Content reviewed by Nicholas G. Glines

Updated on 12/13/2022

Recovery, like life, has its share of ups and downs. The challenges you face at certain times might leave you to feel like you are not getting what you want out of life. Without any plan, it could perpetuate negative thoughts and leave you feeling hopeless. Focusing on goals might seem impossible during these times, but giving up is not an option.

Building a vision board to display what you want out of life in then new year, or any time of year, is a great way to bring motivation and structure back into your recovery. It all begins with one image or quote that inspires you.

What is a vision board in recovery?

Vision boards help you maintain focus and establish your goals in recovery. A vision board is also special because it is unique to you. These are your dreams. How you create a vision board should also be unique. Do you want to use text and photos? Or do you want to use a virtual vision board that can also include video? It is a creative endeavor that has meaning. Some things that you can put on your board include:

  • Images of families
  • Pictures of places you want to travel
  • Inspirational quotes that can help you during challenging times
  • Pictures of paintings or instruments
  • Foliage from a hike you took to inspire your love of the outdoors

The board is what you make of it, so long as it inspires and motivates you to pursue healthy activities.

Vision boards help with focus.

Vision boards help keep you focused. Much like setting goals, the collages on a vision board give direction to where you want to go. They also go one step further than goals in that they help you visually acknowledge your wants and needs.

Boards are related to the law of attraction in that by displaying these images and quotes, you are attracting what you want in life. Therefore, when looking at your collection, you cultivate good feelings about the future. It acts as a source of positive reinforcement, which also helps you stay focused on getting what you want out of life.

Vision boards help you achieve short and long-term goals.

You can use the board to accomplish short-term goals. For example, maybe you want to try a new art style, play music or try a new exercise. Vision boards can help you accomplish this. If you love the new practice, you might create more goals around it. You also might decide the activity is not for you and seek another option.

You can also plan for long-term goals. For example, where do you see yourself in five years? What are you doing for work? Do you want to start your own company? Long-term goals help with the bigger picture, but remember, you need to cross each stepping stone to get to the other side. Incorporating short-term goals to achieve the bigger picture is key.

Remember, it is your board.

Ultimately a vision board is for you, meaning only your dreams will speak to you. Much like recovery, trying to live up to someone else’s expectations or goals never works and often ends in disappointment. When you fill the board with your dreams, you will feel more motivated to go after them. If you achieve a long-term goal, that is terrific and now you can look to the next big thing.

Remember, you can never have too many goals. If you find one vision board isn’t enough to hold all your dreams, create another. You can even use apps like Pinterest to create a mobile vision board that is readily accessible when you need it.

At New Hope Ranch, vision boards are among many of the effective holistic treatments we utilize to enrich your journey to recovery. We also balance our holistic treatments by using evidence-based therapies such as CBT and DBT. We remain a pillar of support and have helped shape a strong recovery community in and around Manor, Texas. If you or your loved one needs help for a mental, substance or co-occurring disorder, then get help today. Find out more by calling (737) 600-8565.