Create a Vision Board to change your menopause and your life

Menopause is quite the journey, isn't it? With so many twists and turns, it’s often easy to lose yourself in the process and any hopes and dreams you once harboured seem to take a back seat. However, that's where the magic of creating a vision board comes in. More than just a pretty collage of pictures of your aspirations and intentions, a well-crafted vision board can become your personalised roadmap through menopause to one that redefines your menopausal experience and becomes life changing. Knowing how to create a vision board is paramount but let’s first take it back to basics and unpack the meaning and purpose of a vision board.

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a creative process that enables you to set clear intentions and goals for what you want in your life. It’s a visual representation of where you hope to be in the future, what you hope to be doing there, and who you wish to become. Fun to create, it’s a powerful opportunity to take stock of your life and provides the opportunity to visualise your future and manifest your hopes and dreams. A vision board is normally updated each year at the start of the new year, but there are no fixed rules. Likewise, it can be modified along the way in response to life’s twists and turns.

Why menopause is the best time to create a vision board

Menopause is not just a biological phenomenon; it's a bona fide watershed and pivotal life-moment. Picture it as nature hitting pause and giving you a front-row seat to take stock of your life. It's almost like the universe is giving you a timeout, urging you to reflect on where you've been and, more importantly, where you're headed. Menopause signals the end of one chapter in your life, but it can also be the grand opening of the next one. It's a chance to redefine, reinvent, and re-embrace yourself. Since you’re the author of your life, you’re 100% in control of the outcomes, so why not set exciting new intentions and create a vision board for the fabulous chapters that lie ahead?

How to define Your Vision

When it comes to crafting a vision board that packs a punch, think BIG and then even BIGGER. This isn’t a checklist of goals or a to-do-list; it's about tapping into the vast reservoir of your wildest dreams. This is your opportunity to really dig deep to uncover all the dreams you once harboured before life, children, work, and menopause got in the way. So, close your eyes and envision the life you've always fantasised about - the one that makes your heart race with excitement. Whether it's sipping coffee on a Parisian balcony, launching that passion project you’ve always dreamed of, or simply radiating confidence and joy; tap into the visions that light up your soul. A vision board is your opportunity to picture your dreams in vibrant colours and create a visual love letter to yourself, a daily reminder to prioritise the moments that keep you going through menopause and beyond.

Start designing your vision board

To truly capture the breadth and depth of your dreams on your vision board, try breaking them down into categories. Think of it as organising your dreams into different chapters of this visual storybook.

• Personal development: envision the person you're becoming and the skills you're mastering.
• Relationships and family: why not paint a picture of the connections and joyous moments you desire?
• Career aspirations or retirement: visualise your perfect day and how you will be feeling.
• Home: imagine creating a space that reflects your ideal sanctuary
• Hobbies and leisure: imagine the activities that light you up and make your heart sing. Maybe one day you aspire to join a menopause wellness retreat to take your yoga to the next level?
• Passion: do you have a passion that you would love to turn into a business one day?
• Travel: map out those destinations that whisper to your soul before it's too late!

Separating your visions into these categories not only adds structure but allows you to create a vision board that represents the mosaic of your dream life.

Gather Supplies to create a vision board

Gather the tools needed to bring your vision board to life, whether through the traditional collage or the digital platforms like Canva or the Vision App. Browse magazine, catalogues, and Pinterest, and find words or images that resonate with you and that align with your dreams. These might be magazines or digital content around lifestyle, home, nature, fitness, fashion, yoga retreats, meditation, family, holidays etc. You may be inspired by colors, or patterns, or the image itself. Or maybe it’s a word, or a favourite quote or phrase that stands out and that will help fuel your journey through menopause with positivity and purpose. Spend a few hours hour or more doing this. What you should end up with is a huge pile of images, ideas, and cuttings that you will need to create your board.

Mapping Out Your Board by hand

If you’re about to create your vision board by hand, you'll need cardboard (A3 or A4 – really, the bigger the better!), scissors, glue sticks, markers, fabric or ribbons, and maybe glitter, gems, or sequins!

Start to lay out your images on your board. But DON’T GLUE YET! Lay your images out on the artboard before sticking, that way you can arrange or re-arrange before you commit.  When you’re ready, start gluing but don’t glue the edges just yet. You may want to layer some images above or below, so give yourself the option to rearrange if needed. When you’re happy with the final product, go back and stick down all the edges. You might want to place some books or magazines on top to keep your board flat as it dries.

Get creative, get messy but don't rush it. Set aside quiet time and a quiet place to work on it and embrace the process. Above all, take pride in your efforts and enjoy!

Mapping Out Your Board digitally

If art is not your thing, or you really don’t have the time to manually create your vision board, use the Canva App to create your very own digital version. Then, simply type in the word ‘Vision Boards’ in the search bar and it will bring up lots of cool ideas for you to use to create your very own digital masterpiece. You could create a vision board that’s purely pictorial or one that describes your plans and ambitions. You can also search for Vision Boards on Pinterest or by using a Vision Board App which can be found via the App store or Google Play. There’s even a Manifestation Vision Board App you can use.

Make your vision board part of your life

Once they create a vision board, most people make the mistake of putting their board out of sight. However, at Yourself Yoga & Wellbeing, we believe it’s important to place it somewhere special, so that when you look at it, you can continually work on manifesting your dreams. So, find a prominent spot where you can see your vision board on a regular basis - perhaps in your bedroom, near your workspace, or as a desktop screen saver, or on your phone. Start your day by taking a moment to absorb the positive energy emanating from your vision board. Whether it's over morning coffee or during a brief pause before diving into work, let the images and words spark motivation. Let your vision board become more than just a static creation, but a dynamic source of motivation and reflection, aligning your actions with your aspirations. It's the gentle reminder that, amidst the misery of menopause and life’s challenges, your dreams are not forgotten - they're right there, cheering you on every single day.

Conclusion

Crafting a visual roadmap at any stage of life can be a powerful route to changing your life, but in menopause, it has the potential to be a game-changer. By infusing self-care into every detail, your vision board will emerge as a powerful ally in turning your dreams into reality, but the trick is to keep it simple. Create a vision board that becomes a visual compass to not only guide you but empower you every step of the way. Then, by harnessing the power of manifestation and affirmations, sit back and watch the transformative ripple effect in your daily life. Don’t wait for the New Year - start today! This is your moment, so seize it, own it, and let your vision board be the storyteller of your extraordinary journey ahead.

Want to learn more about how to turn your dreams into a reality? Check out our best-selling Manifestation in Menopause Masterclass that's now available for just £25 (was previously £55). In three videos, you will learn all you need to know to finally start changing your life forever. We’re your biggest fan! Go for it! Amazing things can be waiting for you!