The decorating style of our flat is a little hodgepodge. We have some framed art, a card display for the post we receive, an Ikea 5×5 of ‘stuff’ and a large overflowing bookshelf. Each of these corners of our flat display different parts of our personalities, although sometimes I feel as if we still live in graduate student housing rather then adults who are put together and have a house with matching non-Ikea furniture. There are a few things on display that many homes probably don’t have- vision boards and race medal holders.
I remember watching Oprah once when she was talking about vision boards. People in her audience told tales of how several different ovens were ordered and didn’t work for some reason until the one that did she found on an old vision board when clearing out her desk. A gentleman in the audience said he didn’t believe in vision boards when his wife started making them. But he had changed his mind when they ended up on the show because his wife had a photo of Oprah pasted prominently on her vision board. I believe vision boards follow on from the manifestation guidelines of The Secret, but I have not read it. I remember how popular it was when it first came out though! Who wouldn’t want to dream of something and then have it come true?
To create your own vision board, take some old magazines and cut out the photos that you like or the phrases that resonate with you. I had trouble finding a big piece of poster board in the UK, so settled on A3 card stock. This actually worked out better because I made three boards, each with a different theme (running, travel and my personal training business).
All you need to do is make a collage with the clippings and hang someplace to help you visualise your dreams. You might not know why you like a photo or you might be looking for something specific (for example, a kitchen appliance, breed of dog, or new running shoes, or the perfect beach holiday). You can out the picture of something specific, like I did for the Boston Marathon, if you can’t find it in a magazine or newspaper. You don’t need to make themed boards, as I did this week simply because I had too many clippings. Your’s could be a sheet of regular paper with five photos on it. It is up to you and your dreams on how you want it to look. I tend to hang them near by bed so I can see the board as I fall asleep and when I wake up. Seeing them on a daily basis reminds me of what I am working towards and gives me a little morale boost. I have really been struggling with my injuries over the last few years and trying not to give up on my dream of running the Boston Marathon.
While my vision boards tend to be very handmade and arts-and-craftsy, I do like to display my race bling in a more organised fashioned to highlight my achievements (mental note: I need to update my times). I did a lot of research before buying it (mostly on Etsy). I wanted my display to be unique and reflect multi-disciplines because at the time, I was taking part in triathlons. Many designs were about being a female athlete, but that wasn’t important to me. I really like the design I ended up with, as it allows me to display my bibs (do you save your’s too?) and my personal best (or personal record) times for different disciplines. Before I purchased this board, we used to hang our (few) medals on a old door hinge leading into our living room. Every now and again we would bump into the growing collection and hear a clatter. It is nearly full now (six years later) so I need to decide if I discard some of the medals or purchase a new display. Whenever I look at it, I remember how lucky I have been to take part in so many events and how if I work hard, I can make it to more start lines next year.
If you don’t have the space or budget for a fancy medal holder, go to your local hardware store and look at coat and key racks you can adhere to the wall. We actually started out with a five hook key rack but that didn’t take long to fill! My medals are now hanging in our living room and next to my dresser. I see them every morning when I get dressed and every night before I go to bed. I can also see them from the couch while watching TV (which I have been doing a lot of during lockdown). Once in a while, I wade through them to remember the different races I have taken part in all over the world.
Hanging these visual displays really do give me a motivational boost. I love seeing my World Marathon Major medals in a separate display and look forward to filling in the last three medals. If I had a desk, I would hang a smaller vision board too. These subconscious reminders will keep me focused on what I am striving towards- running the Boston Marathon, travelling to new places, and continuing to build my coaching business. You have nothing to loose by creating visual displays of inspiration. Hopefully, they will bring a smile to your face every time you see them too.
Where do you display your bling and/or vision boards? Do you have your bibs or race shirts displayed too? Send me a photo and I will post it here. mollie@ptmollie.com
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