Bringing Your Dreams to Life: How Images & Intuition Can Reveal Your Deepest Desires

Vision boards. Have you heard of them? Some may think it’s nonsense—just a pile of magazine clippings and glue. Others swear by them, claiming they’ve manifested homes, jobs, relationships, even healing. But let’s talk about it for a minute—not the hype, but the heart behind it. What if creating a vision board isn’t about magic or manifesting the perfect life, but about uncovering what you really want? What if it’s a way to quiet the noise, tune into your soul, and bring your deepest desires to the surface where you can finally see them?

When you sit down with intention—flipping through pages, letting your intuition guide you, gathering words, colors, and pictures without overthinking—you’ll realize: the simple act of gathering and arranging what draws you in can reveal something deeper than any to-do list or goal-setting worksheet ever could.

That’s the power of a vision board.

Tuning Into the Language of the Soul

We live in a world that teaches us to value logic and reason. But your soul doesn’t speak in spreadsheets or bullet points. It speaks in symbols, feelings, colors, and images.

Vision boards tap into that language. They help you bypass the logical mind and go straight to the intuitive part. It allows you to access parts of yourself that are often buried beneath daily noise—your intuition, your longing, your God-given calling.

A vision board isn’t about curating a picture-perfect life. It’s about listening to what your soul is craving. What are you naturally drawn to? What stirs something in you, even if you can’t quite explain why?

When I created my latest vision board, I didn’t set out with a goal in mind. I just followed what felt good. I simply let myself be drawn to whatever sparked something in me. Words like “community” and “simple” jumped out at me. Images of farmers markets, herbal remedies, old farmhouses, and people gathered around tables kept ending up in my pile. When I stepped back, it was so clear: my soul was yearning for simple living, connection, creativity, deep faith, and a slower appreciation of life.

I hadn’t written that out as a goal, but my soul was loud and clear.

This wasn’t just a collage. It was a mirror reflecting my deepest wants.

And that’s why I always tell people: don’t try to think your way through a vision board. Feel your way through it.

Why Vision Boards Work

Our subconscious mind is always paying attention. It stores everything—your fears, your dreams, the stories you’ve absorbed about what’s possible. And here’s the thing: your subconscious doesn’t know the difference between a real experience and a vividly imagined one.

That’s why vision boards are so powerful. By regularly seeing these images and words—these symbols of what you desire—you’re bringing those things into your conscious awareness. You’re training your brain to recognize and move toward what you want, even if you don’t realize it in the moment.

This process is backed by neuroscience. When you visualize something repeatedly, your brain starts to form new neural pathways that influence your thoughts, habits, and decisions. In short: you start to act in alignment with what you’ve been seeing.

It’s like setting your internal compass.

How to Create a Vision Board That Reflects the Real You

Here’s how to get started (and some tips to make it extra nourishing):

1. Gather Your Supplies

You’ll need:

• A board (poster board, corkboard, or even a big piece of cardboard)

• Old magazines, newspapers, or printed images (I got a ton of magazines from a used bookstore for under $5! The library is a good place to check too.)

• Scissors and glue or pins

• Optional: markers, stickers, washi tape, or any creative tools that light you up

2. Set the Mood

Light a candle. Turn off your phone. Make some tea. Put on music that makes you happy. This is a sacred moment, not a rushed task to check off your to-do list. Be in the moment.

3. Collect Freely

Don’t overthink it. If an image or word catches your eye, if it stirs something within you—peace, curiosity, longing, joy—even if you don’t know why—cut it out. Don’t try to be logical. Just follow what pulls you. Trust that your intuition knows something your mind hasn’t caught up to yet.

4. Lay It Out Before You Glue

Once you’ve got a pile to work with, start laying the pieces out on your board. Just let it flow and allow the connections to emerge. There's no wrong way to do this. You might notice a theme forming—colors, emotions, patterns, or messages that feel connected. Some things may not fit the final board, and that’s okay. They still helped you learn something about yourself. I like to save my extra pieces for future projects.

Remember, there are no rules when it comes to creating. Want to leave white space? Do it. Want to overlap and layer? Go for it. Want to add your own words, prayers, or doodles? Yes, yes, yes. This board is for you.

5. Solidify It With Intention

As you attach each piece, think of it as anchoring your intention. You’re saying: Yes, this matters to me. This is part of my vision.

6. Place It Where You’ll See It

Put it somewhere you’ll notice often—your closet, office, kitchen. It’s not just a decoration. It’s a daily reminder of what matters to you, of the life you’re being called toward. Over time, your subconscious will begin to align with those images, making you more open to opportunities, ideas, and choices that move you toward that vision.

Mine is hanging on my fridge. I look at it multiple times per day and use it as a reminder to pause, breathe, visualize, and feel into what my heart desires.

Helpful Tips to Make It Your Own:

• Don’t aim for perfection. It doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest post. The real power is in how it feels.

• Pay attention to patterns. Are you drawn to open spaces, community scenes, spiritual symbols, nature…? What might that say about what you're needing more of?

• Don’t worry if it doesn’t “make sense.” You are a multifaceted being with many layers and aspects that make up who you are.

• Let it evolve. You can make a new one each season, year, or cycle. As you grow, your desires shift—and that’s beautiful.

• Involve your family or friends. This can be a fun group activity to do with your kids, partner, or friends—helping you connect and understand each other on a deeper level.

• Pray over it. Ask God to guide your desires and show you what is in alignment with His purpose for your life.

• Date the back. You’ll love looking back in a year and seeing how much of it came to life—or how your desires evolved.

Vision Boards & Manifestation

Manifestation isn’t about magic or just “wishing really hard.” It’s about aligning your heart, mind, and actions with the life you’re being called to create. A vision board helps anchor that alignment.

It can help you:

• Clarify your desires. Often, we don’t even know what we want until we see it.

• Activate your brain.Your mind starts scanning for people, opportunities, and paths that match your vision.

• Remind you daily. It gently nudges you toward intentional decisions, and helps you resist distractions that don’t match your values.

So yes, vision boards are about manifestation—but not in a superficial way. They’re about honoring your truth, listening deeply, and planting seeds of intention in both your soul and your subconscious.

Allow Yourself to Feel Into Your Heart

You don’t have to know how it will all come together. You just have to be brave enough to name what you desire. Let the images speak. Let your heart lead. Let God guide.

A vision board can’t predict your future—but it can reveal your truth.
It’s a direction.
A conversation with your soul.
A quiet prayer made visible.

So grab the glue stick, get quiet, and feel into what moves you. You might just meet yourself in the process.