Have you ever thought to yourself, hm, there are so many things I want to do, but I can’t right now, so you put those dreams aside? Some time passes, you look back, and you realize that you still haven’t gotten around to them. In fact, you may have completely forgotten about them! You got too busy, or just had other things to focus on. It happens.
Maybe you want to remember your goals without all the seriousness of planning it all out, or you need some inspiration, or a reminder to come back to it later. If any of those sound like you, a vision board might be the solution. It’s a custom artistic curation of all your goals, from serious to silly, specific to broad, in whatever aesthetic you choose. Through a mix of text and visual you can target the specificity of whatever goals or wishes you want to remember. You can add something as specific as, “I want to learn to cook 10 new dishes in a year” to just a picture of a smiley face as a reminder to stay positive. Other than the ability to customize your board, there are many benefits to vision boarding.
Creating your board can help you actively explore what you want out of your goal and serve as the first steps to planning. And having a tangible attachment to your visions for the future can serve as a gentle reminder of your plans, especially if you place it somewhere it will catch your attention.
Crafting a board can also help you feel inspired. Let’s say one of your goals is spend more time outside, and to reflect this, you’ve put an image of one of your favorite outdoor places like the beach or a garden. While that might not be your actual outdoor destination, every time you look at the board you’re building positive associations with your goal which can manifest itself in a desire to fulfill it.
Once you make the board, you’re already taking a big step in whatever it is you wanted to accomplish. It goes from being a passive thought to something you’ve acted on, even if it’s indirectly. It can also have a similar effect to journaling giving your mind a release from something that may be taking up too much space in your mind that you want to put towards other things.
Convinced? Great, then it’s easy to get started! Some commonly used items for vision boards are:
- Clipping (magazines/photos/anything you can get your hands on)
- Writing materials (pens, markers, pencils, paint-markers)
- Poster board, paper, cardboard or anything similar
- Adhesives (tape, washing tape, glitter glue, stickers)
- Scissors
This is just a small list of easy to find materials, but if you’re having trouble finding materials you can even try making a virtual vision board. Do whatever you’d need to tailor a board to your own needs. wants, and goals.
Good luck, and happy boarding!
WRITTEN BY: Kris Sanders, Empowerteen Creative Writer Intern
Want to make you own vision board with your peers in a safe, nonjudgemental and fun environment?
Join us at the FREE Annual Empowerteen Vision Board Party where you get to make your own board and enjoy free pizza, snacks, and refreshments as well as music, photo booth, games tables, raffles, free giveaways and make new friends!
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