How I Manifested My Travel Dreams with a Mood Board | Turning Travel Goals into Reality

Six months ago, I was sad, frustrated, and had too much time on my hands, like any respectable girly with no job and no funds. I began dreaming up a life of travel and leisure.

I started making a travel mood board in Canva. That’s right, I didn’t even finish it, and yet next week will be the start of bringing my mood board to life. My unnamed board highlights three countries and 17 cities and approximately 2 years’ worth of slow, intentional travel. (I like to stay in cities for at least a month to really get a feel for a place).

Unfinished mood board or not, the vision I created months ago is coming to fruition through the power of visualization (and the gathering of funds). Visualizing your trips, whether you currently have the funds or not, keeps you present with what you do want. My plan isn’t perfect, but the feeling I have now as I begin packing is the same feeling I had months ago when I started dreaming. I guess I didn’t really plan a trip, I planned a feeling.

So, what’s on my board?

Maybe it’s less mood board and more presentation 😅 but you get the idea

Why I Created a Travel Mood Board (and Why You Should Too!)

I created my mood board to pull myself out of a rut and inspire and motivate myself through intentional travel planning. The act of visualizing brought so much excitement that I began to create the life of a person who travels for a living. If your mood board doesn’t make you want to take action, you haven’t dreamed big enough.

How visualizing my ideal destinations helped me stay committed to long-term travel goals

Seeing my dream destinations regularly kept them at the top of my mind, making them feel more achievable.

• I took the destination images from my mood board and now use them as rotating desktop images to serve as a daily reminder, and keep the thrill I got from the initial planning kept me motivated through challenges.

• When doubts crept in, looking at my board helped me stay focused on the bigger picture instead of getting lost in the details.

• It gave my travel dreams a sense of structure, allowing me to break them down into small, actionable steps.

• Visualization helped me emotionally connect to my goals, making them feel more like a reality before they even happened.

The surprising way my mood board shaped my travel mindset and priorities

I started noticing patterns—certain destinations called to me for reasons beyond just aesthetics.

• It shifted my focus from just “Where do I want to go?” to “Why do I want to go there?”

• Instead of chasing popular tourist spots, I began prioritizing experiences that align with my values and lifestyle.

• The process of curating images made me more aware of what truly excites me about travel—culture, food, and nature.

• It subtly influenced the way I saved money and made decisions, reinforcing that travel was a non-negotiable, not just a wish.

What’s On My Mood Board? My Travel Vision Unpacked

Breakdown of my dream destinations and why I chose them

“What are some countries with year-round warm weather, fresh fruit, and beaches?” is the exact prompt I gave Chatgpt well over a year ago. I wasn’t just looking for travel destinations but countries to move to. I was given a list of 10 countries that I further narrowed down based on the language spoken, cost of living, and any other factors I could think of. My mood board is based on the top 3 destinations that suit my vision and goals in life.

The three countries I’ll be traveling to first

• Thailand

• Costa Rica

• Mexico

Sounds very basic, I know, but my joy is through the roof all the same. While the destinations have been buzzing with popularity for years, I am not looking for a quick drunken weekend or a two-week stint spent hoping from one place to another. The thought of prolonged exposure to these countries and their culture has me humming with delight as I type.

17 cities I plan to experience

With the help of Chatgpt, three cities were picked for each country. I then went and picked a few more cities based on…..pictures. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then they are also worth a plane ticket…right?

I won’t list all 17 cities here in this post. But just to name a few, Koh Samui, Phuket, Escazú, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta, and Santa Teresa.

Koh Samui, Thailand 😍

How staying in a city for at least a month changes the way I experience a place

Out of the 17 cities on my list, I have previously been to two in Thailand, Bangkok and Phuket. It was a marvelous trip back in 2022, but alas, I felt it was too short and have been itching to go back ever since.

I have no issue revising destinations because there is always more to see and do. The world around us is always evolving. What I like about extended stays is the observation. Yes, I am an experienced people watcher. I like to watch how people in other cultures live in their day to day. Something that can not be done extensively in shorter trips with packed itineraries.

