I’m not sure where I first heard of the idea of a dream board, but suffice to say the first time I heard about it I thought it sounded silly. A little Kindergarten-like. A little arts-and-craftsy. A little, well, not me.
But that was before Pinterest. Because with Pinterest, it turns out a dream board is a simple as a few clicks and a few breath-taking images; it requires absolutely no gunky glue or old magazines that give me paper cuts. Pinterest is, in fact, just made for dream boards.
(Someone should thank them for that.)
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I never did explain what a dream board is, after all.
So what is a dream board?
A dream board is a place where you (yes) put your dreams on a board. It can be an old cork-board with pictures or quotes you find in magazines pasted up, or it can be a digital Pinterest-friendly one. Either way, it’s a visual board with the goal of inspiring you when you look at it and making you feel motivated, happy, and whole every time you do give it a glance. It’s a board to hang next to your desk or computer and to look at as frequently as possible. It’s a board to start you and keep you going towards reaching your dreams.
But there are some things a dream board is not, and some of those things might be things you don’t even realize you are inviting into your life when you first make a dream board. But you might be, and so you need to know about them beforehand (and avoid making a dream board that invites them in.)
What is a dream board NOT?
A dream board is not a place to visually self-flagellate yourself for things you don’t have, or to incite attacks of envy. Think twice about putting pictures of your best friend’s incredible car if it gives you any pangs of “Why does she have it and I don’t?!?” Instead, veer towards images and quotes that give you pure, unbridled inspiration.
Also, make sure that your dream board has your dreams on it. Not your boss’s dreams for you, say. Your dreams are your dreams, and no one else’s. Is it your dream to travel to Afghanistan, even if your husband thinks that’s a bad idea? Put it on your dream board anyway. Your dreams are your dreams, not other people’s.
What do you do with a dream board?
Be inspired. Look at your dreams. Remind yourself of them. Often.
Do you have a dream board? What is (or what would be) on it?
Loved this. This is the second time in about a month where someone told me to do this. I never even thought of using Pinterest to do it, but I like that idea (I don’t really have any available dry-wall space right now). Thanks for this, Claire!
Great idea! I didn’t have one before but I do now. <3
It was pretty funny, as I got to the end of your post on Dream Boards there’s a great big picture (advertisement) for steel garages! At first I thought it was an example of what was on your dream board! HAHHHHH!
yes — i can’t wait for my very own! HA.
Dream boards are great. Thanks for this wonderful idea. My plans, goals and shopping list would be on this board. 😉 Reminds me also of Michael Scofield’s first elaborate escape plan in Prison Break. Cool. 😀
I can’t wait to see your tiny house after you build it!
Me too!
I love Pinterest!!! I also created my own vision board with cork board and glitter!!!
That’s awesome!
Hmm…I have been wanting to start one, and have just the spot for it in the kitchen…I would love to find/build a rustic farmhouse dining table for starters. I suppose I would put other ideas for paintings or photos I would like to create.
Thanks for the push to get going on this!
Oh, I love that idea. I want one!
Really inspiring Claire. Looking forward to seeing your screenplay live! I guess you already have some ideas in mind. To follow this discussion, we’ve created (my team and I) a place for your dreams called PeekStories (www.peekstories.com) where you can write down all your dreams (adventures mostly but also everything you have in mind) and create therefore a dreamboard where you share ideas, pictures, links, things in your mind. We connect you with dream minded people sharing similar dreams to yours in order to share experiences and make them happen.
Drop me a line if you likfe the idea, would love to hear about your feedback.
Best
well this is funny because I was just thinking about getting one going yesterday!! Walgreens has poster boards on sale this week and I purchased a bunch thinking I will get a dream board started. good timing:)
Do it!
Well, I think a dream board is pretty much similar to a “dream book” where you also put down all things you want to accomplish and sort of use this as a reminder / way marker. It’s fun and it also gets you focused on those goals. Subconsciously it can be an amazing booster too.
Absolutely — both work well;)
Dream boards are really great things! It’s one of the tools to pursue your dreams and goals. But I’ll recommend to put on the board not only dreams but your current goals-of course the ones that trouble you the most and need to be resolved, or just ones that of a high importance for you.
These dreams/goals boards are actually working. As author wrote-boards give you motivation, energy to fight, dream, pursue them. They can help to stay focused.
Thanks for this article! It’s really great to a reminder sometimes because some people tend to forget things.
Best of luck!
Popolitov Ilia
Dream Boards are Great!! Sometimes we work so, or spend our days so that our minds lose sight of what are dreams are and at the end of the day we are no closer to achieving them. If we have a dream board and we remember to refer to it often it will remind us of something we felt was important enough to consider a dream, a goal, thus making the achieving of it much more within our reach.
Thanks — I needed this today.
On mine: Provence, France. Bicycling. Baseball. A tranquil space. Writing. Folly Beach.
And they overlap — a lot. 🙂
http://pinterest.com/pedalon54/dreamboard/
I’ve started to do them Pinterest some time ago, I just add things that strike a chord for me or I like the look of – but it’s made me realise I’m a paradox lol!!
I should also add………..it showed me I was completely in the wrong job!
http://pinterest.com/rokchik88/my-dream-board/
Been “thinking” of my dream board for over a year now. Carrying around pics, magazines etc. Hello it is so easy to do this on Pinterest!!! Great idea. Thanks!
Yep! Do it!
I have a dream/vision board. I started it a year and a half ago, and all but two things have come to fruition. Best thing I ever did. When I seen this I updated it for the next year 🙂
HEy I too have a dream book ( instead of board) & of course i also have my board on pinterest. Trust me it works wonders!! If you believe in ” Law of attraction” as mentioned in the ” Secret”, you will know what magic this simple dream board can do 🙂
I have a dream board for places I wish to visit along my round the world trip! It’s a great way to also find inspiration 🙂
You inspired me to go beyond a Dreamboard and make it habits to find your true passion and purpose. Help spread the word. And, thank you along my journey!
Great!
dreamboard=great way to keep perspective and stay grounded, even if it is a “dream.”
Your original post a few years ago inspired me to create my own dream board. The process brought me great joy, and seeing it in my room reminds me to live with intention. Take a peek:
https://ashleeayers.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/why-i-made-a-dream-board/
Oh yay!