s the power of visualisation. New years’s eve party at your castle next year where we make our next set of lists? 😄 Love the idea of four words, so okay, here’s mine: Love, Success, Friendship, Joy
Oh wow yes, you’ll have your own quarters at the castle if it comes to fruition. Party time! Thank you for the inspiration. It’s wonderful to hear that so many of yours came true. Wishing you an abundance of love, success, friendship and joy. xx
I am really interested in things like this and often get little wishes come true from the universe. I really need to start a vision board and get in to things properly though xx
It’s all such exciting stuff. I keep winning a lot of lovely things at the moment – the universe is being a little sweetheart. Good luck with your vision board. xx
There are some really good ideas here . I always find mood boards a great way to inspire and create xx
Mood boards are fantastic – like your own magazine of beautiful and inspiring things. Thank you for reading, lovely lady. xx
What a lovely way to stay focused for 2020! I would also like to make a bucketlist for 2020, as it is going to be an amazing year…I can feel it 🙂
Woo hoo – loving your energy. Definitely make that bucket list and get busy enjoying the fun that ensues. xx
Great ideas here. The wife does a vision board and they really help her throughout the year keeps her aims in check!
Ooh, your wife sounds like a wise and creative lady. Thanks for reading! xx
This is fab! I’ve often thought about doing a vision board, it’s such a good idea. I am clearing out my office at the moment so think I will create a specific area for it.
Excellent – I really do hope I’ve inspired something beautiful. I’m sure you could blog about it too. xx
I love the idea of the new years list, I might have to borrow that I think – not too late surely!? I’m a huge believer in the law of attraction and had some amazing experiences with it last year. I do already have a physical vision board but I’m not sure its inspiring me properly as I made it a bit too clinical, so I’m going to spruce it up a bit and rejig things this weekend ready for a fresh positive start next week!
It’s absolutely not too late! Get writing that wish list. I’m still a newcomer to the law of attraction, but it’s fascinating. Good luck with tarting up your vision board. xx
Hello lovely. Loved reading your blog. It certainly got me thinking about my wish list for 2020. There are so many things 2019 had in store for our family many unhappy occasions.
But on the other hand so many wonderful things. I made some wonderful bookish friends the lovely Sue Baker who introduced me to a wonderful crazy inspirational lady who loves pineapples! So looking ahead 2020 my inspirational words are.
Laughter
Happiness
Strength
Positive
Family
Friendship
Believe
I want this year to be filled with laughter and happiness I know my beautiful grandchildren will bring this into my life as they already do.
Strength to carry me through the hard days.
Positiveness keep telling myself 60 is only a number I will embrace it with lashings of Prosecco and cake and run into the sea.
Family are my world 1man 3 sons 3 daughter in laws soon to be 11 grandchildren and 2 crazy dogs.
Friendships to get to know more of you crazy lovely people.
Last of all Believe in myself that I can achieve anything I set my minde to do. Follow some of the dreams I have had for years. Mabe write the childrens book thats been in my head for over 20 years . Maybe redesigned the back garden . Read more books.
Oh and buy a big hat ! 🦋
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love your list! It’s positive and inspiring and I know this year with sprinkle you with the best kind of magic. Definitely write that children’s book – don’t spend another 20 years wondering! You will make your grandchildren so proud. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, you magnificent lady. xx
Love the idea of a wish list, definitely going to write one and cross my fingers! X
Your wishes will be the universe’s command, sweet lady. xx
Oh I like this. I’m currently trying to finish my vision boards. I like the idea of having some words for the year too. I think mine could be family, love, time, and growth. X
Loving your fabulous words. Good luck with your vision boards – would love to see a blog post all about them. xx
I love the idea of a vision board but I’ve never managed to create a decent one! I usually do the words though and this year my main word is ‘Focus’. I just don’t have time to do ‘all the things’ so hoping this will help.
Focus is a brilliant word. We could all do with a bit of that at times! Good luck with it, sweet lady. xx
What a lovely, optimistic post, Anita, and so encouraging too! I always have a word for the year. Mine this year is growth. (Last year was ‘expand’). I also make a list of 20 for 2020 (in 2019 it was 19 for 2019), 20 things I want to achieve, do, or experience this year – kind of like your wish list! It’s lovely to ‘meet’ you virtually and discover your blog. Followed you on Twitter. Happy New Year!
Ooh, 20 for 2020. Fab idea! It’s lovely to meet you too and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this post. I look forward to checking out your blog soon too. xx
Love and support would be my two words this year. I’m going to need lots of support this year! I love how a new year always brings so much focus for everyone
Oh bless you, I hope you get all the love and support you need. Yes, new years are special aren’t they. I just love their magic. xx
My words for 2020 would be Family, Happiness, Relax (I was tempted by Let-It-Go but I thought that was cheating) and Experience (I was going to put travel but that sounded a bit global and I want it to be more UK based!)
I love the idea of a physical vision board for inspiration!
Your words are fantastic. Don’t forget to write them down somewhere and keep focusing on them. You don’t want their power to slip away…xx
I love stuff like this Anita. i had never heard of the “Santa list” before, but what fun to open that at the end of the year and see what changes were realized! I did my word of the year and even wrote a post about it. My word for the year is clarity! I want to be clearer with my business and see through the haze. Thanks for your witty sense of writing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, lovely lady. Clarity is a good one. Maybe I should get more clarity and choose one word instead of four! Ha ha. xx
Omg! Thanks so much! I totally forgot about vision boards!!! I use to do them all the time and then life became crazy and unpredictable and u have reminded me how fun and helpful they can be. Not to mention the ability to push yourself to strive for something. We are always a work in progress and these ideas really help propel us forward. Really enjoyed your post thank u! 🙏
Wow, I’m so happy to have inspired you. Don’t let the ideas slip away – get that vision board started! I found all the cutting, sticking, and browsing for images so relaxing too. xx
This year I have chosen my word, technically words, for the year to be INTENTIONAL GROWTH. I want to concentrate on the quality vs. quantity. I want to be intentional with my time and with the things I choose to do.
Quality over quantity every time, wise lady. I love your blog and look forward to seeing your growth. xx
Love your words! The word for this year is growth and wedding! I’m not sure I have time for much more!
I’m like you, 2020 seems like the year of big things! It’s exciting x
Big things indeed – you can’t get much bigger than a wedding! Can’t wait to hear all about your big day, gorgeous lady. You rock. xx
I love the idea of this! I bought a social media diary this year to better plan my blog at least and so far I haven’t used it 🙈
Ooh, I haven’t heard of a social media diary – but definitely feel like I need one! Off to investigate…xx