Manifest Your Dreams: Vision Board Step-By-Step Guide
A vision board isn’t just an arts-and-crafts project; it’s a powerful tool to focus your energy, clarify your intentions, and manifest your dreams into reality. At Ivy+Light, we believe in tuning into nature and aligning with your highest self—and creating a vision board is a beautiful step on that journey.
Whether you’re new to vision boards or a seasoned creator, we’ve got you covered with tips for gathering supplies on a budget, setting the right mood, and enhancing your intention-setting with crystals and essential oils. Let’s dive in!
When Is the Best Time to Create a Vision Board?
The best time to create a vision board is when you feel ready to set new intentions and align your energy with your goals. Some ideal moments include:
New Year’s Day or Vision Board Day (second Saturday in January): Perfect for setting fresh annual goals.
Birthdays: Celebrate your personal new year by envisioning what’s next.
Life Transitions: Use vision boards to refocus during major changes, like a new job, move, or relationship.
New Moon Rituals: Aligning your vision board session with the New Moon can also amplify your manifesting power, as it’s a potent time for setting fresh intentions.
Why Are Vision Boards Important?
Vision boards work by helping you visualize your goals daily, keeping your subconscious mind focused on your dreams. The physical process of cutting, arranging, and gluing images also engages your creative and emotional sides, making your intentions feel more tangible.
Clarity: Define what truly matters to you and set clear goals.
Motivation: Seeing your dreams daily keeps you aligned with your highest self.
Manifestation Energy: Visualization strengthens your belief in what’s possible.
Gather Your Supplies on a Budget
You don’t need to break the bank to create a meaningful vision board. Here are some creative ways to find materials:
Library Giveaways: Many libraries give away outdated magazines for free.
Thrift Stores and Secondhand Bookshops: Check their magazine sections for low-cost options.
Local Businesses: Salons, medical offices, or shops that offer magazines to customers often have extras to spare.
Community Apps: Use neighborhood platforms like Nextdoor or Buy Nothing groups to ask for old magazines.
Repurpose What You Have: Use printed photos, old greeting cards, or even inspiring packaging.
Set the Mood for Your Vision Board Session
Creating a vision board is a sacred act of co-creation. Honor this process by setting an intentional space:
Declutter your area: A clean space promotes a clear mind.
Light candles and diffuse essential oils Scent can ground and inspire you.
Play uplifting music: Choose tracks that elevate your mood and focus.
Meditate or journal: Start with our Quantum Manifesting Meditation to connect deeply with your intentions before you begin. I also like to fill out the beginning section of my Onward and Upward Manifesting Journal to get super clear on my goals before sitting down to create my vision board.
Step-by-Step Vision Board Creation
Define Your Goals: Reflect on your dreams and identify areas you’d like to grow—career, health, relationships, or creativity.
Gather Materials: Collect magazines, scissors, glue, and a poster board.
Meditate and Set the Mood: Start with a guided meditation (like our Quantum Manifesting Meditation) and essential oils to open your subconscious mind.
Choose Imagery and Words: Let your intuition guide you as you select images and words that resonate.
Arrange and Attach: Let your design flow naturally, then secure the items in place.
Display Prominently: Place your vision board where you’ll see it daily to keep your goals in focus.
Enhance the Experience with Crystals and Essential Oils
Crystals
Place your favorite intention setting crystals near you as you set up your craft area. You can also hold a crystal during the meditation before you begin cutting out your magazine clippings.
Clear Quartz: Amplifies energy and intentions.
Citrine: Promotes abundance and positivity.
Amethyst: Enhances intuition and spiritual alignment.
Labradorite: Encourages spiritual growth and transformation.
Blue Apatite: Boost manifesting power and motivation.
Essential Oils
I’ve used lots of essential oils over the years for my vision board parties. I usually pass around an oil bottle or roller and have my friend place a drop in their palm. Then we breathe in the oils, while I lead us in a very simple meditation. A few blends I love are our New Moon Roller blend, Envision, Highest Potential, and Clarity. You can also create you own roller or diffuser blend, with single oils like these:
Lavender: Relaxes and centers your mind.
Peppermint: Boosts focus and clarity.
Frankincense: Grounds and connects you to your higher self.
Bergamot: Inspires joy and confidence.
Can a Vision Board Be Just Words?
Words can be incredibly powerful on a vision board, especially if they’re affirmations or strong, positive statements. Phrases like “I am abundant,” “I attract joy,” or “I am healthy and strong” can serve as daily reminders of your intentions.
That said, we recommend including images, too. Visualizing your dreams in picture form activates the subconscious mind in a deeper way—if you can see it, you can do it!
Where Should I Put My Vision Board?
Display your vision board in a spot where you’ll see it often, such as:
Your bedroom, near your mirror or dresser.
Your workspace, for daily inspiration.
A personal meditation or altar space.
Benefits of Hosting a Vision Board Party
Sharing the experience with friends can amplify the energy and joy of creating vision boards. At our parties, we:
Begin with a meditation to open our subconscious minds. This helps us dream big and trust our intuition to select the images and words that resonate most deeply.
Share supplies and ideas for added creativity.
Encourage each other to embrace goals that might feel too big or out of reach.
Make time at the end to share our vision boards with each other, so we understand each friend’s goals and can support each other throughout the year!
Hosting your own party?
Set the scene with:
Cozy seating and craft supplies. If you don’t have a big enough table, tell everyone to bring a pillow so you can sit comfortably on the floor.
Snacks and drinks to enjoy while you create (get fancy or keep it simple. Totally up to you! You can also celebrate dry January with a nice sparkling tea or apple cider, rather than the standard champagne).
A playlist of uplifting music. Keep it upbeat and positive - find a balance between falling asleep and turning your event into a dance party.
Essential oils, crystals, candles, etc. or pick your own favorite inspiring tools to boost the experience.
Make sure to make time to connect:
Share your goals and dreams with each other for added clarity and encouragement.
Support each other in staying accountable to your intentions.
Enjoy a shared experience that strengthens your bonds and collective energy.
Keep the Energy Going: Onward and Upward
Your vision board is a powerful first step, but maintaining that momentum is key. Here’s how:
Journaling: Use our Onward and Upward Journal to track your manifestations, reflect on progress, and keep your intentions aligned.
Daily Affirmations: Our Crystal Spiral Affirmation Deck is perfect for grounding your energy and reinforcing your goals each day. Pull a card and let its message guide you.
Revisit Your Vision Board: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing the life you’re manifesting. Feel the emotions as if it’s already yours.
Your dreams are worthy of your focus and intention. With your vision board as a compass and tools like crystals, oils, and affirmations to support you, the possibilities are limitless. Share your creations with us on Instagram by tagging @ivyandlight—we can’t wait to see your vision take shape!
Stay inspired, and remember: you are always in alignment with your highest self.
