Creating a Vision Board for Recovery Goals in the New Year
In recent years, vision boards have gained popularity as a tool for visualizing and setting goals for the upcoming year. They’re effective because they keep your goals visible, serving as a constant reminder of what you want to achieve. If you’re on a recovery journey, you can adapt this practice to better support your healing by shifting the focus to align with your personal growth and well-being.
What is a Vision Board?
If you’re not familiar with vision boards yet, it might be something you’d like to try! They’re collages made up of images and words that help you visualize your goals and dreams for the future. It’s a great visual reminder of what you’re working towards right in front of you.
How can I make my vision board support my recovery journey?
You can start by imagining the year ahead with a focus on your mental well-being, happiness, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Before diving in, here are some questions you can ask yourself to help guide the process:
- What are the most important things I want to focus on this year? This might include taking better care of myself, working on my faith, or spending more time with the people I love.
- What new habits could I include to improve my mental health? Think about things like therapy, journaling, or taking a few quiet moments each day to relax.
- How do I want to feel more often? Maybe it’s feelings like peace, happiness, or gratitude that you’d like to bring into your everyday life.
- What words or reminders can help me when I’m struggling? Find a few affirmations or messages that can uplift you when things get tough.
- Are there any quotes, or images that remind me of my journey or values? Look for visuals that inspire you and represent your growth and recovery.
- Are there any relationships I’d like to focus on? This might be a chance to strengthen your bond with family, friends, or anyone who makes you feel supported.
- What fun hobbies would I like to try or spend more time on? Whether it’s journaling, drawing, dancing, or something else, think about what sparks joy for you.
Once you’ve reflected on these questions, start browsing through magazines or Pinterest to gather visuals that resonate with you. These might include pictures of activities you want to add to your life, quotes or words that inspire you, or images of loved ones and people who motivate you.
As you put your vision board together, consider how each image or element supports your recovery journey. For example, a calming image of nature might encourage you to practice grounding techniques when you’re feeling overwhelmed. A picture of an activity you love could inspire you to stay active—whether that’s through exercise, creativity, or mental wellness—as part of your healing process.
Vision boards aren’t just a great way to stay focused—they’re also a fun and creative activity! You can make it a part of your self-care or even invite friends to join in. Whether you’re flipping through magazines to find inspiring words and images that support your recovery, or creating a digital collage with what you found on Pinterest, it’s an enjoyable process. Once your vision board is ready, place it somewhere you’ll see it often—like on your desk, nightstand, dresser, or even as your phone’s wallpaper. The key is to keep it visible so it can motivate and remind you as you work towards your goals and the future you envision.
Creating a vision board turns your goals into something you can see and touch, making it a powerful daily reminder of what you’re striving for—especially in recovery. It takes those big, abstract goals and brings them to life through images and actionable steps. You can also turn to your vision board for encouragement when diet culture, triggers, or recovery challenges pop up. This can help you stay motivated, gain more clarity, and feel empowered as you navigate the ups and downs of your recovery journey.
