Living with chronic illness means embracing a life where unpredictability is the norm. Some days are filled with energy and hope, while others are defined by reset and recuperation almost exclusively. In this context, traditional goal-setting practices may not always apply. Vision boards for chronic illness, though, offer an accessible, creative way to set intentions, celebrate small victories, and stay connected to the things that bring joy and meaning. While they aren’t a magical solution for health challenges, they can be a powerful tool for honoring your progress in a way that feels achievable.
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The information in this blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read online. The author of this post is not a licensed medical professional and does not assume any liability for any actions taken based on the information contained in this post.
Why use a vision board?
A vision board is essentially a visual representation of your personal aspirations, hopes, and intentions. It is typically created by arranging images, words, and symbols that resonate with what you want to invite into your life. For spoonies, vision boards for chronic illness can serve as more than just a burst of motivation–they can be forms of self-care! The vision board offers a space to focus on positive possibilities, even when the future feels bleak.
When you approach it with flexibility, vision boarding allows for a gentler way to explore goals without rigid deadlines. Instead of striving for elusive perfect outcomes, you’ll curate a collection of elements that represent your evolving journey. The process of creating and updating a vision board can help shift focus from what’s out of your control to what is still within reach, whether that’s rest, joy, creativity, or healing.
Digital vs. Physical Vision Boards
Choosing between digital and physical vision boards for chronic illness depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and the type of experience you’re looking for. You can even combine both styles!
Each format has its own unique benefits, and both can be valuable tools for setting intentions.
Digital Vision Boards for Chronic Illness
Digital vision boards are convenient, adaptable, and eco-friendly. They allow for easy updates and adjustments, making them ideal for anyone whose needs and aspirations shift frequently–like when an illness and its symptoms ebb and flow. With tools like Canva, creating a digital vision board is as simple as selecting and arranging images, text, and design elements to form a personalized collage. The ability to save multiple versions and tweak them over time makes digital boards a dynamic and evolving practice.
Digital vision boards can also be used as screen savers or phone wallpapers, providing frequent visual reminders of your goals throughout the day. For those of us with limited energy, the ability to create and modify a digital board without needing to obtain physical supplies can be particularly beneficial.
A monthly digital vision board serves as a great example of how these collages can reflect different themes and intentions over time. For instance, one month might emphasize peace and growth, with soft, soothing tones, while another month might focus on joy and art, bursting with bright colors and lively images. This flexibility allows you to tailor your board to your current mindset, making sure its an authentic expression no matter where you are on your journey.
Check out some of my monthly vision boards over on Instagram!
Physical Vision Boards
Physical vision boards offer a more tactile, hands-on experience that can be grounding and therapeutic. The process of cutting out images, arranging them on a board, and physically creating the collage can serve as a form of mindfulness; you are quite literally putting energy into your design. The sensory elements involved in crafting a physical board can bring comfort and a sense of accomplishment, especially during times when other activities may feel out of reach.
Finished physical boards can be displayed in a space where you see them often, acting as a tangible anchor for your intentions. However, they may be harder to update or adjust, so it can be helpful to approach physical vision boards with a more long-term perspective.
Combining Both Approaches
There’s no reason to limit yourself to just one type of vision board! Combining digital and physical approaches allows you to enjoy the benefits of both. For example, you might create a digital vision board each month to capture your current intentions and use a physical board for more enduring themes that you can revisit annually or seasonally. This blend can also offer a sense of continuity while still prioritizing the ability to refresh your imagery as needed.
No time or energy to create your own vision boards? We have a variety of premade wallpaper designs ready to go!
Creating Vision Boards for Chronic Illness
1. Set an Intention for Your Vision Board
To start, take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve with your vision board. Your intention doesn’t need to be super specific or tied to a particular outcome. It could simply be an idea: to create a sense of calm, to find small moments of joy, or to reconnect with creative expression. Focus on what feels most meaningful to you in the moment!
2. Gather Materials
- For Physical Boards: Collect magazines, printed images, personal photos, wash tape, stickers, markers, and a board or large sheet of paper.
- Get a head start with our printable vision board kit!
- For Digital Boards: Use a platform like Canva, Pinterest, or your go-to design tool to collect and arrange your images. Websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pixels offer free high-quality photos that can be used in your digital collage.
- Our Canva Vision Board Template can be a great way to get started!
3. Curate Your Imagery and Words
Select images, words, and symbols that resonate with your intention. You might consider life categories such as:
- Wellness and Healing: visuals of nature, gentle exercise, or relaxation practices
- Comfort and Self-Care: pictures of cozy spaces, restful activities, or your favorite comforting objects
- Motivation and Positivity: uplifting quotes, affirmations, or symbols of resilience
- Create Expression: images related to hobbies, art, or any form of self-expression that brings you joy
4. Arrange Your Elements
There’s no “right” way to arrange your board. You might group items by theme, spread them out evenly, place the most significant images in the center, or just do it all based on vibes. Trust your intuition during this step.
