At the beginning of 2022, I had a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish, but I was getting tired of the concept of a traditional New Year’s Resolution. Resolutions have never really worked for me, which I’m sure is a very relatable statement, but I still enjoy the “fresh-slate” feeling that a new year brings. All the while, the concept of vision boards had been floating around my TikTok For You page. I had previously heard about vision boards, but never really took the time to think one through to completion… until this year.
If you’re not familiar, a vision board is basically a poster board full of pictures that represent goals that you would like to accomplish, or how you would envision your “dream life.” It’s rooted in the practice of manifestation, which has been gaining a lot of popularity online lately. For my research, I scoured the content of creators on YouTube and TikTok who were sharing their experience with vision boards. The general consensus of their accounts was that they are meant to keep the vision of your goals in your life, hanging on a wall that you will see every day; hence the name. Some people may refer to this project as a dream board, like YouTuber Amber Scholl. She has made vision board videos since 2016 and has many videos about how manifestation practices have changed her life.
I had been following Amber Scholl for a while and I thought that the vision board concept was interesting, but assumed that it was reserved for people who had already established themselves in a career and an “adult life.” To me, it seemed more like a to-do list for people with their life already together. As a college student, it’s easy to feel imposter syndrome when you are referred to as “an adult” when you feel like you’re still trying to figure out life in general. That is the main reason I was drawn away from making a vision board of my own. However, in Scholl’s video titled “Making My 2021 Dream Board!” she reminds her viewers, “the key to vision boards, mood boards, and everything is that the board doesn’t work unless you do… It’s a reminder for you to believe [and] do the things on the board.”
So, I did just that. I took action, headed to the craft store for some supplies, and the rest is history! If you’re looking to make a vision board for yourself, here’s my advice:
1. You Don’t need Properly Printed Pictures
Another reason I was hesitant to make a vision board was the fact that I didn’t want to pay to get pictures printed on nice, glossy photo paper. The goals are there no matter how they look! I printed mine off at home, on normal paper, and even in black and white.
2. Use Pinterest!
Pinterest came in clutch when planning for my vision board. Many of you may already have a “#goals” Pinterest board, so just print those pictures out! If not, just search up your goals and find your fave pictures!
3. Make It Cute!
Find craft supplies like card stock and markers that represent your favorite colors and patterns, or you could even theme it! Making it your own will help you stay encouraged, and it’s a great opportunity to add some crafty flair to your bedroom wall!
As I was researching for my vision board, I also ran into other manifestation techniques. One that stood out to me, in particular, was gratitude practice. In short, gratitude practice focuses on acknowledging the things that you already have in your life to maintain a positive, high vibrational energy in your life as you work towards your goals. It works well in tandem with a vision board, as it wards off the imposter syndrome that can make reaching goals so difficult by reminding you that you have been blessed with so much already! To engage in a gratitude practice, take time each day to write down what you are grateful for. You can start with one, or write as many as you would like! It can be as simple as “warm showers” or “cupcakes,” just write whatever comes to mind each day.
I have been waking up to see the vision board on my wall and writing in my gratitude notebook for about a month at this point, and I definitely recommend both! The board is so encouraging and has started to pay off already, not even a full month after its creation. The notebook has been eye-opening and helped so much with keeping a positive outlook on my present and future. If anyone takes anything from this article, let it be a quote from vision board queen, Amber Scholl: “What if it doesn’t come true? Oh, but what if it does?”