Written By : Hannah Corbett
Here we are—December 26th. Christmas is officially behind us, and we find ourselves in the in-between, where the holiday buzz fades and the anticipation for the New Year kicks in. The countdown is on, and with it comes the inevitable flood of New Year’s resolutions, fitness goals, and the pressure to reinvent ourselves. It’s easy to get swept up in the hype, to start obsessing over what we want the year ahead to look like. But before we dive into the rush for a “new you,” why not take a moment to reflect on this year—the one we’ve just lived?
For me, 2024 was a year of intention—a year where I took control of my narrative and actively shaped my future. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that vision isn’t just a wish. It’s a plan.
Vision boards have become my ritual, my sacred act of creating and visualizing the life I want to live. And this year, like the years before it, I did it with intention. But it was different. It wasn’t a whimsical cutting session from old magazines, putting together something that was aesthetically pleasing but lacked substance. No, this year was about making the invisible, visible. And more importantly, making it actionable. I crafted an entire Pinterest board, a curated space filled with the visuals of what I wanted my life to look like at 25. The places I wanted to go. The goals I wanted to achieve. The person I wanted to finally be, because all my life how I feel right now, I knew I was always supposed to feel.
I used Pinterest, not to scroll endlessly, but to curate a vision for my life. My 25th year was around the corner, and I knew I needed a visual guide to help me step into the person I wanted to become. The board was a mix of big dreams and small desires. I wanted to move away from my hometown, to build something of my own—a magazine that would speak to my passions, a community full of creativity. I saw myself getting my Pilates certification and traveling more: Charleston, St. Thomas, maybe even London. I included some dreams too maybe out of reach: receiving a PR box, experiencing a certain kind of success, I didn’t just dream it—I visualized it, printed it, pinned it, and went to work.
Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for what has become this year. I’m proud of what I’ve built, but I’m also aware of what didn’t happen. Some dreams didn’t materialize the way I imagined—London didn’t happen, neither did my trips to Nantucket or the Hamptons—but that’s okay. This year wasn’t about perfection; it was about direction. Vision isn’t a guarantee that everything will go according to plan—it’s about aligning your energy with your desires and trusting the process.
And yet, while I achieved much, I also had to let go of a lot. I grew distant from people and communities I once was up to my ears in apart of. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I had outgrown certain spaces, and as much as I loved what was lost, I knew it was time to move on. Sometimes, letting go isn’t about forgetting. It’s about making space for what’s coming next.
Now, as we near the end of this year, I feel more grounded and confident in myself than ever. I’ve created a life I truly love, one that aligns with what I value so much. And looking ahead to 2025, I have so much excitement, more than I’ve ever had before. I’ve learned that you don’t just hope for the life you want—you build it. And while vision boards can seem like a “woo-woo” activity, they’ve become my tangible reminder that setting clear intentions is the first step in turning dreams into reality.
So, as this year draws to a close, take a few moments to reflect on your own journey. What did 2024 bring you? What are you proud of? And what do you want to create in 2025? Your vision board doesn’t have to be some magical solution—it’s simply a visual map to align your heart, mind, and actions. Whether it’s big goals or small dreams, make it clear to make it seem like it could become real. Because 2025? It’s waiting for you to show up.
Here’s to a year of unwavering belief in yourself.
Happy New Year.