Manifesting Mental Wellness: How Vision Boards Can Help You Heal and Thrive
Introduction:
Vision boards have become such a useful tool for those who want to connect to their dreams and goals. Not only are they collages, but they are also intricate ways to visually capture what matters to you. For those who are focused on improving their mental health, vision boards can be such a powerful way to create clarity, motivation, and a sense of direction in life. Whether you’re aiming to improve your routine, grow in your career, or strengthen your relationships, this blog post will walk you through each step of vision boards, as well as educate you on the psychological benefits. I’ll offer ideas on what you could include on your board, and we will walk step-by-step on how to create one. I can’t wait to dive in and explore this further with you!
What Are Vision Boards and What Are the Psychological Benefits?
Vision boards have many different benefits that others often don’t recognize. They are creative tools that enhance mental health by promoting self-exploration, goal-setting, and motivation. When you visually represent your personal goals and aspirations, you can clarify what your values and priorities are. This is essential for a person’s psychological well-being (Rio Salado College, 2024)
Creating a vision board also allows individuals to reflect on what their ambitions and desires are. This helps foster self-awareness and self-reflection. By reflecting on these wants and desires, we can gain a deeper understanding of what our goals are, and what steps we can take to achieve them. By doing this we enhance our self-efficacy, as well as empower ourselves in the process (Gonzalez, 2019).
Vision boards also serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. By reviewing this personally made vision board on a daily basis, you can remind yourself of the commitment you have to achieve your goals. As well as focus on maintaining those outcomes. By viewing this vision board during troubling times, you can promote self-resilience as well as improve your mental well-being (Travers, 2024).
Vision boards have often been used as interventions in therapeutic settings to help individuals visualize and articulate their goals. Whether this be related to personal growth, career aspirations, or relationships. Creating vision boards heavily relies on solution-focused therapy, which helps empower clients to take an active role in their healing process, as well as their personal development.
Personally, I have found vision boards extremely helpful in my journey to healing and growth. By visualizing what I want in life, I have been successfully been able to manifest the life of my dreams. This can sound unbelievable- trust me I know. But it’s true. There are so many things that I have visualized for myself over the years, and I truly believe that vision boards have been a key contributor to all of the success that I have faced. Whether it be manifesting my career, my relationships, or my own personal well-being, they have been extremely beneficial in manifesting the life that I want for myself and have worked so hard for. I hope that you’re able to resonate with some of the topics listed, and are able to create a board that makes feel life fulfilling to you.
Topics to Include on Your Vision Board
When creating a vision board, it can be helpful to choose what areas of life you would like to focus on, improve, and manifest. Listed below are some of the most popular vision board topics, as well as examples to help spark creativity!
1. Health and Wellness
Images of nutritious meals, exercise routines, or calming environments.
Words like “Balance,” “Strength,” or “Rest.”
Photos representing activities that make you feel good, like yoga, hiking, or meditation.
2. Career and Professional Growth
Pictures of your dream workspace or tools that symbolize your profession.
Phrases like “Leadership,” “Success,” or “New Opportunities.”
Visuals representing specific goals, such as a promotion, starting a business, or achieving work-life balance.
3. Financial Goals
Symbols like dollar signs, piggy banks, or charts showing growth.
Motivational quotes about abundance and financial security.
Photos of what financial freedom looks like for you—maybe a home, a vacation, or debt-free living.
4. Relationships
Images of people laughing together, holding hands, or engaging in meaningful activities.
Words like “Connection,” “Love,” or “Harmony.”
Representations of relationships you want to nurture, whether romantic, friendships, or family.
5. Personal Growth and Mindset
Inspirational quotes or affirmations that resonate with your journey.
Symbols of learning, like books, certificates, or workshops.
Images of calm and focus, like meditation or journaling.
6. Fun, Adventure, and Hobbies
Photos of travel destinations, hobbies, or new experiences you’d like to explore.
Words like “Joy,” “Creativity,” or “Play.”
Representations of hobbies you want to continue or start, such as painting, gardening, or dancing.
7. Home and Environment
Pictures of cozy spaces, dream homes, or organized living areas.
