Can a vision board really help you in your sober journey? According to neuroscience, yes.
You’ve probably daydreamed about what your life would look like when you have a sober glow up. For a brief moment, it feels so real. It even gives you hope. But then you pull yourself back to reality. Because it’s just an indulgent, frivolous fantasy that you don’t have time for.
Maybe you’ve even created a vision board to help you out, but dismiss it, thinking it’s too woo to be real. Here’s the thing- if you can imagine it, you can manifest it. Let’s find out how. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, get comfy, and get inspired to turn your dreams into reality with the help of your own brain power.
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Neuroscience of why a vision board works
IMAGINATION IS REALITY
The brain does not know the difference between imagination and reality. We’re literally living in a matrix, which can be constructed in any way we choose. Notice when you think about a past traumatic event, you get anxious, angry, or upset? Because the brain is processing that past event in real time.
YOU CREATE A NETWORK OF NEURONS
When we visualize what we want, we’re conditioning our brain to create a network of neurons, the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The more we do this, the more powerful that network becomes- to the point that there’s no distinction between not having and having.
PERCEPTUAL FILTERING
Our subconscious mind processes about 11 million bits of information per second while our conscious mind processes between 40 to 50 bits of information per second. That’s because our brain is filtering what’s unnecessary and absorbing only what we think is important. So when we make a goal important (through visualization), our mind becomes more focused on reaching those goals.
HOW TO MAKE A SOBER BOARD
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Canva (if you’re going digital)
- Foam board, poster board, or cardboard (if you’re making a physical board)
- Printer (if you’re making a physical board)
GET INSPIRATION
Pinterest is amazing. You can create a private or public board and start saving pictures there. Even if something catches your eye but it isn’t what you want to manifest, save it. Sometimes pictures can speak to us on a visceral level, awakening feelings we didn’t know we had. You can also put words that tug at your heartstrings- quotes or lyrics from songs and poems you love.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
DIGITAL BOARD
This is for the digital board. If you’re making a physical one, click HERE.
If you’re going the digital route, I highly recommend using Canva. They have a bunch of collage templates specifically for phone wallpapers. Or you can create one from scratch. It’s also free for the first month. You can sign up here. FYI- this is not an affiliate link. When you’re done, download it. Be sure to save it as your phone wallpaper and screensaver so you can always see it.
PHYSICAL BOARD
Now that you’ve got your inspo, you’re going to want to print out your pictures. Make sure to print out different sizes and/or add borders so you can get some dimension onto your board. Play around with the arrangement before you glue the pictures or tape them. When you have something you like, stick the pictures on the board. All you have to do now is hang it up.
How to make your sober board work for you
REAFFIRM & REINFORCE
Don’t just make your sober board and be done with it. Make it a habit to consistently look at your vision board. Save it as your phone wallpaper, put it on your desk, or hang it on a wall. You want as much visual access as possible. The more you see it, the stronger the neural responses in your brain become.
BE FLEXIBLE
Things change. Life changes. We change. What you want today may not be important to you six months from now. That’s ok. As we grow, so do our goals and ambitions. So, if you find your values changing, shift with them.
PUT IN THE WORK
Meet your goals halfway. Dedicate what you can each day towards your dreams. Even if you only have 10 minutes to spare. The little sacrifices you make today for your future is what’s going to bring you to the life you want to live.
Now that you have the neuroscience of why a vision board works and how to make one, what are you going to manifest? Leave a comment below. If you know anyone that will benefit from this, please be sure to share it with them.
I’ll see you soon…in the meantime, love yourself so much that even a Hallmark Christmas movie would be jealous.
