New Insights on Manifestation Through Vision Boards
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Chapter 1: The Power of Vision Boards
Every year, I engage in the enjoyable practice of creating vision boards. While I wasn’t always consistent and lacked clarity in my intentions, last year I committed to this practice seriously and was genuinely surprised by the outcomes.
2020 Vision Board: A Surprising Outcome
In 2020, my vision board featured an image of a girl wearing a stylish denim dress by a lake. My goal in including this image was to visualize myself achieving a healthier, fitter physique similar to hers. I even wrote “July 1, 2020” beneath the photo, as I aimed to lose weight in time for my son's basic training graduation on that date, with hopes of finding a similar dress in a smaller size.
However, the results were unexpected. The year came and went without any weight loss, yet I kept the vision board up. Then, in 2021, my son got married. When I received photos from the wedding, I was astonished to see myself by a lake in a similar denim dress on—wait for it—July 1! It was surreal that I had forgotten about that image until then. Unfortunately, I had not achieved my original weight loss goal, which was amusing yet indicative that I needed to refine my intentions.
Transition to My 2023 Vision Board
This year, I made a conscious effort to focus on three specific goals. My board featured more text than in previous years, including uplifting phrases like “Healthy & Beautiful,” “Healthy, Wealthy & Happy,” and “I am healthy and filled with energy.”
I included an image of a girl’s legs in leggings and sneakers with the caption “walking,” along with other visuals of healthy women, nutritious foods, and joyful faces. My core intentions for this year were to become healthier, happier, and more attractive.
#### Emphasizing the “Prettier” Aspect
Over the last decade, I had neglected my appearance and felt less attractive. This was a stark contrast to earlier years when I routinely wore makeup and styled my hair. While some may dismiss the importance of these actions, they significantly affect one’s self-esteem.
After the new year, I began walking regularly, and I effortlessly shed over 30 pounds. Remarkably, I didn’t alter my diet much at first. However, as I embraced this new habit, I began craving healthier foods and became more mindful of my eating choices. My A1C levels dropped significantly, nearly eliminating my Type 2 diabetes (fingers crossed for complete resolution next year).
Even though I didn’t consciously look at my vision board often, I believe the images influenced my subconscious. When I initially saw the picture of the girl walking, it sparked the idea to add exercise to my routine, but it took months for me to act on it. One morning, I simply decided to increase my walking, and that’s exactly what I did.
Healthier and Happier: A Personal Transformation
Thanks to this lifestyle change, I feel significantly healthier. On the “prettier” front, I had my hair highlighted and started wearing makeup again, leading to more compliments about my looks. More importantly, I genuinely feel pretty again—a sensation I had long lost. Although I had made similar changes before, this time feels profoundly different, and I can’t quite articulate why.
Some may argue that my experiences aren't purely manifestations since they involve tangible actions. That’s a valid point, but I recently realized something remarkable. I’ve received multiple compliments about appearing “happier” than ever. Just yesterday, a longtime acquaintance I hadn’t seen in years remarked on how good I looked. I dismissed her comment as flattery, especially since I hadn’t put much effort into my appearance that day. When I expressed my embarrassment over my unkempt look, she replied, “It’s not about makeup; you just radiate happiness. You have this glow.”
Today, another friend echoed that sentiment, noting that I appeared more “content and comfortable.” These affirmations reinforce my belief that my vision board is indeed effective. I hadn’t connected the dots until now, realizing that “happiness” is the central theme of my board. Isn’t that incredible?
As we approach the end of the year, I’ve seen nearly all the aspirations on my board come to fruition—well, almost. Since the goal of “wealthy” remains somewhat unachieved, I plan to give that more focus in my 2024 vision board. What about you? I’d love to hear your vision board stories!