The Ultimate Guide to Creating a 2025 Vision Board That Actually Works
Creating a vision board is one of the most powerful tools for manifesting the life you desire. Not only is it a fun activity, it’s an intentional and creative process that helps you clearly visualize your goals, aspirations, and the person you need to become to make them a reality. In today’s blog post, I’m going to walk you through how to create a vision board that actually works, step by step, and show you how to turn your dreams into tangible outcomes.
A vision board is more than just a collage of pictures and words. It’s a visual representation of your future self, your dreams, and the life you want to build. It's a reminder of who you need to be in order to attract and manifest what you want. If you’re ready to transform your dreams into reality, let’s dive into the process.
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Step 1: Reflect Before You Begin
Before jumping straight into creating your vision board, it’s crucial to take a step back and reflect on some key questions. This phase sets the foundation for everything that follows, helping you gain clarity about your desires and intentions.
The first question I always encourage people to ask themselves is, “Who do you want to be?” This is a pivotal question because the person you need to become in order to achieve your goals is often different from the person you are right now. For example, if you have a vision of building a successful business, you need to ask yourself, “Who do I need to be to make this happen?” This might include becoming the kind of person who takes consistent action, who embraces challenges, or who believes in themselves, even when things get tough.
For me, when I first started my business, one of the things I needed to remind myself was that I had to be the kind of person who figures things out. I wasn’t naturally good with technology, and that used to be a huge obstacle. But by telling myself, “I am the kind of person who figures things out,” I allowed myself the space to grow and learn new skills. Over time, I started taking more ownership over challenges instead of feeling overwhelmed by them. That mindset shift made, and continues to make, all the difference in my journey.
Another question to consider in Step 1 is, “Why do you want these things?” Understanding the deeper reasons behind your goals will fuel your motivation when things get tough. For instance, when I was growing my business, my “why” was to help people heal, rebuild, and start over after difficult breakups. I knew that my work would provide value to people’s lives, and that kept me going through the hard times.
Additionally, spend some time visualizing how it will feel once you achieve your goals. Close your eyes and imagine having the life you want. How do you feel in that moment? Is it happiness, excitement, fulfillment, or something else? Make sure to take this step seriously, because the emotions you connect with your goals will help to solidify them in your mind.
Step 2: Brainstorm Your Desires
Once you’ve answered those reflection questions, it's time to brainstorm exactly what you want to bring into your life. Don’t hold back—this is your chance to dream big and get really clear about what you want, whether it's in the next year or the next five years. Remember, your vision board doesn’t have to represent your entire life; you can focus on specific aspects like your career, relationships, or personal growth.
When I create my vision boards, I like to break mine into quadrants to cover different areas of my life. For example, I’ll have sections for my career, relationships, my home, and even my “fun” life—things I want to do to learn, grow, or simply enjoy life. That way, I can have a well-rounded vision that speaks to my wholeness.
For instance, in the past, when I was really focused on attracting a loving relationship, I filled up half of my vision board with images related to love and partnership. I had pictures of couples laughing together, going on road trips, holding hands, and dancing in the kitchen. These were all visual representations of how I wanted to feel in a relationship—happy, carefree, and deeply connected. Over time, I brought a loving partner into my life, and now my vision board includes more balanced sections for my business, community, and home. As my life evolved, so did my vision board.
Even if you’re unsure about certain aspects of your vision, like I was with the idea of a retreat, just put it on the board anyway. Trust that your intuition is guiding you in the right direction. For example, a year and a half ago, I added the idea of a retreat to my vision board. At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend one as a participant or host one myself, but I kept the image there. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a retreat that felt perfectly aligned with where I am now. The clarity came over time, and that’s completely okay. Your vision board serves as a visual cue that allows you to recognize the right opportunities when they present themselves.
Step 3: Get Specific About Your Goals
Once you've brainstormed your desires, it's time to get specific. I can't stress this enough—being specific is key when it comes to creating a vision board that will actually help you manifest your goals. The clearer you are, the easier it will be to recognize opportunities and take action when the time is right.
For example, on my current vision board, I have components of what I want my living space to look and feel like. I didn’t just put “home” on my board. I went deeper. I searched for images of kitchens, living rooms, and the types of spaces I want to live in. I didn’t settle for just any picture that was close to what I envisioned. I kept looking until I found the perfect representations of the home I desire—pictures that spark a real sense of excitement and inspiration.
This process also works for things like vacations. Don’t just put “vacation” on your board; get specific! Where do you want to go? Italy, Africa, Australia—put those images on your board, along with the details that will make it real for you.
What will you wear?
Who will you be with?
What kind of experiences will you have?
Step 4: Have Fun With It
One of the best parts of creating a vision board is having fun with the process. Remember those arts and crafts days from elementary school? It’s time to tap into that same childlike excitement and creativity. Gather your materials—markers, glue sticks, glitter, construction paper, scissors—and let your imagination run wild. The more fun you have during this process, the more energy you’ll bring to it.
For example, when I created a digital vision board for my memoir, I used Canva to play around with images of myself on talk shows, holding my book and standing next to celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Reese Witherspoon. It was such a fun project, and it allowed me to visually imagine the future I want. I didn’t hold back, and neither should you. The more you enjoy the process, the more connected you’ll feel to your dreams.
Step 5: Make It Visible
Once your vision board is complete, it's time to hang it up somewhere you’ll see it every day. This is essential because your vision board serves as a constant reminder of your goals and the person you need to become to achieve them. I personally keep mine right next to my bed so that I see it every night before I go to sleep and every morning when I wake up. This practice helps me stay connected to what is possible in my life, and it inspires me to take action. Sometimes, I’ll just glance at it, but often I’ll find myself reflecting on it more deeply. I might notice a detail I hadn’t seen before, or an idea will pop into my head about an action I can take to move closer to my goals.
Your vision board is a living, breathing representation of your future. Every time you look at it, you are reminded of who you need to be in order to turn those dreams into reality. Whether it sparks an idea, a new action step, or a shift in your mindset, your vision board will always guide you.
What’s Next?
Creating a vision board is one of the most powerful tools for manifesting the life you want. It allows you to clarify your desires, get specific about your goals, and remind yourself every day of the person you need to become to achieve your dreams. I’ve seen firsthand how effective this process can be for people when they create a vision board that truly resonates with them.
So, take your time, enjoy the process, and trust that your vision board will serve as a roadmap to your best life. And remember, the more you engage with it, the more you’ll begin to see the opportunities and actions that align with your vision.
If you need more clarity or help creating your vision board, feel free to reach out to me for guidance. I’ve worked with many people who’ve achieved incredible things once they had the clarity and focus that a vision board provides. I believe in you, and I can’t wait to see what you bring into your life.
Until next time, I celebrate everything that you are and all that you will achieve. Here's to the beautiful journey ahead!
Emmi Fortin
Breakup & Relationship Coach
Host of L3 Philosophy with Emmi
If you need more help, you can schedule a complimentary call with me here to determine if we would be a good fit to work together to help you move forward and achieve the life you desire.
If you’d like more prompts and questions similar to the ones in this article, You might like these guided journals!
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