In Five Years, Who Will You Be? Start Creating Your Life Today.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.” — George Bernard Shaw.
The start of a new year always feels like a turning point. For me, it’s a time to pause and reflect on what truly matters. After years of exploring different paths and rediscovering myself, I often find myself asking, “What’s next?” and “What’s my purpose?” Those are big questions, but one tool that’s helped me find clarity and direction is a vision board. (or road map). It’s not just a collection of pretty pictures. It’s a way to focus your energy, reconnect with your dreams, and create a life of purpose and possibility.
When people tell me that vision boarding is about the laws of manifestation and not about faith, I strongly disagree. For me, it’s an act of co-creation with God. The process begins with asking the big question: What is my purpose? When I started focusing on creating a new post-career life, I used vision boards to ask for clarity and guidance. The key lesson I’ve learned—and one Colette Baron-Reid emphasizes—is that you must let God, or the source of your understanding, select the form of your dreams. Let me share two examples of how vision boarding completely changed the direction of my life.
In January 2020, I included a goal to improve my photography skills. I didn’t have a specific plan, but I placed an image of a camera on my board. I put my camera at the breakfast table so I could photograph life outside that window. I was not a birder.
Soon after, I noticed birds gathering outside my breakfast room window. Over six weeks, I documented 30 species of birds without leaving my house. It was during this process that I realized photographing birds and wildlife brought me immense joy. I hadn’t written “become a wildlife photographer” on my board, but God created the form for me. Through this experience, I discovered a passion I never knew I had and during those moments of quiet reflection on God’s creation, my soul began to heal.
The second example came from a heartfelt request: Help me live the purpose I was brought to earth to achieve. I wanted to align my purpose for my later years with what God and the Universe wanted me to do, not just use my knowledge. About two years ago, I felt a nagging push to focus on helping aging women create their best lives. About two years ago, I felt a nagging push to focus on helping aging women create their best lives. It wasn’t on my life’s “bingo card,” but the passion grew, ideas flowed, and here I am today, writing a weekly letter to you. These experiences showed me that vision boards are not about controlling outcomes. They’re about trusting God of your understanding to guide you toward the life you’re meant to live.
Let’s explore how you can create your own road map to help clarify your purpose and align with your goals.
What Is a Vision Board?
At its most basic, what some call a vision board—and I like to call a road map—is a collection of images, words, and symbols that represent your dreams and goals. But it’s much more than that. A vision board serves as a visual tool to guide your actions and keep you focused on what matters most. Think of it as a roadmap for your future, where each image represents a step toward the life you want to create.
Creating a Road Map: A Simple Tool for Reinvention
Creating a vision board is a deeply personal process, but some key steps can make it more meaningful and impactful. You need to complete each step in order before gluing photos on the board!
Step 1: Choose Your Focus Areas
Before you dive into affirmations or gather supplies, take a moment to reflect on the key areas of your life that you’d like to focus on. Here are some categories to guide you:
- Health: Improving physical and mental well-being.
- Finances: Building financial security and stability.
- Relationships: Deepening connections with loved ones or building new, supportive friendships.
- Passions: Pursuing hobbies, creative endeavors, or things that bring you joy.
- Career: Exploring professional growth, reinvention, or finding a sense of purpose in retirement.
- Giving Back: Contributing to your community or helping others in meaningful ways.
- Lifestyle: Simplifying your home, traveling, or creating a peaceful living environment.
- Spiritual Connection: Deepening your relationship with your higher power and aligning with divine guidance.
Select one or two areas that most resonate with your current goals and priorities. Focusing on fewer categories can make the process less overwhelming and more impactful.
Step 2: Write Affirmations
Once you’ve chosen your focus areas, write affirmations that align with them. Affirmations are positive statements written in the present tense, as if your goals have already been achieved. They help shift your mindset and anchor your intentions.
Here are examples for each focus area:
- Experience: “I am welcoming joyful, meaningful experiences that inspire and energize me.”
- Focus: “I am fully present and aligned with my priorities, giving my best energy to what matters most.”
- Intentions: “I am clear on my ‘why’ and take intentional steps toward my goals every day.”
- Vision: “I see myself thriving in a life filled with purpose, creativity, and connection.”
- Connection: “I am surrounded by loving, supportive relationships that nurture my growth.”
- Growth: “I am constantly evolving, learning, and embracing new opportunities for self-improvement.”
- Spiritual Alignment: “I trust in my Creator to guide me, and I am open to divine timing and synchronicity.”
Keep your affirmations nearby as you create your vision board. They will guide your choices and ensure your board reflects your desired outcome.
Step 3: Center Your Vision on the God of Your Understanding
Place a symbol or circle in the middle of your vision board to represent God or your higher power. This will remind you that you are not creating alone—the Creator’s energy supports and guides you. This central symbol will anchor your vision board in trust, gratitude, and faith.
Step 4: Gather Your Supplies
Now that you’ve reflected and written affirmations, it’s time to collect your materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A poster board, sketchbook, or large sheet of paper.
- Magazines, printed images, and quotes that resonate with you.
- Markers, pens, scissors, and glue or double-sided tape.
If you prefer digital tools, apps like Canva or Dream Vision Board are great options, but creating by hand often feels more personal and engaging.
Step 5: Assemble Your Board
With your affirmations and visuals ready, start arranging your board. Lay out the images and words before gluing them down. Arrange them in a way that feels meaningful to you—group similar themes or let your intuition guide the layout. Don’t worry about making it perfect; focus on making it authentic.
Step 6: Add Personal Touches
This is where your creativity shines. Use markers to add handwritten notes, doodles, or symbols. Write affirmations directly on the board to reinforce your intentions. If your goal is to slow down and focus on priorities, include calming images like sunsets or cozy spaces. For adventure, use bold colors and photos of places you dream of visiting.
Step 7: Place It Where You’ll See It
Your vision board works best when it’s visible every day. Place it in your bedroom, office, or a corner of your kitchen. Let it be a daily reminder of your goals and the energy you’re cultivating. Mine is on my bathroom mirror, in my office and on my computer.
Step 8: Activate Your Board
Once your board is complete, please take a few moments to activate it. Sit quietly and focus on each image, word, and affirmation you’ve placed on the board. Imagine the feelings you’ll have when these dreams come to life. Visualize yourself living this reality and connect with the joy, gratitude, and peace that comes with it. Speak your affirmations aloud and affirm your trust in your Higher Power to guide you toward these goals in divine timing.
I say a simple prayer to seal your intentions, such as God; I trust your divine plan for my life. I open myself to your guidance and am ready to co-create a life of purpose and fulfillment. Thank you for your support and love. And so it is.
Activating your board is like setting an intention—your declaration to God and the Universe that you are ready to co-create your dreams.
Why Vision Boards Work
A vision board isn’t magic, but it is transformative. By visualizing your goals, you keep them at the forefront of your mind. This daily reminder encourages intentional actions and helps align your choices with your dreams. Over time, these small steps build momentum, bringing you closer to the life you want.
Ready to Create Yours?
Creating a vision board is simple, but its impact can be profound. Take the time to dream, reflect, and focus on what you truly want. Let this be the year you step into possibility and start building the life you’ve always imagined.
Do you have questions, send me an email and I will get back to you asap.
Your future is waiting. Why not start today? Send me a photo of your 2025 board!