Creating Your Vision Board with Milanote: A DIY Guide
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Chapter 1: The Art of Vision Boards
Vision boards offer a fantastic opportunity to dream, play, and manifest your aspirations!
Image by Andy Art, Unsplash
When it comes to visualizing outcomes and actualizing ideas, I appreciate straightforward systems that foster creativity and playfulness. As a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and sobriety coach, I incorporate these methods into my individual client sessions and online DIY resources. One of my offerings — the Alchemist Sobriety Kit & Recovery Journal — includes a Life Design Workbook along with a companion Look Book Project.
In essence, the Life Design Workbook is packed with prompts to assist you in crafting a fulfilling life — one you won't feel compelled to escape from or numb. It’s structured around various categories that cover body, mind, and spirit, including designing your living and working spaces, organizing your schedule and routines, curating your personal style, fostering abundance, and penning your new narrative. Think of it as interior design for your life! (You can access it as part of the Kit here.)
The accompanying Look Book Project lets you create a visual representation to inspire and remind you of your journey. This is all about engaging in intentional daydreaming and exploring possibilities. It centers on you — your experiences, challenges, desires, dreams, and the manifestation of your true self, all captured on "paper."
In this guide, I’ll share the "instructions" for creating your Look Book (which are really just suggestions suitable for anyone, regardless of whether they are on a recovery journey). Let’s dive into Dream Time!
When assembling your Look Book (or mood board), the materials you use are entirely up to you. You can opt for online boards through platforms like Milanote or Pinterest, or go the traditional route with paper, magazines, scissors, and glue!
I’ve created a sample for you using Milanote, which I’ll also showcase as a screenshot below. I’m neither an affiliate nor a frequent user; I simply stumbled upon it and decided to give it a try!
By the way, I crafted this sample at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, my hair has grown to my shoulders (after two decades of keeping it shaved or very short), and my brand colors have shifted from pinks to blues. Clearly, it's time for me to refresh my Look Book!
My Milanote example (before my hair grew and my brand went blue!)
Creating the above board took me about an hour as a first-time user of the free version of Milanote. To be honest, my sample was somewhat rushed and doesn't utilize most of the platform's features — there’s so much more you can do with it!
Of course, there are plenty of other online alternatives, including Pinterest. (I personally find Pinterest a bit overwhelming, but I know many people love it.)
The key points are:
- Just start.
- Enjoy the process.
- Allow yourself to be open about your mood… and your dreams.
This process involves gaining clarity on your current situation, determining what you want and need, and envisioning your dream life (or the next steps along your path). Above all, stay curious, explore, and be open to surprises!
Mood Board vs. Vision Board
A mood board reflects your current state, while a vision board is focused on where you're headed and engaging in intentional daydreaming. Don’t stress too much over the distinctions; just maintain the intention of creating a life you love and expressing yourself! Here’s how to proceed…
9 Steps to Crafting Your Look Book
These are suggestions, not strict guidelines, and they apply whether you choose a digital platform or stick with traditional methods. Do what feels most enjoyable and playful to you!
Select a Theme.
I recommend starting with a focus or theme. In my Life Design Workbook, I provide numerous options through writing and drawing prompts. Here are some ideas to inspire you, but feel free to freestyle!
- Supporting Body-Mind-Spirit
- Cultivating Relationships
- Designing Your Space
- Curating Your Look
- Crafting Your Schedule
- Inviting Abundance
- Engaging in What You Love
- Celebrating Yourself
- Mapping Next Steps
- Seeking Support
- Writing Your New Story
Determine a Starting Point.
Decide if you’re reflecting on the mood of your current life or envisioning the one you desire. If it's the latter, dream big. Start with: "I desire… because…"
Gather Written Inspiration.
This could come from existing journals or writings. You can also create new notes from scratch or compile a special list on Medium. The goal is to provide yourself with anchors and inspiration to guide your board.
Collect Existing Visual Elements.
These might include photos, graphics, memes, or other visuals you've saved online, on your phone, or in real life.
Find New Visual Elements.
Search for new images from the internet, magazines, your home, your backyard, or anywhere else. Many websites offer free visuals. I often use Unsplash, along with Creative Commons and Pexels. If you’re using Pinterest, you can simply pin images directly.
Experiment with Colors and Fonts.
To enhance your boards visually, consider a color palette and font selection. You can derive colors from the visuals you've gathered or start with the palette and choose images accordingly.
Incorporate Links and Movement.
If you’re using an online platform like Milanote or Pinterest, you can add videos, GIFs, and links to give your board more life.
Play with Arrangement and Scale.
Once you’ve gathered your components, have fun arranging them. It may take some time to get everything just right.
Admire Your Creation!
Your Look Book represents YOU — what you’ve accomplished and what you aim to manifest. Use it as a reference point; visit it weekly or even daily!
I’d love to hear about your own mood or vision board experiences! Please share and inspire others in the comments!
Thank you for reading. I am a Doctor of Chinese Medicine who writes about sobriety and soulful living. Find all my links here:
About Me — Dana Leigh Lyons
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Minimalist, Sober, Queer
Chapter 2: Manifesting Your Dreams
In this chapter, we explore how to effectively manifest your dreams through vision boards.
How To Manifest Your Dreams Using Milanote and Vision Boards
This video provides valuable insights into using Milanote for dream manifestation and effective vision board creation.
How to Create Your Vision Board for 2023
Watch this video for a step-by-step guide to crafting your vision board specifically tailored for the year ahead.