Make it Stick in 2026: San Diego's Top Vision Board Events

The start of a new year often brings a surge of motivation to make positive changes. While vision boards are popular tools for visualizing goals, and resolutions are common, how many of us actually stick to them? This year, let's approach habit change and goal setting with a smarter, science-backed strategy.

Here are our five top tips to craft a vision board and habit change plan you can actually stick to for 2026, plus a list of 20+ vision board events across San Diego County.

Traditional vision boards are often a collage of desired outcomes like a dream house, a new car, a fit physique. While visualization is powerful, neuroscience suggests we need to go deeper.

Instead of just a picture of a house, ask yourself: How will that house make me feel? What emotions do I associate with achieving this goal? Visualizing the feeling of success can be more motivating. Studies on emotional regulation show that connecting goals to positive emotions can increase adherence.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, also advocates for identity-based habits. Instead of saying, "I want to run a marathon," say, "I am a runner." Your vision board should reflect who you want to become, not just what you want to have. Include images or words that represent the person you aspire to be. This taps into our self-concept, a powerful motivator for consistent behavior.

While a vision board is visually inspiring, research indicates that your underlying goals need to be SMART. This classic goal-setting framework is still highly effective.

Create visuals that document your progress along the way, not just the final outcome.

Your environment plays a huge role in your ability to form new habits. Place your vision board where you'll see it daily like your bedroom, office, or even as your phone background. This primes your brain and keeps your goals top of mind.

You can also arrange your physical space to make desired habits easier and undesired habits harder. Want to read more? Place a book on your pillow. Want to eat healthier? Keep healthy snacks visible and unhealthy ones out of sight. This aligns with the "make it obvious" and "make it easy" principles from Clear’s Atomic Habits.

Life happens, and obstacles are inevitable so don't let them derail your progress. Think about potential challenges that might prevent you from sticking to your habits.

Create an “if-then” statement plan for how you'll handle these setbacks. "If I miss my morning workout, then I will do a 20-minute home workout in the evening." This proactive approach helps you stay on track even when things don't go perfectly.

You don't have to go it alone. Tell a trusted friend, family member, or join a community to create your vision board and set your goals for 2026. Knowing someone is aware of your goals can increase your commitment.

By integrating these evidence-based strategies, your 2026 vision board will be a powerful tool for lasting habit change and goal achievement.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Here are some upcoming vision board workshops and creative events across San Diego where you can get inspired and craft your 2026 vision. 

Check the respective websites for registration details, pricing, and specific times.

Gather for a fun, hands-on session where you'll craft your own vision board to set intentions and build a beautiful bouquet to brighten your day. 

The Bouqs Co., Moniker General – Liberty Station

An intimate, cozy evening to slow down, reflect, and intentionally vision the year ahead featuring guided reflection + journaling, curated vision boards, a thoughtfully styled tablescape, charcuterie, sweet treats & bubbly, meaningful conversation + connection.

Flexcore Pilates, Bird Rock

Start 2026 with clarity and purpose in this 90-minute Vision Board Workshop, designed to align your goals with creative energy. Through grounding breathwork, mindful reflection, and hands-on creativity, you’ll set meaningful intentions for the year ahead.

Surf Salutations, Oceanside

Join us for a fun and inspiring Goal Setting & Vision Board Workshop, where you'll reflect on your goals, set powerful intentions, and create a personalized vision board to keep you motivated all year long.

Novo Brazil Brewing – Mission Valley

Start your year in devotion to the most important relationship you have: the one with yourself. Year of You is a soulful + experiential half-day retreat designed to nourish your body, calm your nervous system, spark your intuition, and help you step into the version of yourself you’re ready to become.

Nazli Takesh + Kelly Collins, Yoga One – Mission Hills

In this immersive workshop, you’ll be guided through a step-by-step process on how to set intentional goals, create a structured vision board, and an embodied visualization practice that will turn your aspirations into actionable reality.

Yoga on State, Carlsbad

Our Restore & Realign Vision Board Workshop is a guided experience designed to support both your body and your mindset helping you reconnect with what matters most as you move into the year ahead.⁠

Suva Fitness Studio, Chula Vista

This guided workshop weaves reflection, intention-setting, and vision board creation to help you align your energy with what you’re calling in for 2026.

Groundswell Community Project, Maya Moon Collective – Normal Heights

Indulge in an afternoon of nourishment to honor the winter months, curated specifically to balance and restore you. Featuring yin yoga, yoga nidra, acupuncture, sound healing, vision boarding, food + tea, and conscious connection.

The Balanced Yogi, Santee

This guided session will provide all the supplies and inspiration you need to craft your personal vision board, helping you set clear goals & manifest your dreams for 2026.

TOTEM, Trilogy Sanctuary – La Jolla

Brown Babes is an intimate series created for Black and Brown creatives and their allies to slow down, connect, and build community through shared food, music, and creative experiences. Gather for a guided vision board experience to reflect, dream and set goals for 2026. Plus enjoy cafecito of choice, pan dulce, all vision board supplies, and a welcoming space to be in community.

Brown Babes, Cafeina Cafe – City Heights

Gather for an uplifting evening designed to help you set your goals, manifest your dreams, and connect with other amazing women. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere perfect for mingling, sipping delicious brews, and sparking new friendships.

Happy Girl Club, Morning Lavender – Solana Beach

Step into an afternoon of movement, mindfulness, and manifestation. Sculpt Your Dreams is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines a guided digital vision board workshop with a 50 minute sculpt mat pilates class and sound bath, designed to help you align your goals, energy, and body.

Mindcheer, The Sculpt Room - Solana Beach

Gather for an intentional and inspiring Wellness Vision Board Experience designed to help you step into the new year with clarity and purpose.

The Mental Bar, Rolando

Join the Collective Coalition for their 4th Annual Vision Boarding. This is an LGBTQ+ centered event, allies welcome.

Collective Coalition, Ultreya Coffee – College location