Visionary board for better work life balance - has it worked for anyone?

[PhilosophyStoned]

I have been reading about vision boards on holiday and wondered if this is something that may help me when I get back. Over the last few years, as an empty nester, work seems to have monopolised my brain space. I neither love or hate it but it’s long hours, WFH and emotionally I am drained by it. I still find time to exercise but can’t remember the last time I cooked for pleasure rather than function, gardened into twilight. Meet ups with friends feel like a chore and even with DH we are kind of drifting along, rather than making the most of our blessings. So, I wondered if a visual reminder of everything I love and want to more will help? Thank you for any ideas.

Yes, do it! I've done one every year for the last few years and find them massively helpful. I've managed to do more of the things I love like getting out in nature, pursuing hobbies and finally going on some big trips that I've wanted to do for years. I've tried a few styles...one cutting out pictures from magazines and sticking them randomly on a pin board and another that was more methodical with ideas for different areas of my life. Weirdly the more "woo" picture based one worked better for me. I stick them up above my WFH station so I see them everyday while working.

I think vision boarding can be a nice activity for getting your dreams and ideas on paper. But it’s not going to make you close the laptop and go enjoy your life.

You sound burnt out and depressed. I think you need to make a conscious firm effort to dial back work to contracted hours. Can you go part time? Could you change jobs? Could you take a leave of absence to have a break for a month or two? If no to the above, shut your laptop every day at 5pm and walk away.

Plan stuff you want to do. Sign yourself up for a pottery class. Book in to go swimming every Tuesday. You and Dh go for a walk and have lunch together every Saturday. Meet friends for coffee on Sunday morning. Also get sleep. Make sure you aren’t staying up late drinking wine to try to get some enthusiasm back. Go to bed early. Get up early and go hike 5 miles on the weekends. You have to force the change and actively pursue it, not wait around for it to magically happen to you if you dream it hard enough.

I do not think they work very well, my BIL did them for 3 years since then, his wife left him, his business failed and his life is a mess. I think you need to focus on cutting back on work and your health, rather than creating pressure to achieve pictures from a board.