Issue #32: seeing CLEARLY.
creative vision, eye health, 2025 goal setting + visioning, seeing your own self-worth, + the time has come for READERS.
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"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision".
~ Helen Keller
The ability to see clearly is a powerful tool for living with purpose and intention. When we see clearly, we can sift through the distractions, misunderstandings, and fears that often cloud our vision, allowing us to focus on what genuinely matters. This clarity isn’t just about achieving a specific goal—it’s about understanding the why behind our actions, making choices that reflect our values, and building a life that feels true. In a world where so much can pull us in different directions, the ability to see clearly helps us stay grounded and purposeful.
Seeing clearly also means being honest with ourselves, even when the truth is uncomfortable. It involves looking at our lives with courage and accepting both the bright and shadowed parts of our experiences. When we’re willing to see things as they are, we can respond with compassion rather than reaction, releasing the judgments and doubts that often cloud our path forward. This openness allows us to face challenges with resilience, knowing that clarity will guide us through, even in difficult moments. True clarity isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing what is real and finding strength in it.
Ultimately, seeing clearly gives us the freedom to envision and create a life aligned with our deepest intentions. It invites us to look beyond the immediate, to find meaning in everyday actions, and to approach the future with hope. As we set intentions and goals for the year ahead, we can ask ourselves what it is we truly want to see in our lives. With a clear vision, we can craft a future that honors who we are now and who we’re becoming, embracing each step with a sense of purpose and joy.
GOAL SETTING + VISIONING the coming year
Reflect on the Past Year
Take stock of 2024. What were your accomplishments, and what challenges did you face? Reflecting helps identify patterns and inform your next steps. Make a list of things you’d like to keep, improve, and let go of in the new year.
Define Your "Why"
Establish why each goal matters to you. Knowing your "why" creates a deeper connection to your goal, which helps keep motivation high even when challenges arise.
Set Goals Across Life Areas
Try setting goals for various parts of your life (health, relationships, career, creativity, etc.). Balancing goals across these areas can foster well-being and prevent burnout. For example, if you’ve been focused on career growth, consider setting a goal around self-care or relationships to bring more balance.
Use SMART Goals, but Add Flexibility
SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) are helpful, but remember to stay flexible. Life changes, so allow room for adjustments as needed.
Break Down Big Goals into Smaller Steps
Big goals can feel daunting, but breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps makes them more approachable and builds momentum. For example, if your goal is to “become healthier,” break it down into weekly actions like adding a new recipe, trying a fitness class, or scheduling regular check-ups.
Visualize and Affirm
Visualization and affirmations can reinforce your goals. Imagine yourself achieving each goal and the feeling it brings. Create affirmations to remind yourself of your capabilities.
Create a Support System
Surround yourself with people who can offer encouragement and accountability. Whether it’s friends, family, or a community group, support systems help keep you on track.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Set a monthly or quarterly check-in with yourself to assess progress, celebrate wins, and make adjustments as needed. This can help keep you aligned and motivated.
Celebrate Small Wins
Each step toward your goal is worth celebrating! Small wins build momentum and confidence, making the larger goal seem even more achievable.
Write Down Your Goals
Putting your goals on paper or digitally keeps them top-of-mind. Consider a dedicated journal or digital document to track and revisit throughout the year.
Balance Ambition with Self-Compassion
Set goals that challenge you but also be gentle with yourself if progress is slower than expected. Growth isn’t always linear, and sometimes setbacks teach us the most.
Embrace the Power of Habit Stacking
If your goals involve forming new habits, try linking them to an existing habit (e.g., meditate after brushing your teeth). This makes new behaviors easier to adopt.
Want Help to Get Started?
We made a worksheet with some questions to help you get the ball rolling!
This week’s Five Senses Friday is from designer and friend Laura Huebner, founder & creative director of Dotted Design–a boutique branding, web & packaging design studio.
TASTE: Pumpkin Protein Muffins. Don't be fooled by the name of this site--every muffin recipe I love is from Yummy Toddler Food! I stumbled upon this food blog when my kids were little and I was looking for recipes with less added sugar. Amy is constantly adding new muffin ideas, and they are quick to make and so delicious. Plus, her notes always include tons of substitutions for allergies or dietary restrictions. These pumpkin ones are the perfect fall flavor, and with extra protein we all need for strength to get through the end of the year. And, I would definitely add the suggested chocolate chips.
