Happy New Year, dear one! We have a brand-new year at our hands – it is the perfect time to dust off the stories and traces of the year gone and open the doors for the new to come in. In many cultures the threshold between closing the old and opening towards the new year is accompanied by rituals and traditions to refresh, reset and create intentions for the next 12 months ahead. It all starts with the belief that it is possible to turn your dreams into reality. And with a little consciously chosen assistance from the universe it may be easier than expected after all.
WE LOVE VISION BOARDS
If you have been following our brand for a little while you know that behind Ananda Soul stands a playful and creative team that loves to design, create and giggle a lot. A vision board is a tool that to us is the perfect means to prepare ourselves for the time ahead in the most playful and fundamentally fun way. Hence, we would love to introduce to you one of our most favourite tools to envision the year ahead.
So what exactly is a vision board? To put it in simple words: it is a visual representation of your goals. Some vision boards hone in on a singular idea, while others look at the bigger picture of what you might want the future to look like. No matter your actual goals (whether you want to learn a new language, try to relax a little more or buy a car) a vision board is a great tool to have during your journey through life. There are really no rules when it comes to vision boards, since it is about getting crafty and creative about everything that will inspire you to realize your dreams and goals on a daily basis.
READY? HERE WE GO!
1) Create a list of goals you’d like to achieve in the next year
In order to visualize your goals, first you need to know what they are. Spend some time getting clear on exactly what you want your ideal life to look like, and what you need to accomplish in the next 12 months to launch you closer to your goals.
Take a moment of self-reflection (e.g. meditate, drop in, dance) and write everything out what’s most important to you.
2) Collect a bundle of old magazines with beautiful pictures
Get out your magazines, It's time to hunt through your old stashes for visual representations of your goal.
3) Find pictures that represent your goals and inspire you
Find pictures that represent or symbolize the experiences, feelings, and things you want to attract into your life, and place them on your board. Have fun with the process. Use photographs, magazine cutouts, pictures from the Internet – whatever inspires you. Be creative. Include not only pictures, but anything that speaks to you.
Consider including a picture of yourself on your board. If you do, choose one that was taken in a happy moment. You will also want to post your affirmations, inspirational words, quotations, and thoughts here. Choose words and images that inspire you and make you feel good.
4) Make a collage out of your photos
Once you have collected enough images, it’s time to get creative with your vision board. Get a large piece of poster paper. A cork board or large piece of paper would work as well. Or if you want things a little more compact a scrapbook or journal may work too. Then glue, tack, or tape your images to the paper or cork board in an arrangement that is visually pleasing to you. Draw, sketch, write, smudge, smear – everything is allowed if it is speaking to you and your deepest desires.
5) Add motivational “affirmation words” that represent how you want to FEEL
It is supervise to add words to the vision board that describe how you want to feel on a daily basis – such as: “joyful,” “abundant,” “powerful,” “fearless,” “loved,” “strong,” “healthy,” “loving.
Take some time to create a list of words that describe how YOU want to feel. Or allow yourself to be guided through the process by flipping through the magazines and cut out the words that catch your eye.
6) How to make your vision board 'work' for you
To make your vision board work, allow yourself to drop in and take a close look at everything that came through for you. Visualize yourself as you achieve the dreams and goals you put down. How does it feel?
If you are doing this practice together with a friend, ask them to take a look at your board and share with you what they see.
Put the vision board somewhere you can see it every day. Choose a place that is within your regular line of sight—your nightstand, your desk, your kitchen —because the key is to look at it as often as possible.
Dreams won't just come over night. And plans and desires change.
Make your vision board a living thing—rip pieces off, add things, or start from scratch if nothing is a match any longer.
Have fun creating your own vision board and please do share them with us – we would love to see what you are calling in for this coming year!
