The new year is here, brimming with opportunities, fresh energy, and that giddy sense of possibility. Apparently. But it’s okay not to get caught up in the ‘New Year, New you’ hype. I’m firmly against setting any resolutions or goal setting this time of year. That comes later, when Spring brings me my renewed energy and motivation. But this slow wintering period is the perfect time to grab a metaphorical paintbrush and start crafting a vibrant, fulfilling picture of what you’d like your life to look like in the months ahead. Whether it’s career goals, personal growth, or simply carving out more joy and colour in your life setting a clear vision can help you make it happen. 

So how do you start turning those hazy hopes into tangible reality? Let’s talk about visualisation, manifestation, and the simple tools I use to focus my mind and bring my dreams to life. If you’re sceptical, all I’m going to say is, it works! I’ve been using Vision Boards for 20 years bur recently there has been a host of scientists backing the effectiveness with research. 

 

The Magic of Visualisation

Visualisation isn’t just about imagining something; it’s about feeling it. Picture yourself achieving your dreams as vividly as you can, with all the sensory details dialed up to full volume. How does it look? Smell? Feel? Neuroscientists like Dr. Tara Swart explain this process with fascinating science. She says that visualisation primes the brain to focus on opportunities aligned with your goals—a concept known as “value-tagging.”

In Dr. Swart’s words, “The brain assigns a higher value to images than written words on a to-do list. The more you look at those images, the more they move up in importance.” Isn’t that incredible?! And there’s more: regularly viewing these images can even reduce your fear of new challenges, helping you take braver steps toward your dreams.

 

Vision Boards: Turning Ideas into Images

I’m a massive fan of vision boards for both my life and interior design projects. They’re the ultimate tool for focusing your mind and adding a little sparkly intention to your goals. At their core, vision boards are a collage of images and possibly words that represent what you want to achieve.

Mine tend to look like an explosion of colour, with cut-outs from magazines, photos, or print outs from Pinterest. In the past I’ve included everything from dreamy interiors I’d love to live in, to places I’d love to travel to, and even reminders to take better care of myself. I’ve often made bold career aspirations on my boards and feel slightly freaked out at how far I’ve come. One of the loveliest things about a yearly vision board is reflecting back with gratitude at far you’ve come. Around 15 years ago I set a vision for my dream home, set in the woods, next to a lake. And here I am! 

Creating a vision board can be a real joy. It’s like having a chat with your future self while wielding a pair of scissors and a glue stick! If you’ve never tried it, here’s a quick step-by-step:

 

1. Start with Clarity: Take some time to write down your goals. What lights you up? What makes you grin like a Cheshire cat just thinking about it? I tend to start with how I want to feel, rather than reaching to tangible objects right away. Want that far flung holiday? Is it that a feeling of adventure you’re after?
2. Gather Your Materials: Raid your magazines, Pinterest boards, or even your holiday snaps. Anything that aligns with the emotions you want to feel and represents your dreams should make the cut.
3. Get Stuck In: Lay out your images and arrange them until you feel a buzz of excitement. This is a crucial editing phase. Some images will resonate more strongly than others. Take your time before you glue them down on a board, poster, or even a scrapbook.
4. Display It Proudly: Pop it somewhere you’ll see it daily, whether that’s your office wall, your bedroom, or as your phone’s lock screen.

 

 

Sophie’s Vision Board Ritual

This year I took a long walk across the South down to reflect on the year gone by, making sure I feel grateful for everything in my life. I find it essential to start my vision board process from a place of positivity. Your board shouldn’t fix your problems, as before you know it you’ve created a to-do list which will lack energy and optimism. Instead get into a optimistic state of mind, open to audacious possibilities. Vision boards are about daring to dream and going for what your heart desires without limitation. Honestly the more out-there you can go, the better the results!

For me, I like to think about big-picture stuff like career milestones or dream holidays, but also small things like hosting lunches for my girlfriends, that all add up to a life that feels joyous and fulfilling. This year, my board includes a bold adventures, like hosting more fabulous design retreats and a twirl on Strictly Come Dancing, all feeding my desire for exciting new ventures. I’ve also visualised over half a million pounds in my business bank account. I can’t begin to tell you how very far fetched that number is from my present balance but the thought of it already makes me feel excited and motivated to direct my business towards this goal and what it would take to get there! This is how Vision boards move on from empty dreams, into the next important step. Action. 

 

Manifestation in Action

Manifestation has become a bit of a buzzword, hasn’t it? But at its heart, it’s simply the process of setting a clear intention and then taking inspired action. Your vision board is your guide—your visual reminder of what you’re aiming for—but it’s up to you to follow through.

For instance, if you’re dreaming of a career change, your vision board might include images of people you admire doing the work you’d like to do, in a beautiful office setup. But the magic happens when you use those images to guide your daily choices. Maybe you sign up for a course, reach out to a mentor, or start applying for your dream job.

 

Small Steps, Big Impact

While the vision board is your big-picture tool, don’t underestimate the power of little daily actions. Dr. Swart reminds us that looking at those images frequently can reduce fear and hesitation. The more your brain sees your goals, the more normal they feel, and the less likely you are to shy away when opportunities arise.

 

 

A Splash of Joy

If there’s one thing I’d love for you to take away from this, it’s that crafting a vision for the new year doesn’t have to feel heavy or serious. It should be playful, colourful, and full of possibility! After all, life is meant to be lived with a bit of sparkle, don’t you think?!

So, grab your scissors, cue up your favourite playlist, and start dreaming about the life you want to create. The most important thing is that it feels you, and it feels bold.

 

Need some help getting started? I’m hosting my popular  90 minute Masterclass on Wednesday 15th January at 7pm, to talk you through just HOW you can manifest your best life in 2025 and put pen to paper. Can’t make the live, the session will be recorded and avialable on catch up.

Grab your seat

Here’s to a year that’s unapologetically fabulous, full of creativity, growth, and plenty of colour.