How to make a vision board for 2025

Let’s start getting the things off the list this year

Starter_ Startler
6 min readDec 26, 2024

Another year has slipped through our fingers — just like that. It feels like we were just sitting down, scribbling out our goals for 2024, promising ourselves this year would be different. A little progress here, a little chaos there, and suddenly, poof — the year’s over. The drive is still there, the dreams still burn, but there’s always this nagging feeling, this empty space where something is missing.

You’re not alone in this. I’ve felt it too — that ache of falling into the same patterns, rewriting the same resolutions, watching the same routines play out. I’ve been stuck in the loop, caught in the same script, wondering if it will ever truly change.

But this year? This year, I’m doing it differently. Not just aiming to achieve more but daring to become more. To show up as someone new, someone who isn’t afraid to claim what’s been calling their name for so long.

And that’s where creating a vision board comes in — not just a collage of pretty things, but something deeply personal. Something raw and real that doesn’t just reflect my goals but the person I’m growing into. This isn’t about aesthetics or trends. It’s about drafting a future so vivid, so aligned, that it feels like I’m already living it.

What Is a Vision Board?

A vision board is more than just a collage of pretty pictures [Sounds fun and easy right?, believe me IT IS and IT IS NOT 😂 ]; it’s a visual map of where you want to go. Think of it as a snapshot of your dreams, your goals, and the life you’re striving to create. It’s a tool to focus your energy and remind yourself daily of what you’re working toward.

But here’s the kicker — it’s not just wishful thinking. Science backs it up.

The Science Behind Vision Boards

The science behind vision boards is rooted in how our brains process and respond to information.

At the core is the Reticular Activating System (RAS) 🧠, a filter in the brain that prioritizes what aligns with your focus. When your goals are visually represented, the RAS highlights opportunities and connections that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Additionally, the concept of neuroplasticity 🧬 — the brain’s ability to rewire itself through repeated thoughts and actions — comes into play. Regularly engaging with your vision board strengthens neural pathways associated with your goals, making your brain more adept at steering you toward them.Visualization 🎯, a technique often used by athletes, is another key element. By visualizing your goals daily, your brain rehearses the actions needed to achieve them, increasing the likelihood of success. This process is also tied to dopamine release 😊, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that fuels motivation. Each time you see your vision board, you experience a small boost of positivity and drive.
Finally, goal clarity 📝, emphasized in goal-setting theory, plays a significant role. A vision board forces you to define your goals explicitly, making them tangible and actionable. This clarity activates the goal-gradient effect, where feeling closer to your goals motivates you to work even harder. Together, these scientific principles turn a vision board into a powerful tool for transforming dreams into reality ✨.The truth is, a vision board is only as powerful as the intention and clarity behind it. Last year, I learned this the hard way. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of creating something beautiful, but without a clear focus, it’s just a collage of dreams rather than a roadmap to achieving them. My 2024 vision board taught me that aesthetics and vague aspirations won’t cut it — it needs to be deeply connected to my goals and the steps required to reach them.

Click here to explore.

Let’s Talk About My Past [something that everyone loves to gossip about 😉]:

You ain’t the only Pinterest-loving, aesthetic-obsessed dreamer out here — duh, let’s face it. We’ve all been there, scrolling through endless pins, thinking this is the vibe that’ll fix my life. But here’s the thing: all those dreamy, pastel-colored boards don’t magically turn into results. And if no one’s told you yet, let me be the first — vision boards without intention are just scrapbooks for adults.

Let me get real with you — I made all the classic mistakes with my vision board last year.

Pinterest Overload: I fell headfirst into the rabbit hole of “aesthetic vibes,” pinning anything and everything that looked cute. Want to land a job? Sure, let’s slap on some “aesthetic working woman” photos. Did those pictures align with my actual goals? Nope. They were just pretty distractions.

