Whether you have a career ambition, personal growth goals, travel bucket list, or you simply feel like your life needs more direction, vision boards are an excellent tool to help you stay focused on creating the life of your dreams. In fact, a 2019 study in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health suggests that vision boards encourage self-expression and confidence in our ability to achieve our goals.
Featuring a collage of images, drawings, and other visuals, vision boards serve as a powerful visual representation of your goals and dreams. While creating a vision board representing your ideal life can seem daunting at first, there are many tips and tricks to make it a fun, empowering experience.
BRAINSTORMING IDEAS
Creating your vision board starts by reflecting on your goals, passions, and the life you envision. These might include your dream job, financial goals such as a house or retirement fund, relationships you want to cultivate, and hobbies you’d like to try. Jot down keywords, phrases, and images that resonate with your goals, and dive into magazines, websites, and social media for inspiration. Consider how far into the future you want your vision board to focus – should it represent goals for the coming year or encompass long-term aspirations?
MEDIUM
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the medium for your vision board. Physical boards can range from a poster board, wooden boards, and canvases, to magnetic boards and cork boards. For those who prefer a portable option, consider using a scrapbook or blank notebook. Alternatively, digital vision boards offer the flexibility to update your goals as they evolve. Apps like Canva offer templates and tools to create digital vision boards, while others like MindMovies combine vision boards with visualization videos for an immersive experience. Corkulous is another app that allows users to pin images, notes, and ideas in a visual format.
CONTENT
Next, have fun choosing a variety of images and items that represent your goals and dreams. Find photos and magazine clippings that spark joy and excitement, such as beautiful destinations you want to visit, the house of your dreams, or people engaged in activities you wish to pursue. Personal mementos like travel tickets, concert tickets, postcards, and souvenirs can also add a personal touch and remind you of past achievements and future goals. For more motivation, include inspirational sayings and affirmations to reinforce your belief in your ability to achieve your goals.
LOCATION
Placing your vision board where you will see it often is key to keeping your goals top of mind. Consider keeping your board in your bedroom so you can reflect on your goals each morning and evening, in your home office to stay motivated while working, or on the bathroom mirror for a daily dose of inspiration as you get ready for the day.
*Journal of Creativity in Mental Health