Have you ever made a vision board?
Let's map out your dreams for 2025!
A little cardboard collage sits on my desk and stares at me daily. I made it last December. It holds clippings from magazines, art, and quotes I collected. When I wake up and sip my coffee, I list things I need to do that day and will catch a glimpse of my board. I will add something to that list to squeeze into the margins of my day. It is the holder of my dreams. And while I might not have achieved everything on it, I will steer myself in that direction over the years to come. Some items will be carried into 2025. Some new things will be added.
This is not about pasting million-dollar homes and big checks on them, hoping they magically appear. It is about digging deep inside you to discover what you daydream about. When you tune out the noise of what you are supposed to do, what do you hear? It’s been there all along. You just need to listen and open yourself up to the possibilities.
Do you recall all the things you loved as a child? All those things you did that made time disappear? As we get older, we lose sight of those things. We adult. Some of us adult so much we don’t permit ourselves to play. To dream. And this does not have to be tied to money. Money gives us the freedom to do more in life and a certain amount is necessary to lay the foundation of a stable life from which good things can grow. But it can’t fix you. Your emptiness will follow you when you have more money in the bank. The only things that fill us up are our dreams. We have to take steps to fulfill them. To create something from nothing is everything. Whatever that means to you. We thrive when we are pursuing the things that light us up. And we are NEVER too old to do so.
What is a vision board?
It is a collage of words, photos, pictures, and quotes that represent your dreams. You don’t have to be a visual artist to make one. You only need some scissors, glue, and to think big. You can even do a digital visual vision board by creating a board in Canva or Pinterest. I would suggest the process of printing things out and working with your hands. But don’t let it prevent you from trying.
This is my process…
I like to set aside time when no one will disturb me. I make a hot beverage, put on music, and have a few hours set aside to work. In other words, me time. It is also super fun to do with a close friend. In fact, this year I am inviting my art group of friends to join me on zoom to create ours.
Braindump: List all the things you would love to do. Nothing is too big. These are career goals (be a NYT Bestselling author), travel (spend a month in a foreign country), and personal (meditate daily). You can even list things you would love to try (plant an herb garden). You never know where they might lead you.
Prioritize my list: What things have you carried with you but don’t want anymore? Ditch them. What things are you afraid to write down because they are never going to happen? Be sure to include those. They may not happen in one year - but down the road.
Collect images/quotes: Find images and quotes that resonate with you. I have a small journal of quotes I collect. I go on Pinterest to find interesting images. I have a box of magazines, found papers, and scraps. I print out the digital items and add them to my pile.
Collage: I take a stiff piece of cardstock about the size of a letter sheet of paper. But please go bigger if you like. Many people have poster-sized vision boards. I like little things. I like to sit it on my desk right in my eye line and catch sight of it. And to be honest, I’m very private with it. I don’t want people looking at it and seeing the inside of my soul. 😊 And if I hide it away - I might forget it exists.
Your Vision: How you make this board is all up to you. There are no rules that guide your dreams. This is a board of inspiration. So get inspired. You want to draw things on it, paint it, or just make it all images, go for it. Don’t let the process stop you. If glue and scissors are too much, do it digitally.
First, I would like to say there is something about sitting with all your art supplies and creating this by hand. It feels playful and makes me feel like a kid again. That being said, there is no shame in making one digitally. I went on Canva* to find examples to show you. It is a platform that has free options. You can use a template on Canva and fill it up. Or use their layouts as inspiration and dream up your own. This is for you. It is not for anyone else. No one has to see it. So make it for you. And use the process that makes it fun.
Some samples found on Canva are below. They have free ones and ones you have to be a paying member to use. But it is also good for inspiration in creating your own.
I hope you take the time to dream up a vision board. Just seeing mine daily inspires me. It reminds me of where I’m headed when I get lost. And even if I don’t check everything off at the end of the year, I’ve started on the pathway there.
Until Next Time ✨
Kim
Really enjoyed this Kim....especially how you describe your process/thoughts for building your board