As seen in the pages of Sweet July Magazine. Story by Bethany Heitman. Get the Reunion Issue here!
Maya Angelou once said, “Ask for what you want, and be prepared to get it.” The prolific poet was on to something. Putting your hopes and dreams out into the world has a funny way of making things happen, which is why creating a vision board can be so powerful. Visualizing all the things you want is nice, but a physical presentation—something to look at every day—can help encourage you to go after those things and remind you why you wanted them in the first place.
Not only that, it may actually encourage you to dream bigger. “Your mind is naturally designed to keep you safe, which can frequently lead to thinking smaller and reducing exposure to risks,” says Lynn Saladino, Psy.D., a therapist in New York City. “By creating a vision board, you are exercising your ability to think in a bigger, more expansive way.”
More proof that it can really work: “Manifesting has been so crucial in my journey,” says television journalist and fashion designer Nina Parker, who added the plan to start a fashion line to her vision board in 2019. A few months later, she was approached by Reunited Clothing and Macy’s to collaborate, which led to the launch of her eponymous clothing brand. “I think creating a vision board helps streamline your dreams and desires. It’s a major outlet to express exactly what you want. I can’t stress enough how imperative I think they are.”
Sold on the power of a vision board? Now it’s time to create one!
Create your own vision board
A vision board isn’t just about pasting some images together. The goal is to make every addition intentional. These tips will ensure your creation is as powerful as possible.
1. Start with some self-reflection.
Begin by thinking about what you really want your vision board to represent. “Take the time to contemplate your goals, both short-term and longterm,” says Nitika Chopra, a self-love guru, talk show host, and founder of Chronicon, a support community for those living with chronic illness. She suggests asking yourself, “What are your passions, dreams, and aspirations?” Is it a career shift? Are you looking for love? Do you want to take up a new hobby? These are all totally valid things to create a vision board around.
2. Gather your materials.
When you’re ready to start creating, it’s time to gather some supplies. “The best place to start is by looking through magazines with lots of images,” says Saladino. “When you’re drawn to an image, ask yourself, ‘How do I think I’d feel if I had that in my life?’” You can also choose words and quotes that resonate with you or speak to your goal.
3. Begin assembling.
Once you’ve gathered a good amount of clippings, it’s time to start organizing your vision board. You can either affix them to a bulletin board or use a glue stick or tape to adhere them to a large poster board. Your board should reflect you. Are you drawn to things that are bright and bold? Then make a vision board that reflects that. Prefer a more minimalist aesthetic? Keep your board simple and clean.
4. Put it on display.
Once you’ve completed your board, put it somewhere you’ll see it often—like on the wall of your home office or in a special spot in your closet that you’ll see every day while getting ready. “Keeping your goals top of mind will likely bring you more success, so staying connected to your board could really help with this,” says Saladino. “Checking in to see what has come to fruition can be really helpful—not only to gain confidence in your accomplishments but also to see if any of the things that haven’t come to fruition need extra attention.”
