Wanderlust & shutter bliss

Goal setting has always been a game-changer for me. There’s something incredibly powerful about writing down what you want from life—it takes those big, vague dreams and turns them into something tangible. Not only does it make your goals feel more achievable, but it also gives you a roadmap for how to get there. For me and my partner, setting goals together has helped us align our dreams for the future, and it’s given us a way to move forward with purpose and intention.

Our conversations often center around where we want to live, what we want our careers to look like, and the exciting yet daunting idea of starting a family. We’re not getting any younger, and these are decisions we can’t put off forever. Writing down these goals—and discussing them—has given us a sense of clarity and urgency that pushes us toward action. Here’s what we’ve been dreaming of and planning for the future.

Writing Down Our Goals: Turning Dreams into Action

The process of writing down goals isn’t just about listing a few things we want to achieve; it’s about clarifying our vision and creating a strategy to make it happen. Every time we put pen to paper or type out a goal, it feels more real. It forces us to think about the “why” behind our goals and, more importantly, the steps we need to take to get there.

As we think about the future, we’ve realized there are a few key areas that need our attention: where we want to live, how we want to reshape our careers, and when we’ll start our family. Writing these down has helped us focus on what really matters and, honestly, has given us the push to stop procrastinating.

Where Do We Want to Live: The City or the Ocean?

One of the most exciting—and sometimes challenging—discussions we’ve had is about where we see ourselves living. There are two very different lifestyles we’re drawn to: the city and the ocean.

My partner loves the energy, convenience, and endless opportunities that come with city living. The idea of being close to everything, from restaurants and events to work and social circles, holds a certain appeal. On the flip side, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of living by the ocean—the idea of waking up to the sound of waves, having space to breathe, and enjoying the slower pace of life.

This is where writing down our goals has really helped. By putting it on paper, we can see what each option means for us.

1. The City: We both agree that the vibrancy and accessibility of the city is alluring. But, it also comes with its challenges—higher living costs, crowded spaces, and the never-ending rush. We know that city living requires us to be go-go-go all the time, and while that’s appealing in some ways, it doesn’t always leave room for peace and relaxation.
2. By the Ocean: The ocean calls to us for a different reason—more space, tranquility, and connection to nature. We could envision a life where weekends are spent walking along the beach, enjoying a slower pace, and having room to breathe. But, it’s not without its own set of challenges—less access to certain jobs, higher property prices in some coastal areas, and less social energy.

Writing down the pros and cons of both options has helped us see that we don’t need to make an immediate choice. We’ve decided to take the next few years to explore both options, looking for a place that offers a balance of city perks and coastal calm. A smaller coastal city might be our sweet spot, where we can have the best of both worlds.

Changing Jobs: Pursuing Happiness and Fulfillment

Our careers have always been a source of both pride and frustration. While we’ve both achieved some level of success, we’ve reached a point where we want to make a change—to find work that is not only satisfying but fulfilling.

We don’t want to wake up one day regretting the hours spent in jobs that didn’t make us feel alive. Our goal isn’t just to “work for the weekend,” but to enjoy the work we do every day. Writing down our career goals has helped us clarify what we’re really after.

1. What Do We Want? For me, it’s about shifting toward something more creative and impactful. I’ve been thinking about how to align my work with my passions and purpose. My partner, on the other hand, is looking to shift into a role that offers more flexibility and room for growth.
2. Making the Transition: The next step is to take concrete actions to make these career shifts happen. Whether it’s going back to school, taking on new projects, or networking more aggressively, we’ve written down the steps we need to take. We’ve both set a timeline to start exploring new roles within the next 6-12 months, and we’re giving ourselves permission to pivot if necessary.
3. Feeling Fulfilled: At the end of the day, we want work that aligns with our values and passions. Writing down this goal has given us both the clarity we needed to start making moves toward a career that makes us feel truly satisfied.

Starting a Family: It’s Time to Make It Happen

Another big topic on our minds is the idea of starting a family. It’s something we’ve both always wanted, but life has a way of pushing things aside—until suddenly, you realize that time is ticking. We’re not getting any younger, and the reality is that the longer we wait, the harder it may be to achieve everything we want.

We’ve been talking about when the right time is to start this new chapter of our lives. We both agree that it’s something we want to do sooner rather than later, but it’s important to feel prepared, both emotionally and financially.

Writing down our thoughts on starting a family has helped us outline what we need to do:

1. The Timing: We’ve agreed that we want to start trying for a family within the next year or so. This feels like the right time for us, but it also means we have to make sure we’re both on solid footing—career-wise, financially, and emotionally—before we take the plunge.
2. Preparing Ourselves: Beyond just “getting pregnant,” we’ve discussed the kind of parents we want to be, how we envision balancing work and family life, and what kind of environment we want to create for our future children. Writing this down has been so helpful in getting on the same page and figuring out the practical steps we need to take, like saving for the future, adjusting our lifestyle, and making time for each other.
3. Not Waiting Too Long: We both know that waiting too long isn’t the answer. We’re conscious of the fact that age can affect our ability to conceive, so we’ve agreed to make this a priority in our plans.

Discussing Goals Together: Alignment and Action

Perhaps the most valuable part of all this has been discussing our goals with each other. Writing them down is one thing, but the conversations we’ve had about them have brought us closer. We talk about what we each want, listen to each other’s hopes and fears, and figure out how to make our dreams align.

These open, honest discussions keep us on the same page. They keep us motivated and inspired to make the necessary changes, even when things get difficult.

How Long Will It Take to Get There?

We’re not pretending that all of this will happen overnight. But with each goal we’ve written down, we’ve also set a timeline to guide us:

• Where We’ll Live: We aim to have our living situation settled in the next 2-3 years, whether that’s finding the perfect coastal town or balancing city life with some ocean peace.
• Career Changes: Within the next 6-12 months, we plan to start actively seeking new career opportunities and making moves toward roles that align with our passions.
• Starting a Family: We’re looking to start trying within the next year, once we’ve set up a stable foundation.

Final Thoughts: Moving Forward with Intention

Writing down our goals has been a powerful exercise, one that has given us clarity, motivation, and the courage to pursue the life we truly want. We’ve stopped putting things off, stopped waiting for the “perfect time,” and started taking steps toward the future we’ve always dreamed of.

Whether it’s choosing where to live, changing careers, or starting a family, the important thing is that we’re actively working toward our shared vision. Time is precious, and we know that if we keep aligning our actions with our goals, we’ll create the life we want sooner rather than later.

And that’s exactly what we plan to do—move forward with intention, dream big, and make our future happen.