Whether you’ve just graduated high school or university, feel lost in your career, or perhaps you’ve just retired; this exercise is built for you. Look at this collage as a reminder that there is so much left for you to explore. Further, allow this activity to teach you that there are many ways you can dedicate time to yourself.
It’s more than just doing a craft, it is about everything that comes along with it. It’s about finding a quiet space and dedicating a time block to yourself. The time to think about how you want to live your life. And, hopefully, in the futumre, you can continue to dedicate more time blocks to yourself. Because your voice deserves to be heard. So create a space with no judgement, and let yourself dream.
Purpose
In my personal experience, making a visionary collage has helped me to understand what my values are. For example, I have a dream of owning a dog once I start my career. When I added this to my visionary collage, I reflected on what really interested me about having a dog. For me, it’s the companionship, because one of my biggest values in life is forming connections with others. By putting your dreams onto paper, you can hopefully close a bit of the gap, and understand what your true values are. Along with that, I like to put my visionary collage upon the wall, as a reminder that good days are coming.
Materials
- Thin poster/poster board
- Old magazines/old photographs
- Scissors
- Liquid glue
- Picture frame (optional)
- Modge podge (optional)
- Small/Medium-sized paint brush (optional)
Instructions
Cut up some old photos, grab some used magazines, and help bring your dreams to life. Think about your wildest dreams, how can we make them seem less far away? Cut up and glue pictures, words of affirmation, anything that makes you think of your aspirations. Then, glue these pieces however you like on a poster board. Begin to see your vision come to life, and reflect on how this makes you feel. Put this visionary collage up somewhere that feels right to you, where you can look at it on your bad days for comfort. Enjoy the process of creating your future, and realize your dreams are not so far away after all.
Q&A
Q: Where can I find inspiration for my visionary collage?
A: It may spark some creativity to check Pinterest, talking to others about their life goals and dreams, or simply just reflecting on the things you have always wanted to do.
Q: Where can I find old magazines?
A: You may find magazines at local thrift stores, older-style bookstores, friends and family, Facebook Marketplace, etc.
Q: Where can I buy the items?
A: All of these items (except the old magazines and old pictures) can be found at the dollar store.
Q: What is the best environment for this activity?
A: We strongly suggest an open space where you can lay out all of your pictures and magazine scraps; to help you visualize how you will put together your collage. Further, we suggest you make the space as calming and as creative as possible, which may look like playing your favorite music, being away from noise, wearing headphones, being outside in a park, etc.
For more information and/or more art therapy exercises, visit Free Art Therapy Exercises | Causability
