Create your vision for the new years!
A new year brings motivation to start off the year with a vision, waiting expectantly for what the year will bring, excited for what’s ahead. Laying out your vision for the year is a great way to plan what your intentions are for the year and what you feel like you’re being called to do.
A vision board doesn’t list out specific actions or goals you’ve set but it’s a big picutre way to see your ideas come together and a way for you to get creative. Now don’t get me wrong, I think (SMART) goals are extremely important and I highly recommend writing out specific goals you plan to achieve for the year. But a vision board is a great first step in planning out your year in an aesthetic way. It also serves as a reminder that you can refer to throughout the year. Here are a few steps and tips on creating your own vision board.
1. Brainstorm
Before jumping into creating your vision board, brainstorm what your intentions are for the upcoming year. It’s usually helpful to reflect on the year before, how you grew and what you’ve learned. You may want to pray about what God is laying on your heart for the new year. Is there a word that comes to mind? Do you have specific goals in areas of your life? Do you wish to travel this year? Are there new habits and routines you want to implement? This is a good time to reflect and jot down the words and phrases that come to mind.
2. Find Pictures, Phrases and Words
The fun part! Flip through magazines to find pictures, phrases and words that compliment what you’ve brainstormed. PRO TIP: I don’t usually collect magazines but if you’re a Costco member, their monthly magazines are a great resource ;). Are there some pictures that symbolize the words you have for the new year? For me, this year I want to continue to be rooted in my faith and work on building a foundation for my future. I thought a tree symbolized this really well. Alternatively, you can simply search for pictures from Pinterest instead of rummaging through magazines. Remember that this is also a fun and creative activity. Some pictures may just go with the aesthetic and don’t necessarily have meaning behind it. Have fun with it!
3. Create: Putting it all together
Now, it’s time to put the vision together. I personally create my vision board in my bullet journal so I can review it often. You may want to display it on a larger board above your desk or create a digital version on Canva to have it on your phone or desktop. The choice is up to you! If you’re Type A like me, finalizing the layout may take some time and may be a trial and error process. I usually plan where I want things, what things go together and sketch out my doodles. I start off by creating my layout with different types of textured papers and the images I cut out. Then I start filling in the empty spaces with words that I brainstormed earlier.
A vision board is a fun, relaxing and creative way to envision your goals and the new year ahead. Being a visual person, it’s handy to have my vision board on hand to glance at through out the year to remind me of what I hope the year will look like and spark some motivation, hope, and fulfillment. Try it out and create your vision for the new year!
