Finding inspiration through vision boards
As a brand new decade gets underway, many of us have probably made a list of resolutions that we want to achieve by the end of the year. Yet how many of us end up actually going through with it? Perhaps with the help of a vision board, you could make those dreams come true.
Photos courtesy Night Shades Stationery and Nilushka Perera
A vision board (also known as dream boards) is created by incoporating a collage of images, quotes, motivational messages and such that depict specific desires. By putting the law of attraction to work, a vision board provides a visual source of inspiration to help attain these goals.
Popularised by the book ‘The Secret’ and with the endorsement of many including Oprah Winfrey, vision boards have since flourished as a creative motivational tool. This week, we speak to the owner of Night Shades Stationery and vision board enthusiast Oenone Mills, who gives us an insight into her experience with vision boards, why they work and how anyone can start their own.
If you searched Oenone’s house you’d find a lot of notebooks and journals lying around, as Oenone used to always journal through challenging moments, ideas & thoughts, and life in general.
Having studied psychology, she was increasingly aware of issues attached with mental health. That’s when she thought of marrying the two things she loves: Stationery and her passion to empower people. Thus, Night Shades Stationery was born. Back in college, Oenone started doing her vision board on a bristol board, which helped her in terms of reminding her who she was as a person, her goals, values, and things that anchor her.
She also used to do a lot of visualization (which is the base for vision boards). Oenone also recorded and kept the things that used to inspire her. These included paper cutouts, pictures, favourite quotes to mementos in a book.
“When I am feeling calm, a bit lost in life (this happens often) I just spend a few minutes looking at my vision board and it brings a sense of renewed purpose and clears things up a bit for me,” she recalls.
Nilushka Perera, a customer of Night Shades, echoes this sentiment. She came across vision boards in magazines and movies, but really got into it when she saw it on Night Shades as a way for her to remind herself of what inspires her, what she wants to keep doing and the people she wants to keep close in her life.
“I have been playing around with displaying things that inspire me throughout my life, envisioning things and reading things always helped me stay grounded and remind me what my values are.” she explains, adding that it was an emotional and humbling process but it helped keep her motivated and even helped in making life decisions.
Oenone explains the process of putting together a vision board itself can give one a lot of confidence, a sense of purpose and also reminds one of the things that are important during the year. It can also empower you and motivate you when you are going through a difficult time.
One of the reasons vision boards can be effective is because when you visualize, your mind has the ability to mimic the feeling of what you think, she tells us.
“For example when we think about happy moments, we feel a sense of joy. This is why the process of doing your vision board gives you a lot of peace, and clarity towards your purpose, goals and your dreams,” she explains.
Oenone feels the reason that vision boards have gained so much popularity in the past few years is because of the mental health barriers people face today owing to the internet, social media, busy lifestyles, responsibilities, cultural influences etc.
“All of this can cause stress and leave you with no time for self-reflection and self-care,” she says, adding that it is important to stay in touch with who you are, your purpose and your values in a commercialised world.
Oenone recently held a workshop on vision boards, and she recalls having meaningful conversations with those who were already familiar with the concept and those just starting out. Her aim is to create a community of people who can get together and share their vision/purpose so that they can inspire each other on this journey.
“Engaging with a community that supports you can do wonders in helping you achieve your goals and live a meaningful life. We can’t live this life alone,” she says.
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| Tips to creating a vision board | |
| Oenone shares with us her guide to channelling ideas into vision boards that work There are three things that you need to keep in mind when creating your vision board. * Means something to you: The process of creating your vision board should mean something to you. I always tell people there is no perfect way, you need to find what works for you. *Action: Also just having the vision board up is not enough, you have to always pair it with action. *Reflect: It’s good to revisit your vision board once a month to reflect on how far you have come, if there is anything else you need to add etc. That’s when the board does have an impact in your life. Here are a few simple guidelines on how you can put together your vision board. 1. Think about the purpose of your vision board. Is it for your goals, your business, your work life etc. 2. Find a canvas that you can use as a vision board. You can use a Bristol board or buy a cork board 3. Collect old magazine cutouts, mementos, post cards, scrapbook paper whatever inspires you and set them out. 4. Set aside some quiet time (with no disturbances). You can get the help of someone to make sure you are not disturbed. 5. Set the ambience. I like to have some light music playing in the background. 6. Start your vision board! Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s your personal board and should inspire you and remind you to stay inspired. 1. Think about the purpose of your vision board. Is it for your goals, your business, your work life etc. 2. Find a canvas that you can use as a vision board. You can use a Bristol board or buy a cork board from our online store. 3. Collect old magazine cutouts, mementos, post cards, scrapbook paper whatever inspires you and set them out. 4. Set aside some quiet time (with no disturbances). You can get the help of someone to make sure you are not disturbed. 5. Set the ambience. I like to have some light music playing in the background. 6. Start your vision board! Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s your personal board and should inspire you and remind you to stay inspired. |