Why I don't like vision boards (and what to do instead)

Helane Androne

English Professor | Writing Life Coach | Actor & VO Artist

January 4, 2024

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I know there are at least a few people who only opened this post because they demand an explanation. And I will give it. But before you judge me, or think you're here to sign up for the Anti-Vision Board Choir, hear me out.

When a person says that they don't like vision boards, people automatically assume that it somehow means that they don’t like visions. Or that they aren’t supportive of the hopefulness and faith that those boards represent. That’s not it. I love vision, of course. How would we accomplish anything substantial without vision?

It’s the boards that bother me.

My feelings about vision boards are actually not about casting vision. Those feelings are all about the craftiness that goes into the boarding of visions. I know some of you just got back from collage-and-paint parties and vision board sips. I'm not mad.

I’m just a Creative who isn't into crafting. (Now, I can literally feel the judgment.)

Listen, I love seeing other people craft things. I LOVE artistic manifestations of all sorts, especially things that reflect depth and insight and hope. I also love to support other people as they play "seek and find," and watch as they carefully cut and paste those representative images of hopefulness. Some Creatives happily glue and layer and bedazzle amazing, important aspirations for their lives on vision boards. And I will happily support ALL of that. From a distance. Preferably with snacks in one hand, and a drink in the other.

Honestly, there are few things that I dislike more than crafting.

Hear me out, Creatives! Don’t get me wrong, I have represented in the Crafty Creative Collective–a LOT. I did all the crafting projects with my kids that you can imagine. I put together the imagination building bags and folders for ALL the road trips (even that sheet pan DIY desk contraption thing with the glued-on magnet for creating metallic sculpture stuff!). I sat and encouraged my kids as we cut, pasted, sorted, stuck, poked, glued, and manifested every cool, weird, and silly idea that came into their delightful minds. I hosted birthday parties with all the construction paper, glue sticks, bubble eyes, and colorful straw bits you can imagine. We even turned baking into crafty imagination station projects. The reality is that none of that was because I love crafting; it was because I love THEM. It's the hazing I smile through as I pray, scrapbook (and weep) my way to the title, “Best Mom Ever.”

So, for me, the idea of crafting myself a vision board makes me want to craft an excuse to leave.

Why? The truth is that it’s just not in my gift set. I can do it, but it brings me no pleasure. In fact, it makes me anxious to have all those pieces and parts surrounding me with the expectation that I’m going to turn them into representations of my life’s meaning, hopes, and vision. I’m a writer. I prefer to craft stories that conjure images. I lean into simple tools and screens. I don’t ever have a need to use crayons, markers (unless it’s a highlighter), fancy glitter sticky words, or glue guns. I love to look at visual beauty. I just don’t love to create it.

"But vision boards are important!" you say, banging the table dramatically.

They are. But they’re not the only way to treat your vision with respect or hope or beauty.

Let me free up somebody: All Creatives aren’t into EVERY creative act. I don't want to go to the Vision Board Party--unless there will be really good food. And wine.

Some of us are not crafty, do not lean into cutting, pasting, bedazzling, or clipping. And the expectation to do it is keeping us from starting, finishing, or conceptualizing the real “vision boards” we should have.

If you’re struggling with the effort to cast your vision onto a board in the traditional way, here’s an important principle to cling to: More than anything, your vision should speak to YOU. Lean into YOUR gifts, what feels most natural to you, and use THAT as the medium for casting your vision. Let go of the pressure to create anything that doesn't welcome you to it.

Trends can be fun, but if they’re not fun for YOU, don’t force yourself to enjoy them. That causes procrastination and creative blocks, which are incredibly frustrating for Creative people. Don't we have enough to struggle over?

Instead, free yourself from a mindset that demands that you use the same tools and enjoy the same creative outlets as everyone else. You want to cast vision differently? Here are a few low(er)-pressure (un-bedazzled) alternatives that are fun for me. Maybe one will inspire you:

• The List. Write a bullet list, with the addition of a few emojis (maybe).

• The Speech. Record yourself speaking that vision and those hopes. Use whatever language and energy you want to hear reflected back at you. You can also use simple, straightforward statement starters like, “I want to see myself in a ____ or doing ____”

• The Letter. Compose a letter to your future self. This is especially useful if you respond well to affirmations. Write to yourself affirmatively and directly: “You are…” and, “You will be…” You can even use quotes you find inspiring.

• The Album. Take photos of the inspiration around you as you move through your normal day. Gather those into an album, either on your phone, or you can print them out, and create the visual you prefer.

• The Playlist. Create a dope Vision Playlist. As you hear songs you know reflect who you want to be, how you want to live, what you want to become, add those to your system playlist.

If you have a smart phone, all of these can stay with you wherever you go. And they won't leave glitter on your hands. (Just saying.)

Look, I respect traditional vision boards–for other people. And I especially love that it helps people to really articulate their desires, longings, and plans. Casting vision is absolutely necessary. I won’t ever argue with that. But if you’re stuck, and the thing that’s keeping you from being able to visualize is that BOARD, then you have to get around that and find a way to cast vision authentically, in a way that represents who YOU are. The point is to “make it plain.” To who? To YOU.

Cast your vision authentically, and you'll reach for it joyfully.

--Dr. Helane

If you enjoyed this post, or you think you might try one of these vision-casting ideas, please let me know in the comments! And if you could use the kind of mindset shift that frees you up and gets your flow going on your own projects, consider a complimentary consultation. You can do that AND find more from me at https://linktr.ee/drhelanewrites.