As the Earth completes another orbit of the Sun, we naturally look ahead. Preferably with hope and optimism – although that can be challenging in these trying times.
It’s always around his time of year (December / January) that I like to create a vision board (or two).
Holding space to take a beat, reflect on the year that has almost ended and what I want from the year ahead.
On this day next year, what do I want to be able to say I have achieved.
What is a Vision Board
A vision board is a creative tool used to help clarify, focus, maintain motivation, and set your intentions – in this case, for the year ahead.
It’s essentially a visual representation of your dreams, desires, and aspirations, created by assembling images, words, and other elements that inspire you.
But it’s not just something you do to visualise your New Year’s Resolutions, you can do them at any time or for many reasons.
I like to create full page spreads in my journals, but you can also create them on a large piece of paper or card and display them somewhere prominent to motivate and inspire you.
I have them in my journal, which I use as my ‘day book’ so I can flick back and look at them regularly.
I also played with Word Clouds, taking words from my vision board and putting them into WordArt online word cloud platform.
Features of a Vision Board
Visual Focus
Fill it with images, phrases, or objects that symbolise your goals, intentions, to set the tone, or the feelings you want to evoke.
Personalisation
Each vision board is unique and reflects the creator’s personal aspirations, whether related to career, relationships, health, travel, or personal growth.
Physical or Digital
Vision boards can be made on paper or card, or digitally using tools like Canva or Pinterest.
Personally, I believe they should be done physically by finding images and words and cutting them up. The physical act is one of play and creativity which activates different areas of the brain. Plus, any activity that takes us away from screens for a while has multiple benefits for our wellbeing.
You can always make them digital afterwards.
Benefits of Vision Boards
Clarity: define what you want and what is important to you
Permission: giving yourself permission to daydream and play for a while does wonders for your mental health.
Motivation: Seeing your aspirations displayed can be a daily reminder to take action
Manifestation: It’s often associated with the idea of the law of attraction, which suggests that focusing on your goals helps bring them to reality.
Joy of play: It’s just fun to cut up pictures and words and turn them into something visually engaging
Top Tips to Create Vision Boards
- Keep a stock of old magazines so you always have resources to draw from
- Junk mail and advertising can be a surprising resource as often the words and images are positive and action orientated because they want to entice you to buy stuff.
- Keep any words or scraps that resonate but don’t fit on your board, you can always use them as journal prompts or on future vision boards
- Collect stickers and washi tape – these are quick and easy ephemera to add aesthetic to your vision board. Washi tape is also useful to divide your board up
- Have an ‘art box’ with glue, scissors and scraps
How to Make a Vision Board:
- Set Intentions: Reflect on what you want to achieve in the near or long-term future. Where do you want to be this time next year?
- Gather Materials: Collect magazines, printouts, photos, quotes, and other inspiring items. I always keep a stock of old magazines and add to it regularly so I have plenty of resources to draw from. I have also run Vision Board workshops for groups of entrepreneurs, which gives me the perfect excuse to hoard pretty things for ‘work’.
- Curate: Once you’ve gathered a pile of scraps, you must choose what to use, how to use it and what to discard. This sifting process forces you to make decisions and focus on the key elements and aesthetics
- Create: Arrange and glue these items onto your board in a way that resonates with you.
- Display: Place your vision board somewhere visible to remind you of your goals daily.
Having a Vision Board
What’s the point?
Firstly, there is great value on looking back and celebrating past achievements, but equally, if we take time to think about stepping into the future with intention we can focus our energy on moving forward in a positive direction that we want to take, instead of drifting along on the treadmill simply existing.
I republished an old blog on Vision and Vanity HERE to inspire me.
Vision Boards are More than Manifesting
A vision board is more than just a collection of inspiring images, words, and ideas pasted onto a piece of paper.
Visualisation is more than manifesting. It’s about imagining yourself doing or being something, but I’m not vain enough to think that by just imagine something it will come true. This is about setting intentions and having something to focus on. By crafting a vision board, you create a tangible representation of your goals, passions, and aspirations, helping you align your daily actions with your long-term vision. You can then build your goals, plans and plot your steps to make it happen.
1. Clarifies Your Goals
The process of creating a vision board forces you to articulate your dreams and desires. Instead of vague aspirations like “I want to be successful,” you’ll identify specific, meaningful goals—whether it’s owning a cozy home, starting a creative business, or traveling to your dream destinations. This clarity provides a clear direction for your energy and efforts.
2. Boosts Motivation and Focus
Placing your vision board somewhere you’ll see it regularly serves as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards. The visual and emotional connection to your goals helps you stay motivated, even when challenges arise. Seeing your dreams represented in vivid colors and imagery keeps you focused on the bigger picture.
3. Activates the Law of Attraction
Vision boards are rooted in the principles of visualisation and the law of attraction. By imagining yourself living the life you desire, you send positive energy into the universe and set the stage for manifesting those dreams. This practice encourages you to think and act as if your goals are already achievable, fostering a mindset of success. If you can imagine yourself doing something or being somewhere, you are more likely to make it happen
4. Encourages Creativity and Self-Expression
Designing a vision board is an inherently creative activity. When you’re cutting out magazine clippings or arranging photographs, you’re using art to express your aspirations. This creative process not only makes the activity enjoyable but also helps you tap into your intuition and inner desires.
Even if you don’t think of yourself as ‘creative’, you can still express yourself without the pressure of perfection or needing artistic skills.
5. Provides Emotional and Mental Clarity
Life can feel overwhelming with competing priorities and distractions. A vision board acts as a grounding tool, allowing you to step back and reflect on what truly matters. By narrowing your focus, you gain emotional clarity and reduce feelings of stress or indecision.
6. Builds Accountability
When your goals are visually displayed, you’re more likely to take actionable steps toward achieving them. A vision board acts as a form of self-accountability—it’s a daily nudge to work toward your dreams. It also makes it easier to share your goals with others, creating opportunities for collaboration and support.
7. Fosters Positive Mindset
A vision board is a celebration of possibilities and positivity. It encourages you to think optimistically and believe in your potential. This shift in perspective can improve your overall mental health, as focusing on positive outcomes reduces anxiety and builds confidence.
8. Tracks Your Growth
As time passes, you may realise you’ve achieved many of the items on your vision board. This serves as a reminder of your progress and growth. Revisiting and updating your board allows you to reflect on how your goals and priorities evolve, giving you a renewed sense of purpose.
Final Thoughts
Creating a vision board isn’t just an artistic exercise—it’s an empowering ritual that can transform your mindset and your life. It allows you to dream big while staying grounded in what you truly value. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to reimagine your future, a vision board is the perfect way to harness the power of visualisation and step confidently toward your goals.
So, grab some scissors, glue, and a pile of magazines and start crafting your future today!