The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
For the last two years, my daughters and I have kicked off the new year by creating vision boards. I wish I had started at their age. Sometimes, I feel like I lived the first half of my life without intention. In reality that probably isn’t true, but I certainly didn’t document it in any meaningful way. Making a vision board is a simple, easy way to replace those darn New Year’s resolutions. So how do you start?
What materials do I need?
Four basic items: A board, magazines, scissors and Mod Podge. Save your magazines for a few months. Since the only magazine I receive is The Atlantic (nerd alert!), I made a trip to Barnes & Noble and bought a bunch (Real Simple, Martha Stewart, a couple travel magazines). After paying WAY too much money, I suggest begging family and friends for theirs, since all you will do is cut them into pieces. I better set a reminder for myself next year. Oh, and some of your favorite catalogs can be inspirational too!
We bought boards at Michael’s in the painting section. Start small – 8 1/2 by 11. It is surprising how many images or phrases you need to fill up that small space. Pick up the Mod Podge and a couple of small paint brushes, too.
How do I get started?
Start paging through the magazines looking for inspiration! Cut out pictures, phrases or images that inspire you, motivate you or reflect your hobbies, work or personality. Anything you might want to include on your vision board. Cut more, so you have items to choose from.
If want to be more intentional, look for background images or pictures that you can paste other images or phrases on top. This helps if you don’t want any ‘white space’ left when you are finished. You can also think of a phrase or mantra for the year. (Mine for 2021: Try Something New.) Find words (different shapes/colors) to make the phrase a focal point of your vision board.
If you REALLY want to be intentional, do some pre-work. Spend some time thinking about and writing down your goals or focus areas for 2021. Do you want to start a new hobby? Do you need to focus on your job or school? Who do want to spend time with and what do you want to do? Do want to listen to more music and watch less Netflix (ahem, me)? What images inspire you, calm you, or motivate you? Now you have some ideas when you start looking through the magazines or catalogues.
These are all just suggestions, be creative and/or use materials that you have available. If you want to print images or use photographs – go for it. Write or draw if that feels right. This is your vision!
If you need some inspiration – check out this Pinterest board: Vision Boards.
What is Mod Podge and why am I using it?
Start laying out your items on the board (DO NOT glue them yet), either as you cut or when you think you have all the images and inspiration for your board. I like to lay everything out first, moving things around to hide ‘white space’. Once everything is laid out, take a picture with your phone. You can refer to this as you start gluing.
Get out the Mod Podge and a small paint brush. Start with the first layer of items and start gluing! Mod Podge is quick drying, decoupage glue so it will dry quickly. Just keep gluing, layering items as necessary. Once all the items have been glued onto the board, use the brush to spread a layer of glue over the final collage. This secures the images and gives the vision board a semi-gloss finish.
Display it!
Place your vision board somewhere you will see it. It could be your work cubical (when we get back to our offices), your home office or your nightstand. I try to move it around every couple months – I find that it blends into the background after a while. Use it as a touchpoint throughout the year. Remember it is a VISION board, not a to-do board. Use it to inspire yourself throughout the year!
You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. C.S. Lewis
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