Make This the Year You Dream Together

"Kickstart your year with a creative 'New Year's Vision Board Date' to build a shared future for your marriage."

The start of a new year brings with it an opportunity to start fresh and give some energy to parts of life that need a little attention. We don't do New Year's resolutions in our family. Instead, we have a tradition of each person selecting a word of the year. I love this practice because it provides a clear, simple way to focus on one thing throughout the year—across many areas of my life.

Creating a vision board as a couple can provide that same simple focus for you and your spouse together, with the same powerful impact as a word of the year. Research shows that most relationship conflict is rooted in unfulfilled dreams. Making a vision board is not only a fun way to spend time together, but it can also strengthen your relationship by bringing those dreams into the light.

A vision board is a collage of images that represent goals and dreams. It can include cut-out pictures from magazines and words that help enhance your communication, visually represent your goals, and encourage collaboration and teamwork.

How to Make a Vision Board as a Couple

1. Gather Your Supplies

You'll need a board (poster board, corkboard, foam board—whatever works for you), old magazines, scissors, glue or tape, and a large working space where you can spread out and get creative.

2. Set the Stage

Remove distractions and start with prayer.

Set aside a time when the two of you can have focused time together—after the kids are in bed, at a friend's house, or during an overnight trip for just the two of you. Create the environment you enjoy: phones in the other room, TV off, some background music, your favorite snacks nearby.

Begin by praying together. Ask God to guide you as you seek to align your goals and dreams as a couple, to be used for His glory, and to be intentional about the legacy you're leaving.

Questions to help identify your shared dreams and goals:

• What is God teaching us? In what areas does He want to transform us?

• What character traits do we want to develop individually and together?

• What brings you the most joy in our marriage?

• How can we improve our communication to reflect God's love?

• What legacy do we want to leave for our family?

• How can we honor God with our finances?

• What excites you most about the upcoming year?

  
  

3. Find Images and Words

Go through the magazines and cut out images and words that resonate with you and the vision you have for your marriage. Once you've gone through your stack of magazines, switch with your spouse and go through theirs.

4. Discuss Together

This is where the real work—and real connection—happens.

Lay out all of the words and images and go through each one, explaining to each other why it spoke to you. This will be fun and eye-opening. Practice really listening to your spouse without interrupting or judging. There will be some images you agree on and some you don't. This exercise can create honest, vulnerable dialogue about what matters most to each of you.

Keep in mind that the goal is to create a shared vision. It's okay if some images or words are better suited for a personal vision board. Your couple vision board is about what you want to build together, so you should both share the vision for an image or word to make the final cut.

5. Create and Display the Board

Arrange and design the visuals in a way that feels meaningful to you both. Glue images and words onto the board, adding personal touches such as drawings, handwritten notes, or a photo of the two of you.

Agree on a location for displaying the board in a place where you will both see it daily—your bedroom, bathroom mirror, closet, or home office. The key is regular visibility.

Make it a living tool: Regularly check in to discuss progress, make adjustments, pray over your vision, and celebrate victories along the way!

More Than a Craft Project

Creating a vision board together is more than a craft project. It's an investment in your marriage, a tangible reminder of where you're headed together, and an invitation for God to work in and through your relationship. May this year be one of growth, unity, and renewed vision for your marriage.