5. Optional: Embellish and Personalize
If you’re working on a physical board, consider adding decorative touches such as glitter, fabric, or pressed flowers (I’m always up for a trip to Michaels!). Digital boards can also be enhanced with overlays, filters, or hand-drawn elements, depending on your chosen platform!
6. Display Your Vision Board
- For Physical Boards: Hang it where you’ll see it daily, like above your desk, on your bedroom wall, or next to a favorite reading nook.
- Digital Boards: Save it as your device background, create a dedicated photo album, or add it as a home screen widget on your most-used device.
Updating Your Vision Board
It’s totally normal for a vision board to lose its appeal, especially when living with chronic illness and its constant changes. As your health, circumstances, and interests evolve, your vision board may no longer reflect your ideal reality. It doesn’t mean your board was unsuccessful–it’s a natural part of the process.
Signs It’s Time for a Refresh
- You’re no longer inspired by the images or messages.
- Your life circumstances have changed, making the current goals less relevant.
- You’re feeling stuck or uninspired, and your board isn’t offering motivation.
- The visuals or themes have started to evoke feelings of stress or pressure.
Ways to Refresh Vision Boards for Chronic Illness
Partial Updates
You don’t have to overhaul the entire board. Start by just replacing a few images or words that no longer resonate. Think of this as editing your board, not creating a whole new draft.
Set a New Theme
Consider giving your board a seasonal or monthly focus. This keeps the content relevant while avoiding the pressure to make permanent changes. For example, a summery vision board might focus on rest and rejuvenation while an autumnal one could emphasize grounding and reflection.
Reflect and Celebrate Your Progress
Before making changes, take a moment to acknowledge the parts of the board that have served their purpose. It’s a lot like thanking items that no longer spark joy when using the KonMari method! You can even keep elements from past boards in a scrapbook or album as a way to track your journey over time.
Create Layers
Rather than starting over entirely, try adding new layers to your board. For a physical board, this could mean pinning new images on top of older ones or using wash tape to update specific sections. For digital boards, duplicate the design to preserve the original.
Embrace Minimalism, If Needed
If the thought of redoing your board feels overwhelming, simplify it! Focus on just one or two elements that resonate most with you at the moment, letting go of the pressure to create a more visually complex collage.
Vision Boards As Self-Care
Incorporating vision boards for chronic illness into your daily or weekly routine can help reinforce the intentions you’ve set. Here are a few simple ways to integrate it:
- Morning Rituals: Spend a few moments reflecting on your board each morning. Use your board as a visual cue to set a daily intention or remind yourself to approach the day with self-compassion.
- Weekly Check-Ins: At the end of each week, look at your boards and consider how your goals or feelings may have shifted. This can be a great time to add or adjust elements, if needed.
- Journaling Prompts: Use your board as inspiration for journaling. Reflect on why you chose certain images and how they relate to your current experiences.
- Mood Tracking: Incorporate mood tracking alongside your vision board to notice patterns in your energy or motivation. This can help guide you through vision board updates, too.
Balancing the Mystical With the Mundane
Making and using vision boards for chronic illness can feel magical. There’s something utterly inspiring about putting your dreams, intentions, and aspirations into a visual format that you can revisit daily. It’s like a commitment to yourself, stating “This is what I want to create in my life.” But even the most beautiful, meticulously designed vision board won’t create change on its own. Transformation happens when the mystical–your dreams, hopes, intentions–is paired with the mundane. In particular, these are the actions and choices you make every day.
For those of us living with chronic illness, this balance is especially crucial. Vision boards for chronic illness might inspire you to seek greater rest, build stronger boundaries, or pursue a creative project. But those intentions still require follow-through in small, realistic steps that honor both your health and your goals. While vision boards offer clarity and motivation, they work best when supported by meaningful effort!
Think of vision boards for chronic illness as maps or compasses, guiding you towards the direction you’d like to go. Like any map, they don’t do the walking for you! If your collages feature themes of healing, joy, or connection, they aren’t just abstract ideas that manifest on their own–they become real through choices, habits, and actions that align with your vision.
For example:
- If your vision boards emphasize self-care, you might set aside 10 minutes a day for deep breathing, taking a restorative nap, or preparing a comforting meal.
- If your vision boards center strength and resilience, explore gentle movement practices, seek support through a community, or prioritize therapy (I’ve used and recommend Talkspace!).
- If your vision boards reflect a desire for creative expression, consider dedicating a short block of time each week to doodling, journaling, or experimenting with a new hobby.
Need some inspiration? Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Best Spoonie Hobbies!
When you commit to small, (mostly) consistent actions, something extraordinary happens: the line between the mystical and the mundane begins to blur. That cup of tea you drink as part of your self-care routine becomes a moment of mindfulness. That five-minute journaling session becomes a portal to creative flow. That message to a friend becomes a bridge to connection and support. By grounding your vision board in actionable steps, you create space for the magical moments that can emerge from the simplest habits.
Vision boards for chronic illness or otherwise are about creating a space where your intentions, dreams, and experiences are honored in a way that feels meaningful to you. By allowing your board to evolve alongside you, you create a visual reminder that reflects not just your aspirations but you adaptations, moments of joy, and growth, no matter how you feel i
