Vision Boards: New Year Trends + Creating Your Dream Life, Wardrobe, & More.
The internet is alive with the sound of Vision Boards. Pinterest-perfect images and awe-inspiring quotes fill the blank canvases of the coolest It-Girls’ Instagram stories. Tik Toks and Reels consume For You Pages with the how-tos and ins-and-outs of creating the perfect vision board—or—whatever fill-in-the-blank version someone is pitching to reinvent the wheel.
It’s not a new concept and as we near the new year, it’s easy fodder for internet content. And despite my eye roll at all the unique ways folks are selling guides on how to make a vision board, I’m all in favor for the idea. In fact, it’s something I’ve been doing for years.
Before buying my iPad, I’d meet up at coffee shops with my girlfriends—plenty of retired early-aughts magazines and some craft scissors in hand. We’d cut out images that spoke to us, gluing them down to poster boards and bringing our intentions to life. There is power in that sort of manifestation. Envisioning the life, goals, and habits you dream of creates a roadmap leading you to your aspirations. Arts and crafts, self-discovery and inspiration.
What does it look like for me?
Well, before leaving Texas last year, I romanticized starting fresh in North Carolina. I was ready to rid myself of so many stressors and responsibilities—I daydreamed of days spent studying, creating, and bettering myself after years of hustle and work. I ended 2023 in my new home in this new state creating visions of 2024 Me. Scrolling through Pinterest, saving images that visually represented my goals, and digitally cutting and pasting my collage in Goodnotes on my iPad. I’ve spent the last week revisiting those visions boards and comparing goal to reality. Where did I stack up to that best version of me I was hoping for?
It fills me with a warm nostalgia looking back at what I created. Despite the things unachieved, I am proud of what I accomplished. I decided to create a 2024 vision board with my own pictures and accomplishments. This way, I could compare my progress from last year to the present.
For me, Pinterest and vision boards have become invaluable tools in my life. From everything to my dream aesthetic to my career goals, you can use them for inspiration and guidance.
So, how do I use these to create this dream version of myself?
Start with Pinterest. Create folders of the topics you want to dream up. Don’t worry, you can make them private and save yourself the embarrassment of others seeing into your soul. When you’re selecting images, think about both aesthetic and functionality—what fits your goals? Don’t just focus on aspirational visuals; include images that reflect where you currently are and where you want to grow.
For my “Fashion Refresh”, (downsizing like nobody’s business), I browsed Pinterest and saved over 100 pins of outfits that I loved to rediscover my style. The more you save, the better. You now have a folder of data telling you exactly what speaks to you. Take note of repeating images, concepts, and looks. Consistently seeing a similar cable-knit sweater in your saved folder? Consider that a staple item in your wardrobe. This concept can work for any topic. I frequently refer to my fashion folder, gym outfit folder, and home folder for inspiration when putting outfits together or decorating my home.
At the end of the year, I’ll write down a list of goals and then save some of my favorite corresponding images to make my vision board. Actually, I make a whole evening of it. A glass of wine, a favorite movie playing in the background, the fireplace going, and my iPad on my lap. Don’t underestimate the power of romanticizing little moments in your life!
You can make collages in Pinterest or put your images together in any note taking app. I use a blank page on my Goodnotes app under a folder aptly named “Dream Board” to save all of this.
Now, as I sit cozy in my office planning for 2025, I can gauge what my strengths and weaknesses were this year. A visual representation of where I grew or where I stalled out. What is a vision board without a little self-reflection, anyway?
As I set my intentions for the year ahead, I feel more connected to the process of dreaming big. A vision board isn't just about seeing your goals; it’s about manifesting the energy and mindset to make them real—and that’s how you truly begin to create the life you envision.
