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How to Create a Meaningful Life

We have the power to change our lives at any moment.


January is traditionally when we focus on the status of our lives, eagerly crafting big goals. But how often do those goals feel like a mismatch come February? We’re knee-deep in frustration or disillusionment, berating ourselves for not magically becoming the ultra-productive, habit-tracking version of ourselves we envisioned.


I’ve experienced this way too many times.


A few years ago, I decided to approach my life differently, planning with purpose and setting goals without the weight of unrealistic expectations. I began to assess my life regularly—long-term, short-term, and daily. I won't lie and say I don't also have a planning blast in January, but I now create meaningful goals whenever my soul craves a change.


Asking myself a simple, transformative question:


What kind of life am I creating, and why?


This became the cornerstone of what I now call Big Picture Planning—a method of goal-setting rooted in clarity, intention, and beauty. It’s less about what’s trending and more about building a life on our terms.


Like an artist standing before a blank canvas, we each have the power to create the masterpiece of our lives, one thoughtful brushstroke at a time.


So, how do you begin Big Picture Planning to create a meaningful life?

Here are 8 steps to help you get started.


Pause, breathe, and be. Learning to live slow in a fast-paced world.


1. Create a Vision for Your Life


Everything begins with a vision. Close your eyes and imagine your ideal life—how do you want it to feel, look, and unfold? This isn’t just about checking off achievements; it’s about how you experience your relationships, your health, your personal growth, and even how you spend your time.


  • Ask yourself: What do I want my legacy to be?


Journaling can help make this vision clearer. I love to imagine the stories I’ll tell when I’m old and grey, reflecting on the moments that have shaped me. Once I have this vision, I take it a step further and make it visual with a Pinterest board called "My One Beautiful Life," which I update and print yearly as a reminder of where I’m headed.


  • Action Step: Start your own vision board—whether digital or physical. Bring your dreams to life visually, and let them serve as a guiding light for the future you’re creating.



 


2. Set Meaningful Goals


Now that you have your vision, it’s time to break it down into meaningful goals. Goals serve as the stepping stones that turn your vision into reality. But rather than rushing into timelines or putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, give these goals time to evolve.


  • Ask yourself: What steps will I need to take to get closer to the life I've envisioned?


I focus on key areas like professional ambitions, personal relationships, health, and contributions to the community. I write these goals in my journal, letting them breathe before diving into detailed planning.


  • Action Step: Identify a few key goals that align with your vision. Let these goals guide your actions, but remember, they are stepping stones, not a rigid map.



 


3. Theme Your Year (or Season)


Having a guiding theme for the year can be a powerful way to stay aligned with your vision. Instead of focusing on just one word, which can feel restrictive, I like to break my themes into three categories: Internal, External, and Professional.


  • Ask yourself: How do I want to feel and act in different areas of my life?


For instance, my current themes are:

  1. Internal (how I want to feel and experience life): SAVOR

  2. External (how I want to engage with the world around me): DELIGHT

  3. Professional (how I want to approach my career): CONFIDENT


I print these themes and my vision board, keeping them visible to remind me of the direction I’m heading.


  • Action Step: Choose a theme (or three!) for your life right now. Allow these themes to be flexible and adapt as you grow throughout the year.



 


4. Break Your Goals into Small, Manageable Steps


While having big, meaningful goals is key, the real magic happens in the small, consistent steps you take toward those goals. Many people get overwhelmed by the big picture and freeze up, unsure of where to begin. The antidote? Breaking things down into bite-sized actions.


  • Ask yourself: What can I do this week to move toward one of my goals?


For example, if your goal is to build a healthier lifestyle, start by focusing on drinking more water or taking a daily walk, instead of overhauling your entire routine at once. Small, sustainable changes create a ripple effect, leading to bigger shifts over time.


  • Action Step: Identify one small action you can take this week that will bring you closer to your vision. Write it down and commit to it.



 


5. Check In with Yourself Regularly


One mistake people often make is setting goals and then forgetting about them. Checking in with yourself is crucial to stay aligned with your vision and adapt as needed. Whether it’s a daily or weekly journaling practice or a monthly reflection, these check-ins allow you to course-correct, celebrate progress, and adjust your goals to fit where you are now.


  • Ask yourself: What’s working? What’s not? What do I need to adjust?


This process also helps you stay motivated and keeps burnout at bay. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and being flexible with your goals ensures that you can stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.


  • Action Step: Schedule regular "life check-ins" with yourself (actually put them on your calendar!) Set aside 10-15 minutes weekly or monthly to reflect on your goals, progress, and any necessary adjustments.



 


6. Balance Ambition with Rest


For many creative entrepreneurs and women juggling multiple roles, there’s often a tendency to push too hard and neglect self-care. But creating a meaningful life also means knowing when to rest. Slower living and intentional breaks allow your mind to reset, leading to more creativity and deeper fulfillment.


  • Ask yourself: Am I making time for rest and reflection?


Make sure your plans include moments for rest—whether that’s setting aside time each week for activities that nurture your soul (like painting, reading, or being in nature) or incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.


  • Action Step: Schedule intentional rest into your week. Think of rest as part of your overall strategy for living a meaningful life—it’s just as important as any action step.



 


7. Celebrate Progress (Not Just Results)


Sometimes we get so focused on the outcome that we forget to celebrate the progress we’re making along the way. Recognize the small victories: every step forward is part of the journey toward a meaningful life.


  • Ask yourself: How can I celebrate my progress today?


Whether it's treating yourself to something special, journaling about your wins, or sharing your milestones with a friend or mentor, celebrating progress will keep your motivation high and prevent burnout.


  • Action Step: Celebrate a recent achievement, no matter how small. Write about it in your journal, treat yourself to something joyful, or simply reflect on it with gratitude.



 


8. Create a Support System


Building a meaningful life isn’t something you have to do alone. Having a support system—whether that’s friends, mentors, or fellow creatives—can help you stay on track, provide accountability, and offer encouragement during tough times.


  • Ask yourself: Who can I lean on for support?


Whether you’re joining a community of like-minded individuals, working with a coach, or simply staying in touch with a friend who shares your goals, having people in your corner makes a huge difference.


  • Action Step: Reach out to someone in your support system today—whether for encouragement, advice, or simply to share where you are on your journey.


Finding Peace and Living Slow in a Fast-Paced World


Resources to Get Started:


  • Download my FREE Big Picture Planning Worksheet: Use this tool to break your big-picture vision into small, meaningful action steps.


  • Need guidance? The Clear Mind Journal re-launches November 15th and is the perfect tool designed to help you find clarity and focus on what truly matters.


  • Feeling stuck? Let’s work together through my 1:1 coaching sessions or join my 12-week coaching program to go deeper into crafting your life’s masterpiece.



You have everything you need to create a life that is meaningful and yours. Now, let’s get started!


xo, Chloé



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Hi, I'm Chloé

I grew my business during the height of hustle culture and welp, you guessed it... I burned out.

I rested. Not by choice, but by pandemic.

I realized enough was enough - the culture of work for creative entrepreneurs has to change.

I deep-dived into understanding why women are more susceptible to the continual destruction of overwhelm, resulting in me creating The Clear Mind Journal and rediscovering a love for my craft.

Campaigning for margin, joy, intentionality, and most importantly, a clear mind.

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