The power of vision
The images we create, whether in our mind or on paper, have the power to affect our emotions, thoughts, and the actions that result in the life we live. From achieving the impossible to simply finding direction during times of uncertainty, vision boards are a popular form of art that can help you visualize your wants and goals to make them a reality. As a Board Certified Art Therapist and entrepreneur of 20+ years navigating my own journey of project after project, my experience has shown that creating a visual of your goals isn’t just about seeing the image or actions you represent manifest. Your vision board can help you identify what your goals truly mean to you, so you may tailor them to be a more authentic reflection of what you truly want. New Years resolutions or today resolutions are more achievable when they align with your inner longings instead of what you may superficially believe defines success.
The following Art Therapy inspired exercises can serve as a starting point or alternative to a traditional magazine collage vision board. Throughout the process of envisioning, try to focus on how you want to feel, the experiences you want to have, and actions you want to take.
Supplies
We recommend using markers for these exercises for a balanced emotional and cognitive engagement, but feel free to use anything you have available that ignites a spark in you. All that’s required is one paper for each exercise and a pen/pencil.
Post-Drawing Journaling
After the exercises, we recommend that you:
Write down why the parts included are important to you.
Have a deeper dialogue with each of the images in your art. Allow them to speak without judgment to learn what they truly represent and mean for you. Remember that a picture can say a thousand words. Your art reveals memories and desires that are often hidden or forgotten over time. Let your art guide you to gaining insight for living your best life.
Write about how you would feel when these things become a reality for you in your life. What would have changed?
Road of life
Imagine your life is like a journey along a road. Draw a picture on your paper to represent what this road would look like. Think about the the important events that have happened so far, where you are now, and where you hope to be heading.
Imagine a Miracle
Imagine going to bed at night, and while you are sleeping a miracle occurs. When you wake up, everything in your life is all you’ve ever hoped for it to be. Imagine looking all around you. Draw a picture of what you see.
Three WisheS
Take your paper and fold it into three parts (like a brochure). Now, imagine you are granted three wishes- no rules, just anything you could ever dream of. Dedicate each of the three panels on your paper to drawing these three wishes.
Tombstone or Coffin
Imagine you are at your funeral memorial service. How are you being remembered? Draw the outline of a tombstone or coffin, and fill it with images representing how you would like to have lived your life.
Emerging Sun
Draw a circle in the middle of your paper to represent a sun. Close your eyes and imagine darkness, followed by an image of a sun emerging and lighting every corner of that darkness. Imagine that sun being a part of you. What part of you does it represent? Draw a representation of that part of you in the circle, and then for the rays write down different things that part of you can do to help create your best life.
Interested in exploring more? Book a workshop with us today!