How I Made My New Year’s Vision Board, and Why You Should Too

The older I get, the more I find myself fairly obsessed with carpe diem-ing and living intentionally. Without waxing too poetic, I spend a lot of time thinking about the notion that this life is the only one we get, and it’s our responsibility to take the reins and live it fully.  

Pair this day-seizing with the turn of a new year, and I turn into a strange combination of Oprah, Deepak Chopra, and Tom and Donna from “Parks and Rec”. This year, as I compiled my resolutions for 2016, I decided to create a vision board. Because science assured me it would be an excellent visualization tool, and something that would feed the fire in my belly.

Are you still with me? Yes? Okay. Here’s what took place:

Step

I read several articles about vision boards that were inspiring. Here are my two favorites:

 

• The Reasons Vision Boards Work and How to Make One
• How Writing Down Specific Goals Can Empower You

Step

For me, the most meaningful part of the exercise was the focus on feeling. Rather than thinking about the things I wanted to garner or achieve, I focused on the way I wanted to feel. 

I spent a few days mulling (errrr … fully obsessing) over quotes I wanted to steer my year. I settled on three. The first was a more refined version of my daily mantra (feeling grateful). The second was sparked by/directed at my work on Curbly (feeling inspired). And, the third was a mind-shift I’m trying to harness (feeling ‘yas queen’ and intrepid). 

 

 

Step  

I vision-boarded with a dear friend. This was probably the most meaningful part of the process, because we were both fully invested in the project. Having a partner to work alongside created an opportunity for us to have essential conversations; in fact, some of my ‘visions’ were born from – or reframed by – these tête-à-têtes.

Visually mapping your future is vulnerable work, and it deserves your most open heart. You have to be unselfconscious. You have to feel buoyed.

Step 

When the time came to create our boards, we kept it simple. We used 18×24″ canvases and Mod Podge. We had a printer at the ready for last minute inspirations. We brought magazine clippings, pretty papers, photographs, and important memorabilia.

 

Step

We did simple things to create a beautiful environment. We drank drinks. Tasted treats. Listened to Beyoncé. Lit candles. Brought flowers. We created a pretty space to make the exercise feel extra ceremonial. 

 

Step

We displayed our boards in prominent places. The key to making your vision board successful is keeping it within view. Choose a spot that will catch your eye throughout the day. 

I’m undecided when it comes to how much I want to explain my board to all who enter my home, so I placed it in our studio, above my desk. And, I took a picture of it and made it my phone wallpaper so that it’s the first thing I see when I reach for my phone.

Having just completed the board, I’m not yet sure how it will guide my year. But, I know that every time I look at it I feel excited. And inspired. And resolute.

Have you ever created a vision board? If so, please tell me all about it in the comments. I wanna hear about your experiences.