
Everyone seems to be in a mood to find their passion and reconnect to their work. At a recent (Zoom) gathering of members of the Columbus Freelance Connection, we had fun discussing vision boards and Soul Collage. These are similar methods to explore what matters to you most through a bit of hands-on creativity.
A vision board is collage of images that mean something to you. Vision boards are typically developed with three main steps that are often preceded by goal setting, or even asking questions [What do I love doing? What do I really want?]. Then, gather some tools: a stack of magazines, poster board, a glue stick or tape. Now, the steps: First, search quickly through magazines and select images (or words) that inspire, delight, or bring a flash of joy. Next, spread all the pictures out on a table or the floor. You may discover themes or even repeated images. Group the pictures (or words) in whatever way seems comfortable to you. Finally, using the poster board, create a simple collage. Overlap images. Have some fun. There is no wrong way to do it.
A simple Google search (“How do you create a vision board?) shows multiple methods. Check out the first two:
Here’s one from Oprah:
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a29959841/how-to-make-a-vision-board/
Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) offers a checklist:
https://www.jackcanfield.com/blog/how-to-create-an-empowering-vision-book/
Victoria gained great insight with a vision board from two years ago. She has it hanging in her office for inspiration. It reminded her of a desire to reconnect to art and nature, and spend more time outside. After creating it, she interviewed with an organization and got a part-time job working for a land trust in Athens, OH. Writing grants for the trust allowed her to connect to the arts community in the region. Melissa used a vision board a few years ago to develop her business name, “Rhymes with Orange.”
Denise told the group about Soul Collage. Similar to a vision board (with a search for images), you actually create a deck of cards instead of a large collage. You then use the cards to determine priorities. She described them as similar to “custom Tarot cards.” The process was developed by Seena B. Frost, who offers workshops to guide people to create their decks. According to the website, the method “develops creativity and intuition, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance.” Certification is even available for people to learn how to guide others to create a Soul Collage.
In the Columbus area, Julie Henderson, LMT, is a certified in Soul Collage. She also provides special coaching for women over 40 and offers day-long Soul Collage workshops (prior to COVID, of course).
Another popular method to reconnecting with what matters is Julia Cameron’s well-known book The Artist’s Way. I think of it as a 12-step program (through 12 chapters) to find your creativity. You sign a contract with yourself, commit to writing in a journal every day, and take yourself out on a weekly “artist’s date.” The interesting exercises include a creating a collage in Chapter 7. She recommends 10 magazines and a time limit. Trust me when I tell you it’s FUN.
All this reminds me that we need more fun in our lives. The past two years of isolation and worry—COVID-19, the political unrest rocking our country, climate disasters, etc., etc.—take a toll on all of us. We need to look for joy and put fun back into our daily lives. Maybe starting with a vision board offers creativity and fun in the moment, as well as a way to connect to a future filled with the important things we care about most.