I was first introduced to vision boards around 2018 when Rachel Hollis published, Girl, Wash Your Face.
After reading her book, I dived into her inspirational social media content and podcast, and continued to read her books like Girl, Stop Apologizing and Didn’t See That Coming.
Hollis talks a lot about taking an audit of your year, and really figuring out what things you want to stop and start doing for the following year. I never did take an audit as she suggested with a planner, but creating a vision board for what I hope to accomplish in that year, or in my life was something that I was drawn to.
The way I created it then was buying a big white board with magazines. Then, I cut out words or images that spoke to me. From what I remember, I had workout inspiration, wanted to drink more water, I had my dream house with a wrap around porch (something I still want to build off my new house someday). I had the word “family” on there because Drake and I were married and I was ready for babies.
I hung the poster on the wall next to my side of the bed. At the time, Drake and I were in an apartment in Spencer.
I’m not sure it was only the vision but in a few short months, Drake and I completed an 80 Day fitness and nutrition challenge, I became pregnant in March 2019 and we bought our first house in July 2019 - all things I envisioned and wanted for the New Year.
The body achieves what the mind believes
Beyond just the vision board, Hollis also created Start Today journal which outlined 10 things that you wanted to achieve but you wrote them like you already accomplished them. I still believe that most of what I did accomplish was because I had a vision of what I wanted.
Putting your goals on paper in a visual or written format can help you achieve them. Visualization can truly help you get where you want.
According to Psychology Today, a study on weightlifters found that the patterns activated in the brain when a weightlifter lifted 100s of pounds were similarly activated when they imagined lifting.
When you actively visual a goal as already being accomplished, you are that much closer to doing it. Often times, it’s our lack of self confidence or past experiences that we tend to focus on that hold us back from greatness.
Practice visualizing
Because we are in such a digital world today, I decided to do something different for 2023.
Instead of going out and buying a board with magazine photos, I got an idea to use Canva to create a digital vision board that I can save as my phone Lock Screen background.
I use my phone every day so I know I will see it daily. I also can update it throughout the year or years based on what I really need to focus on.
So, you might ask, how did I start?
How do you know what to put on your board?
It is still a work in progress but I wanted to share a few tips.
1. Select a word or words for your New Year.
When you think about your life, what are some words that come to mind that you want - Joy. Love. Success - whatever comes to mind. Write them down.
Create your list of words to review. It can be words about who you are as a person or how you want to live your life. Whatever sparks in you.
2. Choose photos that reflect those words.
Once you have those words, you can narrow them down to 3-5 that you really want to focus on for your year.
From there select photos from your life, take photos or search on Pinterest or Google that fit those words.
You also can pick photos of your hopes and dreams. There is no limit or restrictions.
This is personal to you. You don’t have to be “realistic.” It’s all about focusing on what you really want in life because as they say, “reach for the moon and you are still among the stars.”
3. Create your vision.
As I said, I created my digital board using Canva. You can download the app for free and search for collages already built or start from scratch.
If you prefer to be more hands on, feel free to grab a bulletin board/cardboard with some magazines or online photos printed, and create your board.
Start today
This message might be coming to you in the beginning of January but you can create a vision for your life any time of year.
You just need to start now.
There are a lot of different ways to create a board of your dreams and goals. I encourage you to bring visualization into your life.
Taking 10-15 minutes (or even 60 seconds) out of your day to focus on goals and imagine your best life will help you to continue to build confidence and clarity on your wants.
None of these visualization will turn into reality instantaneously but it’s small steps you can take toward a better future.
Stay simply confident,
Kayla