We live in a world of data, metal, plastic, and instant access to everything. We are always on, and as a result, we can easily become overstimulated and less in touch with our true selves. However, by using visual imagery and creative visualization, we can put ourselves back in touch with a more natural world—one in which we actually belong and can feel at peace. A simple, yet powerful, exercise for inspiring creative visualization is to design a personal vision board. This is an activity that can be done alone, or with your entire family.
What is Creative Visualization?
So, what is creative visualization? In her book, Creative Visualization, author Shakti Gawain says “creative visualization is when we use our imaginations to create a clear image, idea, or feeling of something you want to manifest. Then, you focus on the idea, feeling or picture regularly, giving it positive energy until it becomes objective reality.”
Creative visualization is when we use our imaginations to create a clear image, idea, or feeling of something you want to manifest. - Shakti Gawain
The idea of envisioning what you want and then believing it will happen is very similar to praying to a Higher Power and believing it will manifest. And, the act of making vision boards—dubbed “treasure maps” by Gawain—is a wonderful way to deepen the connection of our belief systems by creating a physical representation of our goals or desires.
In other words, we can play “make believe” by using the power of imagination to to get in touch with our future selves in a desired place or emotion.
Make Your Own Board
I’ve grown quite fond of an annual New Year activity of making vision boards with my quirky 2nd-grader. The whole ordeal of gathering old & new magazines, piling up new poster boards, fresh markers and other accents inspires an imaginative, and positive, buzz that lasts for weeks!
Note—I enjoy making vision boards with my daughter, but you absolutely do not need to include anyone in this exercise. Creative visualization is a personal experience, and some of us connect better when we approach the process solo.
Step One: Gather your supplies. Getting started on a vision board doesn’t require much—magazines, a pair of scissors, glue and a sturdy canvas is all you really need. However, having more supplies at your disposal can spark more creativity and inspire artistic expression in yourself and others, and especially in children.
Step Two: Dedicate 1 to 2 hours for getting lost in print material, preferably magazines that you don’t mind clipping up and ripping through. Thumbing through glossy magazines also ignites a sense of make-believe as we read articles and learn about different parts of the world.
Step Three: Cut out any and everything that catches your eye, draws you in, and inspires you in a positive way! Start a few piles: one for photos, one for words/phrases, and maybe one for entire pages of articles. We tend to use an old shoe box to organize our findings, but by all means, be fancy and use a more formal scrapbooking technique to store your collections.
Step Four: Start plotting on your board. Without glue, spend 15-20 minutes placing your clippings around your poster board. I like to put larger photos on first, then I pepper the phrases and words around, over, or beside the images.
Step Five: Commit to a design and crack open those glue sticks and tape! Once completed, you can finish your board with spray glue to preserve the design longer.
Step Six: Display your vision board somewhere you feel comfortable, and where you will see it regularly. You should be looking at your creative work as much as possible, at least once a day. Another idea is to turn a photo of your board into a phone wallpaper or screen saver.
Make...Believe!
Creating vision boards is meant to be a transformative and delightful experience. Take your time with your work and always remember that, as we change, your boards can too! When it suits you, remove or add words and pictures that resonate with you the most.
“Every moment is a moment of creation, and each moment of creation contains infinite possibilities,” says Gawain. “I can do things the way I’ve always done them, or I can look at all the different alternatives, and try something new and different and potentially more rewarding.”
Recommended Supplies
Recommended Magazines
Here’s a list of my favorite magazines. Each of them has a unique style and a jolly assortment of inspiring words and photos that’ll spark creativity in anyone.
Architectural Digest
Happinez
In The Moment
Mindful
Om Yoga
Real Simple
Travel + Leisure
Sources: Gawain, Shakti; Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life; pp. 3, 49, 172.