We are ankle deep into 2024. The commotion of the holidays has settled and many of us are grooving into new routines and maybe experiencing a renewed commitment to some lifestyle change or goal (or not and that’s totally cool too). Many feel pressure to set resolutions and commit to some drastic change or regimen (usually with good intention), only to find the intensity unsustainable or draining. I am all about goal setting and working towards meaningful actions AND I also have found visions boards to be an incredibly rewarding, reflective, and intentional alternative to approach the change of seasons. I love it SO much, personally, that I feel it would be a shame to not share this with others who are interested in setting intentions for the new year (or whenever you want or need!).
So, welcome and settle in to embark on a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and mental well-being as we step into this new year. Let's talk about the powerful art of vision boards and how it can be a transformative experience for your mental health and soul.
The Art of Vision Boards
What is a Vision Board?
To boil it down, a vision board is a visual representation of your hopes, aspirations, and goals. It's a collage that brings your thoughts to life, serving as a powerful reminder of the path you want to set forth on. There are literally ZERO BOUNDARIES with this. You cannot mess this up because it is a beautifully lawless process. You can use words, imagery, art, texture, color, or whatever you feel like to create this visual representation. This is your vision and an opportunity to bring it to life through creative arts.
For my family (actually, just my husband, best friend, and I), we have an annual tradition of acquiring lots of random magazines, poster boards, scissors, and glue. We thumb through magazines and gravitate towards words and pictures that speak to each of us. It’s incredible how the process unfolds and evolves, as you continue collecting and cutting pieces to add to your board. There’s typically lots of scraps and glue smudges, but it is worth the inevitable mess (life is messy). We spend a few hours over 2 days and we are intentional in sharing our reflections together and comparing how our vision has evolved from the year prior. There is typically lots of laughter, tears, and appreciation for one another and life itself. It is truly heartwarming and inspiring.
Check out some of our work (shared with permission) from our time this year.
Getting Started: How to Craft Your Vision Board
Gather Your Supplies: Collect magazines, images, quotes, and any other materials that resonate with your aspirations. I recommend finding random materials or magazines that you would normally pass on too. Sometimes the materials that seem completely unrelated or useless end up containing some of the most useful stuff to include (quite the parallel to real life too). Trust your intuition and be open-minded to trusting the process.
Create a Sacred Space: Find a quiet space where you can immerse yourself in the process without distractions. I recommend unplugging from phones or media, so you can be present for an extended period. I always enjoy smooth, flowy music without words and brew some tea or coffee to share and enjoy. Really set the stage for this practice; it makes a difference.
Let Your Intuition Guide You: Allow your inner self to guide your choices. Choose images and words that evoke emotion, reflective thoughts, or that are aligned with your goals and aspirations. You can’t overdo it. If I get the inkling that I like something or would like to include it, I trust it and cut it out. Even if I don’t end up putting it on my board, I at least had the opportunity to reflect on what the image or word brought up for me.
Arrange with Purpose: Assemble your collage with a sense of purpose. What feelings or thoughts do these images evoke? Notice how they compliment one another or if there are certain themes emerging. You might notice a desire to place certain images and words together or on a certain part of your board. Just go with it and see where it takes you.
The Greater Purpose & Connection
Connecting with Yourself
The creative and expressive arts have an organic way of getting us to meet our true selves. We can tap into inner wisdom and practice listening to our intuition as we trust the process our mind and body is engaged in. It is also an opportunity to think flexibly and in abstract ways. Logic is not running the show when we are immersed in the arts, and we can learn to get acquainted with our emotive and imaginative selves. You may be surprised about what your core self illuminates to you during this process.
Setting Intentions
Your vision board becomes a visual representation of the intentions you're setting for the new year. This process can be therapeutic, providing clarity on what truly matters to you. The act of taking this time to be reflective is an incredibly mindful one. You will naturally practice observing your thoughts, emotions, and reactions as you engage in the process. It is important to practice observing your experiences without judgement.
Making Space for Whatever Shows Up
Intentional reflection can open you up to a whole host of experiences; both comfortable and uncomfortable. You may reflect on challenging experiences or loss from years prior or have waves of uncertainty about the future. This is all expected, normal, and NOT a sign that you are doing this wrong (the complete opposite, actually). If you are intentionally allowing yourself to sit with the experience fully, without rejecting or avoiding it, you are doing an amazing job. Allow room for the highs and lows and hold yourself and emotions with tender, self-compassionate awareness. You will get distracted at times and that’s okay, give yourself permission to turn your mind and attention back to the process and take breaks when you need to.
Bringing Your Vision to Life
After you have completed the process and feel satisfied with where you have landed, take a step back and observe your work. Notice the flow and meaning behind what you have envisioned and constructed. You can either share your reflections aloud with others, to yourself, or journal your thoughts and feelings about the process. Allow these new insights to help guide goals or directions on your path. You can create more concrete actionable goals or allow these intentions to influence your choices as the moment calls for it.
Daily Affirmations
Place your vision board in a spot where you can see it daily. Let it be a source of inspiration and a reminder of your journey and the hopes you hold near and dear to you. Take moments to reflect on the images and words, reaffirming your commitment to your well-being or goals. When times get tough (they inevitability will at some point, because we are human), it can be affirming and uplifting to reorient yourself to the hopes held by your vision board.
A Year of Growth
As we delve into the practice of creating vision boards, remember that this isn't just about setting goals; it's about fostering an intentional, reflective, and nurturing environment for values, intuition, and mental health to thrive. Embrace the journey, celebrate the small victories, and let your vision board be a guiding light on your path of self-discovery and growth this year. I hope you feel inspired to give this creative process a try and can unlock new hopes and understanding for yourself.
May this new year bring you healing, peace, warmth, and greater connection to your humanity. May you feel held in community and know your unique place in this world.
Emily Brewster, MSW, LICSW, MHP
Emily Brewster is the founder, owner, & therapist at Light of the Moon Counseling, PLLC. Emily offers individual mental health therapy services via telehealth to adults dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. She is a US Army Veteran and is passionate about educating others about mental health and effective strategies to find relief.
Commentaires