Vague Goals: I thought being broad would keep things flexible, but it just left me lost. For example, instead of clearly stating, Grow my Medium following to 100 readers, I filled my board with random images that felt loosely related. There was no process, no strategy — just vibes.

Empty Words: Oh, and don’t get me started on the quotes. Inspired by my endless scrolling, I added words like Consistency without asking myself the real questions: Consistent with what? Writing? Working out? Something else? Without clarity, those words were just decoration, not direction.

Overcrowding My Board: Oh, and let’s not forget about overstuffing my board with everything. Fitness goals? Slap on a picture of a yoga mat. Career aspirations? Add a whole mood board of chic office spaces. Travel dreams? Let’s squeeze in a tropical beach photo too. By the end, my board looked like the visual equivalent of a buffet — too much of everything and no clear focus on anything.

Procrastination Central: Creating the board itself became the goal. I spent hours cutting, pinning, and arranging until it was Pinterest-perfect. And then? I left it there. I’d glance at it occasionally, thinking, Wow, so pretty, but I never translated those dreamy vibes into actual steps. It became a decoration, not a tool.

No Real Connection: Honestly, most of the images I chose weren’t even personal. They were just trendy, aspirational shots I’d seen a million times online. They didn’t resonate with me or reflect the life I wanted to create — they reflected someone else’s Instagram-perfect dream.

In the end, my vision board was all style, no substance. Yes, I achieved a few things, but with better planning, I could’ve hit 80% of my goals instead of just a handful. But hey, mistakes are where the magic happens, right? Now I know better, and this year, I’m doing things differently.

2025 vision board | How to make a vision board that actually works

My 2025 Vision Board: Starting Fresh
This year, I’m ditching the fluff and starting with purpose — a vision board that actually works for me.

Setting Intentions: Before I even think about picking up a picture or scrolling through Pinterest, I’m sitting down with myself and asking the real questions: What do I truly want? Why does it matter? No more slapping on trendy images because they look cool. This board is going to feel deeply personal, like a snapshot of my heart, not someone else’s feed.

Breaking It Down: Gone are the days of vague vibes and generic goals. This time, I’m getting specific. Want to grow my Medium following to 100 readers? I’m writing it down, loud and clear, and adding visuals that show the process — not just the outcome. Want to get stronger? Forget abstract images of toned bodies; I’m pinning workouts I’ll actually do, paired with weekly goals that push me.

Making It Real: The words and quotes on my board this year aren’t just for decoration; they’re my anchors. They’ll mean something, like “Show up for yourself every day” or “One small win at a time.” And behind every word, there’s a plan — tangible, actionable steps that make those phrases more than just pretty fonts.

This isn’t just a vision board; it’s a reflection of who I’m becoming. It’s my promise to myself — a tool to keep me grounded, inspired, and moving forward. Let’s make 2025 the year we stop dreaming and start doing.

Click here to explore.

To dive deeper into how I’m crafting my 2025 vision board, I’ve created an e-book just for you! 📖✨ It’s packed with carefully thought-out steps, real examples, and pictures that show what works — and what doesn’t. 📌 And because I couldn’t resist, for my lucky charms 🍀, I’ve thrown in some extra surprises to make it even more special. 🎁✨

Click the link here to explore it all in a raw, refined way. You’ll find detailed notes, actionable lists, and everything you need to create a vision board that truly aligns with your goals. Let’s make this the year we stop dreaming and start achieving!

To all my Lucky Charms ☘️,

Whether you are new or the one who’s been keeping up with my reads, welcome and thank you. You guys are my lucky charms ☘️.

Thank you for keeping up with me, thank you for appreciating my work through the claps, highlights, share and comments, I really appreciate it a lot. It really means a lot to me.

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Starter_ Startler
Starter_ Startler

Written by Starter_ Startler

Author and Writer | Dreaming to be your favorite writer, weaving worlds in words. ✨ | Check: https://sizaadhikari.gumroad.com/l/dxgtop Welcome, Lucky charms☘️

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