SEE: Appointed Year Task Planner. Despite the need for digital calendars, I just cannot quit a paper planner. I am most inspired seeing my to-do list right in front of me, and I can't shake the desire to cross things off with my pen. I have been using this one for several years now, and it is the perfect blend of simplicity and function. (I buy it every year during their Black Friday sale!) The company is a female-founded brand that focuses on sustainability, so it helps to know that my love of paper can support a brand with a mission!
SMELL: Frankfort Candle Company. I'm a sucker for a seasonal candle, but the pile of jars from used candles can be annoying to recycle. I love this small, woman-owned business because they source beautiful vintage vessels for their candles, which you can easily repurpose as decor after the candle is gone. They use coco-apricot wax, which is organic, gluten free, toxin free, paraben free, phthalate free, and comes from renewable sources. If you can't decide on a scent, I particularly love the honey + bourbon from their current seasonal collection!
HEAR: Second Life Podcast. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, this podcast has an endless supply of inspiring stories of women who started businesses or movements as a second (or third!) act in life. While society can put such an emphasis on youth and highlight 30-Under-30 lists, in reality most of us don't have our entire careers figured out at 22. While some guests are celebrities or household names, there are plenty that will be new to you. Hearing stories of how life experience brought women to found companies or design revolutionary products always helps me as I dream of what is going to come next in my life.
TOUCH: Cozy-hearted Blankets. The temperatures are slowly starting to drop here where I am in the Midwest, which means you will find me under a blanket almost any time I'm sitting at home, and these are my favorite. Their products are ethically manufactured at the highest environmental standards, use sustainable materials for products and packaging, and are GOTS Certified + made without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides and dyes. As a bonus, 25% of their sales are donated to congenital heart disease research. A great gift for the person who has everything!
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women + EYE HEALTH
Women are at higher risk for eye diseases than men- learn more about your eye health with this Women’s Eye Health 101. Are you spending more time on screens than off them? Protect your Eyes from Screen Exposure. Heard of Eye Yoga? Try this short series with simple eye exercises to help in relieving stress and strengthening your eye muscles. 6 Most Common Reasons For Vision Changes After Pregnancy. Dry Eyes: A Common Menopause Problem. “The health of the eye demands a horizon,” Emerson said. Learn more about the Benefits of Taking in Big Vistas and Wide Open Spaces. What to Know About Blurry Vision and Diabetes.
seeing your own VALUE + SELF-WORTH
“As we explore how we see and value ourselves, we may come across many terms related to 'self-', each holding its own importance. At the heart of these is self-worth, a concept that transcends self-confidence or esteem. It's the inherent value we place on ourselves, independent of external accolades…Our self-worth, much like a river formed by the terrain through which it flows, is shaped by several key factors. These factors encompass our personal experiences, relationships, and core beliefs about ourselves. Each factor, a tributary, feeds into the river of self-worth, shaping its course.” Read the full article from Resilience Lab for more. Check out these empowering affirmations.
Raising kids? Take a look at this article on why confidence and worth are more important than ever for our girls. And some tips on raising confident kids.
And we leave you with…
It is TIME for READERS!
It has arrived- the squinting, the moving the menu further away. When I (Rebecca) wear my contacts I am having a REAL hard time reading! So it is time to get readers and I am kind of excited. I am not sure why readers feel different than my regular (with readers built in glasses). Maybe it is fun to have the flexibility of taking them on and off or being able to switch pairs based on my mood (or let’s be realistic- the pair that happens to be in my purse).
Why Do So Many Women Wear Giant Eyeglasses?
“Still, in the optics of optics, thick-framed mega-lenses have their own specific niche. They communicate a certain seriousness, studiousness and even nerdiness, but in a good way. Also something a little old-fashioned. In other words, values that may be dismissed as uncool in adolescence can take on new meaning in adulthood. They say: I see you, old stereotype. I own you, and I raise you one.”
~Vanessa Friedman, Ask Vanessa, NY Time Style
Do you have a favorite brand of readers? Tell us more!
Have a great weekend!
