Emily's story in her own words:

In August 2023, I attended a vision board workshop with Vanessa from Vision Boards for All, hosted by the Chichester Young People’s Shop. 

At the time, I was navigating a challenging period in my mental health journey. I have autism and ADHD, and spent the may of my younger years battling complex issues, feeling isolated and trapped, and lacking self-confidence and belief in my abilities. 

The workshop was one of the first times I felt that maybe I should believe in myself and my future. It provided a creative and empowering space to reflect on what self-love meant to me and helped me to visualise a more positive path forward. 

The vision board I created that day is still displayed in my home, right above where I get ready each morning. It serves as a daily visual reminder of my worth and my goals. Looking back, that workshop stands out as a moment of clarity in my recovery journey—a time when I realised I was capable of more than I’d allowed myself to believe. 

How Vision Boards Can help us problem solve.

Each year, people arrive at my workshops expecting a creative space to map out their goals, dreams, and aspirations and while we certainly embrace creativity, what they leave with is often far beyond what they imagined.

Carey (name has been changed for privacy), came for the 3rd year running, recently shared how attending these workshops has been an experience of self-discovery, healing, and newfound clarity—not just cutting and pasting images onto a board. “I find Vanessa gives me a new found perspective”

"I love coming to Vanessa’s workshops every year. It’s not just about cutting and sticking pictures; it’s a whole experience where she helps me step outside of my usual thinking. I don’t just make a vision board—I get a fresh perspective on things I didn’t even know were bothering me. Being here feels like an escape, a place to switch off and look at my life differently.”

Find out Carey’s journey and why coming every year peels another layer of connection and awareness to herself, to bring inner peace and clarity.

Carey, last year came to my workshop hoping to visualise her goals for a new chapter, possibly a move to Scotland, which was a real surprise, as seemed very settled, but was having itchy feet due to a family member. Going away with her vision board Carey seemed happy this was her next step, and went off to make plans to make it happen.

When Carey rang to do her vision board again this year, I was aware she had still not moved. I was keen to find out why.

Through the use of her vision board and the insights we spoke about on the day, on reflection Carey uncovered a deeper motivation behind her urge to move. She realised she wasn’t genuinely excited about relocating but felt compelled to "escape" unresolved feelings tied to her past and current relationships. This insight helped her face those emotions, understand the root of her need for freedom, and find resolution with a family member, whom she initially felt trapped by. By having that conversation, her concerns were put to bed this helped her see this was all build up on previous experiences. This reflection on her vision board had enable herself to visualise and process the reasons in a more structured way.

Instead of uprooting herself, her board actually made her realise how many friends she has here in Sussex and how settled she was, that she was running away, as in the past when felt suffocated that was the easiest way.

This insight meant she now has helped her to build a better relationship with the family member and be more settled than ever before.

This insight has helped Carey find her next vision and we have creating new ways to make everyday life more fulfilling. Together, we discussed ways she could bring small adventures into her routine, like cooking tapas to recreate the travel excitement at home, as well as visiting themed restaurants, to experience new tastes rather than sticking to the same ones Carey normally visits. Carey has set the intention to bring fresh flowers to her reading nook she wanted to create, as realised she used to buy flowers and had stopped. Instead of coming from lack mentatlity of not having a garden she planned pots and to bring the outdoor in. On top of that Carey is planning a walking pilgrimage next year for a significant birthday, and loved an insight to build connections with friends and colleagues to walk occasionally with her as she trains for it.

Her vision board gave her a roadmap for meaningful changes, not just big life shifts.

In my workshops, I don’t just “hold space”—I strive to provide support, tools, and ideas that help participants tap into the lives they truly want, not just the ones they feel they “should” be living.

Each workshop also includes a workbook, carefully designed to encourage introspection and help map out actionable steps. Participants often find these exercises invaluable for staying focused and intentional, turning their dreams into structured, reachable goals.

Carey has taken these experiences even further. She’s is going to start learning Spanish to prepare for her journey, on the work front reaching out to fellow travel consultants to expand her work network, as well as building new habits to celebrate her journey in life now—not just waiting for the "big adventure."

Vision boarding can be much more than creating a collage. It’s about building a mindset, a vision for life that you can live each day.

Carey’s journey is a testament to this, and she recommends 1:1 sessions for anyone wanting to dig deep, layer by layer, to bring their true aspirations to life.

If you’re ready to look beyond the board and bring meaning to every step of your journey, join us for a session and experience the shift for yourself.

How Vision Boards Can Inspire Students in Schools

Think back to your school days. Before social media you would flick through magazines and be inspired by pop stars.

What if, instead of just daydreaming about your future, you could actually create a visual representation of it?

This is the idea behind vision boards for students—turning dreams into something they can see and strive toward.

Goal Setting Made Fun: Students gather their favourite images, words, and colours, assembling them into a board that represents their goals. Suddenly, the abstract concept of "what do you want to be when you grow up?" becomes something they can touch and see.

A Vision That Grows with Them: These boards aren’t just for today. As students grow and their goals evolve, their boards can be updated, serving as a constant source of motivation throughout their school years and beyond.

They can help Structured reflection, Positive Reinforcement, Visual Inspiration, Empowerment Through Ownership: It is up to us to inspire them to see themselves as the unique individuals they are, encouraging them to play around to set their own goals and reflect on what they love and want to achieve. This helps them take ownership of their dreams and builds confidence in their abilities.