Words like “Comfort,” “Security,” or “Serenity.”
Images representing upgrades you’d like to make to your home or surroundings.
8. Mental Health and Self-Care
Calming visuals like candles, bath setups, or peaceful nature scenes.
Affirmations like “I am enough” or “I deserve rest.”
Representations of self-care practices, such as journaling, therapy, or spending time in nature.
Creating vision boards around these topics and using them as a guide can help represent which aspects of your life are the most meaningful to you at the moment. By focusing on multiple areas at a time, you can create a balanced view of your aspirations and goals.
Creating a Mental Health Vision Board: Step-by-Step Guide to Inspire Positive Change
Step 1: Reflect on Your Goals and Intentions
Before you start diving into your board and piecing things together, it can be helpful to reflect and ask yourself:
What does self-care look like to me?
What do I want to feel more of in my life? (e.g., peace, confidence, joy)
What inspires my recovery and growth?
Who or what supports my mental health journey?
It can be helpful to write your thoughts down in a journal or notebook to clarify what these intentions are for you.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
An important part about creating a vision board, is gathering all the tools that you’ll need. Whether this be a physical board, or a digital board.
For a physical board:
A sturdy poster board, corkboard, or canvas
Magazines, newspapers, or printed images
Scissors, glue sticks, or tape
Markers, pens, and decorative items like stickers or washi tape
For a digital board:
A free tool like Canva, Pinterest, or Google Slides
Access to royalty-free images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels
Step 3: Choose Images and Words That Resonate
Look for images, phrases, and quotes that reflect your mental health goals. This could include:
Pictures of calming environments, like beaches or forests, to symbolize inner peace.
Empowering phrases like “I am resilient” or “I deserve rest.”
Representations of healthy habits, such as someone practicing yoga, reading a book, or spending time with loved ones.
Make sure every element on your board feels meaningful and personal to you.
Step 4: Organize Your Vision Board
Before you start gluing down your materials, it can be helpful to lay them out and consider these tips beforehand:
Place your main goal or focus in the center (e.g., “Healing” or “Balance”).
Arrange supporting images and words around it in a way that feels natural and inspiring.
Leave space for future additions, as your vision evolves over time.
Step 5: Add a Creative, Personal Touch
Make your board unique to you by:
Adding your own drawings, doodles, or affirmations.
Using colors or patterns that uplift and energize you.
Including symbols or photos of loved ones who support your journey.
Step 6: Display Your Vision Board Somewhere Meaningful
Choose a location where you’ll see your board daily, such as:
Your bedroom wall, so it’s the first thing you see each morning.
Near your desk or workspace to inspire you throughout the day.
If it’s digital, set it as your phone or computer background.
Final Thoughts
Creating a vision board can be such a personal and empowering process. It’s more than just cutting out images and putting them on a board. It’s about taking a moment to reflect and pause on what is most important to you, and how you can achieve those goals. Creating a visual reminder of your goals helps give a boost of motivation and inspiration on days when you need it most. Your vision board is a reminder of where you’re headed, who you are, and a helpful tool to help you stay focused on your path. What feels most important to include on your vision board, and do you think it would help you stay grounded moving forward? Feel free to reach out through my contact page and let me know your thoughts, and what your inspirtaions are for this coming year. I can’t wait to hear from you!
References
Burton, Lisa & Lent, Jonathan. (2016). The Use of Vision Boards as a Therapeutic Intervention. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. 11. 1-14. 10.1080/15401383.2015.1092901.
Gonzalez, L. (2019). The use of vision boards as a therapeutic intervention. Journal of Counseling Techniques and Practices, 15(2), 45-58. https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/L_Gonzalez_Vision_2019.pdf
Psychology Today. (2021). What is a vision board and why make one? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202103/what-is-vision-board-and-why-make-one
Rio Salado College. (2024). The value of vision boards. Wellness Wednesday Series. https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2023/wellness-wednesday-value-vision-boards
Travers, M. (2024). The year everyone started "manifesting." Does it work? The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/the-year-everyone-started-manifesting-does-it-work-cc6e658f
