Why Journaling Works Better Than Vision Boards (For Me)

All this push toward visual goal-setting is great—if that’s your thing. But I’ve never been a vision board kind of person. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve pinned my share of stunning vision boards on Pinterest (right alongside recipes I’ll never cook and craft projects I’ll never make). But here’s the truth: I still haven’t put my wedding photos into an album. Vision boards just don’t stick for me.

Instead, I’ve found journaling to be my go-to tool for clarity and creating capacity. It’s practical, adaptable, and provides a space to hold my dreams, goals, and all the action steps in between. Whether it’s setting goals, tracking progress, or managing the never-ending to-do list, journaling offers a creative yet functional outlet that keeps me moving forward.

If you’re new to this, start with a simple search for "bullet journal" or #bujo on Instagram—you’ll find endless ideas (and an equal abundance of washi tape). For me, it’s less about making my journal Instagram-worthy and more about making it work for my life.

Here’s how I use journaling to create capacity:

• Work Journal: I track projects, key conversations, appointments, and deadlines. A weekly and monthly overview keeps everything in sight without feeling overwhelming.
• Life Journal: This is where the fun stuff lives—birthday lists, holiday countdowns, dream travel itineraries, gardening ideas, capsule wardrobe plans, and even my “one day” lists.
• 5-Year Plans: These get dutifully copied over from one journal to the next. They’re less about rigid goals and more about providing an anchor—a reminder of what I’m working toward and why.

Journaling isn’t just about organising tasks; it’s a creative outlet that helps me clarify my vision for a better life while keeping the steps to get there alive and in motion. It’s a mix of dreaming, planning, and tracking—and it works because it’s personal and practical.

For me, journaling creates capacity in two ways:

1. Clarity: It keeps the noise at bay, helping me focus on what matters.
2. Action: It transforms vague aspirations into tangible steps I can take.

So if vision boards aren’t your style, don’t stress. There’s more than one way to create a vision for your life—and journaling might just be the one that works for you.

What’s your go-to tool for clarity and creating capacity?