Vision boards are used for inspiration, motivation, hope.  Another commonly used name for vision boards is dream boards. Usually they represent the ideal life we want. There is a popular belief that by creating the vision board we invite the Universe to manifest that life for us. And by seeing the vision board in a prominent place every day, our thoughts are kept on the right track, they are positive, and we are one step closer to getting the life we want. What better time to start thinking about creating a vision board than at the start of the New Year?

Some would argue that vision boards are the same as New Year resolutions but vision boards can be created at any time throughout the year. They also visually speak to the Universe and are that much more powerful because the images are reflected back into the Universe, allowing those exact images to reflect back on your life. If you haven’t yet thought about creating a vision board, read on to see the types of vision boards you can create and let your imagination run wild.

© Natasha Watson | Flickr

Traditional Vision Boards

The best way to get artsy is the old fashioned way – put everything on paper. I find it’s the way to have most fun because you can use so many tools. The bonus is the tangibility of your finished product. If you decide to follow the traditional route, here are some things you may need:

• Poster/Cardboard/Scrapbook paper
• Magazines/Newspapers/Flyers
• Scissors
• Markers/Crayons
• Glue/Paper clips
• Optional: stickers, buttons, pins, magnets, stamps, ribbons

The 5 minute video below is excellent as it walks you through creating a vision board step by step. It also mentions some important things to consider beforehand such as what you really want to accomplish, how you want to feel, and lastly who and what you want to attract in your life. Vision boards are fun but in order for them to work, you really need to put some thought into it.
 

Online Vision Boards

If you don’t have magazines or time to cut the images or buy a board, designing an online vision board may be the best option for you. There are many websites that offer hundreds of templates for free. All you need to do is add pictures, words and background. I should mention that if you plan to go the online route and you are wondering where to find your images, Pinterest is your best bet. The 2 more popular websites that offer free online vision boards are Fototalisman and DreamItAlive. Check them out!

Vision Boards on Mobile Apps

As you might have guessed, there are also mobile apps for designing a vision board. You may need to install a few until you find the right one that suits you. Here are some to get you started:

• Pic-Collage – available on Android and iOs, a social media app that lets you build collages with pics and words, includes themes, icons, backgrounds, and stickers
• VisuApp – available on Android only, includes daily reminders with inspirational quotes, you can name your board and schedule visualization
• Bloom – available on iOS only, more than just a dream board, it helps you throughout the day make the right healthy decisions and to stay focused

Steps To Create A Meaningful Vision Board

1. Prepare

As is suggested in the above video, the key to having everything on your vision board come true is to make it meaningful. Spend 15-30 minutes reflecting on the following:

• What is important for you? What do you want to focus more on?
• What do you want to learn or achieve? Why?
• Which feelings would you like to evoke? Happiness? Belonging? Love? Self-love?
• What kind of relationships do you want to attract? (Think not only of people and animals but also the spiritual world and the self)
• What habits will help you get the life you want?

Once you’ve answered the questions above, choose images and text thoughtfully to align with your answers. A good practice is to divide your board/poster into 4 quadrants: self-growth, career, relationships, and health but of course you are free to choose your own categories. You can also focus on only one theme.

2. Have Fun

Now you are ready to get your hands dirty and enjoy being creative. Play with image and text arrangement as well as the accessories. Once you have arranged everything, you are ready to glue. This step is the most fun!

3. Visualize

In order for the vision board to work for you, you must place it somewhere where you will see it every day. This will help remind you of the things you want and evoke positive thoughts and feelings which are then reflected back into the Universe. If your visual board is at home, you can take a picture of it, and schedule times throughout the day to look at the picture. Never underestimate the power of visualization!

© Ioannis Lelakis | Flickr

One last piece of advice before you venture into this project that will change your life, if you have children, involve them into making a vision board for themselves. I have included my daughter in this process and she enjoyed creating her own vision board as much as I did and probably even more. If you don’t have children, invite friends or cousins over and have a vision board party! Now, there’s an idea.

What is your experience with vision boards? Has it helped you live the life you want? If not, do you plan to create one?