Vision Boards: Cringe-Worthy or Life-Changing? My 2024 Recap and 2025 Aspirations
If you’d asked me a year ago how I felt about vision boards, I might have laughed and said something like, “Sure, if I also get a glitter glue sponsorship.” But here’s the thing: the vision board I made for 2024 ended up shaping my year in ways I didn’t fully anticipate. And while I didn’t check off every goal I pasted to my board, the process of dreaming big—glitter glue and all—helped me focus on what I truly wanted.
What 2024 Looked Like
When I sat down to make my vision board for 2024, I envisioned a year of cinematic storytelling, healthier habits, meaningful travel, and building a life where I felt fully myself. Here’s what happened:
Cinematic Storytelling: This was the year I leaned into creativity—whether through video, writing, or exploring how these connect to marketing and branding. It’s a goal that isn’t finished, but I’m proud of the work I started. Ultimately, I uploaded 17 longform videos and 16 shortform videos.
Health Goals: I didn’t hit every marker here. My goal to focus on food health is still a work in progress (supplements were tried; results were…mixed). But I made meaningful strides by starting therapy, meditating, and prioritizing overall wellness.
Travel Dreams: Paris didn’t happen, but I spent time in Vermont, South Carolina, Florida, and Ohio—some planned, some spontaneous. While they weren’t all the “bucket list” destinations I imagined, they brought joy, connection, and a reminder that every journey has its own magic.
Lifestyle Upgrades: Redesigning my office was a quiet triumph, helping me feel more aligned with the life I want to create. I also allowed myself time off to grieve and recover, which became one of the most important gifts I gave myself this year.
What’s Coming in 2025
As I stare at my new vision board for 2025, some goals are familiar, while others feel like a fresh chapter. Here’s what I’m working toward:
Cinematic Creativity (Take Two)
I want to dig deeper into storytelling this year, combining my passions for writing, video, marketing, and branding. The challenge is to make it feel not just cinematic but authentic to my voice. Think less blockbuster, more indie film—real, raw, and impactful.Travel Goals
Portland and New York are back on the list, but this year, I’m also dreaming of somewhere “out west.” My partner and I have talked about making more regular trips, even if they’re closer to home. The point is to go, see, and experience—whether that’s a weekend getaway or something more adventurous.Financial Focus
After a quieter year work-wise, I’m shifting gears. My goals include building savings, partnering with brands, and growing my client base. It’s less about hustling and more about creating opportunities that align with my values and expertise.Personal Style Evolution
My closet is due for an overhaul. This year, I’m focusing on quality over quantity—curating intentional pieces that reflect who I am and how I want to present myself. In the past, I’ve gone down the capsule closet rabbit hole and who knows, maybe it will be a return to form?Health, Seriously This Time
If 2024 was about dipping my toes in the water, 2025 is about swimming. Metaphorically. Smarter food choices, consistent fitness, and staying accountable are top priorities. I’ve got fitness goals, and this is the year I stop giving myself outs.Strengthening Relationships
My partner and I are committing to working on us—through counseling, better communication, and scheduling time to connect. Like any vision board, relationships take work, and we’re ready to invest in ours.
Why Vision Boards Matter (Even When Goals Change)
The beauty of a vision board isn’t that it guarantees success or locks you into a rigid plan. It’s that it gives you a starting point—a way to visualize your intentions and remind yourself what you’re working toward. Some goals evolve (goodbye, Paris!), and some remain the same (hello again, Portland!). But the process of creating the board, reflecting on it, and adapting it is what makes it powerful.
If you’re considering making your own vision board—or updating one you already have—here are six tips and resources to get started:
1. Digital vs. Physical: Choose Your Medium
You can go old-school with scissors and glue or create a sleek, digital version. Both approaches work, so it’s about finding what feels right for you.
Physical Vision Boards:
Grab magazines, print images, and use a corkboard or sturdy poster board.
Supplies like washi tape, markers, and sticky notes can help make it visually engaging.
Pro Tip: Use push pins instead of glue to make it easy to swap out images as your goals evolve.
Digital Vision Boards:
Use platforms like Canva (user-friendly with tons of templates) or Pinterest (perfect for collecting inspiration). I used both of these for mine.
Tools like Milanote allow you to build vision boards that feel tactile but live online.
Save it as your desktop background or phone wallpaper for daily motivation. (I have mine on my Notion dashboard)
2. Questions to Help You Brainstorm
Sometimes staring at a blank board can feel overwhelming. Use these prompts to clarify your goals:
What would success look like by the end of this year?
What habits, skills, or experiences do I want to cultivate?
What kind of spaces make me feel happy and productive?
What do I want to prioritize—travel, health, relationships, creativity, financial goals?
Still stumped? Do a brain dump in your notes doc. What could’ve gone better this year? Where do you want to be this time next year - don’t edit yourself, just type. Copy your thought dump and paste it in an AI platform like Chat GPT. Use a prompt like “Help me make sense of my year - this is what I’d like the next year to look like - can you clarify these into goals I can use for a vision board?”
3. Layer Your Vision with Specificity
Instead of broad ideas like “Get healthier,” drill down into actionable specifics:
Fitness Goals: Add images of activities you enjoy, like running paths, gym equipment, or yoga studios.
Nutrition: Use photos of meals you’d actually eat or a reminder to meal prep.
Travel Dreams: Include both big destinations (like Portland or New York) and smaller trips, like local hikes or day trips with your partner.
4. Tools to Keep You Accountable
A vision board is just the first step. Pair it with tools and habits to stay on track:
Habit Trackers: Apps like Habitica or Streaks can gamify your progress.
Reflection Practices: Revisit your board monthly. Ask yourself what’s working, what’s not, and what needs adjusting.
Journals: Tools like The Five-Minute Journal can help you connect daily actions to your long-term goals.
5. Learn from Others
Sometimes, seeing how others approach their vision boards can spark ideas:
Books:
Atomic Habits by James Clear (for building habits to match your vision).
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (for creative inspiration).
YouTube Channels:
Workshops: Look for online vision board workshops on Eventbrite or platforms like Skillshare.
Camille Styles is offering virtual workshops
Juliette Kristine is also offering a virtual workshop
6. Keep It Accessible
The point of a vision board is to keep your goals visible and top of mind. Whether it’s hanging above your desk, saved as your phone wallpaper, or tucked into a planner, find a place where you’ll see it often.