How to Create a Vision Board in Your Journal

A vision board is a powerful tool to help you focus on your goals and manifest your deepest desires. And where better to create a vision board than in your journal? A journal is a personal space to explore your thoughts and feelings, so it’s the perfect place to envision your future and chart a course toward achieving your dreams.

How do vision boards work in a journal? 

90% of our cortical neurons interpret images rather than just words alone, so a vision board impacts us in a different way than a simple list of goals. 

A vision board also engages you through your brain’s reticular activating system, which is what it uses to deal with the flood of data it receives all day. It’s the filter that decides what is unnecessary information and what is important. A vision board creates cues that prompt your brain to notice anything related to your goals. 

For example, if your vision board contains a concept like “work as a freelance illustrator.,” you might start to notice illustration classes, designs on the wrappers of chocolate bars, an old school friend who now works as an illustrator, or opportunities to market yourself. 

Identifying your desires and creating a visual representation of them is a game-changer in how you show up in the world in relation to what you want. 

Vision boards originated as a poster board to hang on a wall where you could see it every day, but your journal can work just as well with a two page spread. If the idea is to have your vision board accessible to view every day, designing one in your journal has the added benefit of portability! 

What should you include on your vision board?

What you include on your vision board is up to you! However, some things that you might want to include are:

– Images that represent your goals

– Words or phrases that inspire you

– Symbols that carry meaning to you

– Colors that bring you joy

Here’s how to create a vision board in your journal:

1. Choose a method for creating the visuals on your vision board.

Will you look through magazines, cut out the images that resonate with you, and paste them to the pages of your journal? Will you write inspirational words and draw doodles to support them? There are countless ways to create visuals in your journal. Find an approach that matches your style and gather your supplies. 

2. Carve out time to think aspirationally. 

Planning your vision board happens best when you aren’t in a rush. Find some time to sit in quiet reflection, or break out some snacks and invite some friends to join you. What do you want to focus on? Do you want to manifest more abundance, love, or success in your life? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? A place you’ve wanted to go? What in your life is crying out for change? What do you want to see happen in the next year?

3. Sit down to create your journal spread. 

As you’re designing your vision board, think about how you want to feel when you achieve your goals. What will your life be like? What will you be doing? Really envision what it will be like to have what you desire. The more specific you are, the better. Let your intuition lead you on this. You don’t need a fully formed idea to start your layout. Let it evolve over time. You don’t have to create your entire board all at once; it’s fine to take your time and craft it over the course of  several days.) 

4. Start using your vision board daily. 

Once you’ve finished your vision board, take some time to look at it every day – or at least every time you journal. As you view it, allow yourself to feel the emotions of having already achieved your goals. By regularly focusing on your vision board, you’ll begin to attract what you desire into your life. 

How often should you look at your vision board?

It’s up to you how often you view your vision board. Some people like to reflect on it every day, while others prefer to glance at it once a week or so. The important thing is to take the time to review it regularly, so it can continue to serve as a reminder of your goals. (And to cause your reticular activating system to kick in!)

Don’t want to do this solo? Host a vision board journal party. 

I used to think vision boards were crazy. I just couldn’t get excited about cutting out pictures of yachts and putting them on a posterboard with a glue stick. 

So, when a friend invited me to her house for a vision board party, I was unsure about it. But I liked the friends, and there was Prosecco involved, so I figured at least the conversation would be fun and decided to attend.

At the beginning of the party, my buddy, Melanie, pulled out her vision boards from previous years, and started talking about what had happened in her life since she started creating them. They weren’t what I expected. 

Instead of a “wish list” of material possessions, the boards were artistic expressions of how Melanie wanted to be in the world. The boards were focused on what she wanted to accomplish. 

Melanie directed us to a large table scattered with markers and a stack of poster boards. 

The Prosecco began to flow. Our friend, Cheryl, set up a diffuser with essential oils. And we all sat at the table and picked up markers to scribe our futures. 

The conversation was so inspirational! 

I hung the vision board I created at the party in a place where I could see it every morning for the rest of the year, and it served as a cue card for my choices — with powerful results. I was surprised at its effectiveness in focusing my attention.

Want to host your own vision boarding party? Here’s how: 

1. Invite a small group of friends. (Only as many as you have table space to accommodate people.)

2. Ask your friends to bring their journals, or get a stack of heavy white paper that is 11×15 or larger. (I like the Canson XL 11×15 pad from Amazon.)

3. Spread out a variety of markers and colored pencils on the tables, while still leaving plenty of space for everyone to work.

4. Put out some appetizers, and open a bottle of prosecco or champagne. (Because this adds an element of celebration as you dream about the future!) 

5. If you have an essential oil diffuser, consider using it; scent is closely linked to emotion and memory and has the potential to add a positive and peaceful vibe to the experience.

It’s that simple. As people work on their vision boards (or vision journal pages), the conversation will naturally drift to possibility and what could be. Not only that, but the energy of creating something in a room with friends will inspire you.

Why use a vision board in your journal?

There are many reasons why you might want to use a vision board, especially in your journal. A vision board can help you to:

– Stay focused on your goals

– See your progress over time

– Visualize your success

– Be accountable to yourself

You might be surprised at how well this works.

A vision board is a great way to focus on your goals and manifest your deepest desires. It is a physical representation of what you want to achieve, and can be used to help you stay focused and motivated.

Creating a vision board in your journal is easy and fun, and it’s a great way to visualize what you want to achieve in your life. So, gather some art supplies (and maybe some friends) and get started!  (Want some more ideas on vision boarding? Check this out!)