How My Unfinished Mood Board Still Helped Me Plan My Travels

Why your mood board doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective

Perfection is not the goal (it never is)—it’s about inspiration, not flawless design.

• Even an unfinished or messy board serves as a mental blueprint for where you want to go.

• Travel plans evolve—and so should your mood board! It’s okay if it changes over time.

• The simple act of collecting images and ideas sets things in motion, even if you never go back to refine them.

• The biggest mistake? Waiting until it’s “finished” before believing in your vision.

How setting the vision was more important than the final design

The process of curating my board mattered more than making it “look good.”

• It forced me to actively think about what I wanted instead of passively wishing for it.

• Even without perfect organization, I still had a clear direction for my travels.

• The vision gave me clarity, motivation, and a mental map to follow, even if I didn’t obsess over the details.

The unexpected ways my subconscious worked toward my travel goals

I began to make choices that naturally aligned with my future travels without realizing it.

• Budgeting, work decisions, and lifestyle choices all subtly shifted to support my vision.

• I became more open to opportunities—suddenly, the idea of long-term travel felt doable, not distant.

• Seeing my board often helped me feel emotionally connected to the idea, making me more proactive.

• Even when I wasn’t actively planning, my subconscious was finding ways to make it happen.

How to Make Your Own Travel Mood Board (Even If You’re Not a Planner)

Creating a travel mood board is one of the easiest and most effective ways to turn your travel dreams into a reality. It’s not about having every detail planned out perfectly—it’s about visualizing what excites you, what experiences you want to have, and how you want to feel while traveling. Even if you’re not naturally a planner, a mood board gives your dreams a tangible shape, making them feel more achievable.

The best part? You don’t need fancy design skills, a structured itinerary, or even a finished product. Whether you use digital tools like Canva and Pinterest or prefer the hands-on approach of a physical collage, the process itself will inspire you, motivate you, and subconsciously set your travel plans in motion.

Here’s how to make your own travel mood board—even if you’re starting from scratch.

What to Include in Your Travel Mood Board

✅ Dream Destinations – Specific places you want to visit (countries, cities, landscapes).
✅ Experiences – Unique things you want to do (food tours, hiking, cultural immersion).
✅ Aesthetic & Vibes – Colors, quotes, and images that reflect your travel style.
✅ Personal Travel Goals – Timeline, budgeting goals, work/travel balance.

Step-by-step guide to creating a simple yet powerful travel mood board

1. Start With a Vision
Before you dive into images and design, take a moment to reflect:

• What type of travel experience excites you the most? (Solo backpacking, luxury escapes, slow travel?)

• Where do you dream of going?

• What emotions do you want your travels to bring? Adventure? Peace? Personal growth?

• What kind of lifestyle do you see yourself having while traveling?

2. Choose a Platform
You don’t need anything complicated—just a space to gather your ideas and inspiration. Pick a platform that works best for you:

🔹 Canva – Best for structured mood boards, customizable with text, graphics, and layouts.
🔹 Pinterest – Great for collecting inspiration effortlessly, perfect for those who love scrolling and saving ideas.
🔹 Physical Collage – Ideal for those who prefer a hands-on approach, using magazine clippings, printed images, and personal notes.

3. Add Your Dream Destinations
This is the fun part—start gathering images of places that light you up! Think beyond just iconic landmarks and explore visuals that feel personal to your dream trip. Include:

• Photos of cities, landscapes, or cultural scenes that resonate with you.

• Images of local food, street markets, or experiences you can’t wait to try.

• Pictures that reflect the atmosphere you want—calm beach retreats, bustling cities, or breathtaking nature.

4. Include Travel Experiences You Want to Have
A great mood board isn’t just about the where—it’s also about the what. Think about the kind of traveler you want to be and the experiences that excite you:

• Do you see yourself learning a language while living in a new country?

• Are you hiking in the mountains, exploring ancient temples, or sipping coffee at a street café in Paris?

• Are you meeting locals, taking cooking classes, or embracing slow travel?

Me completely relaxed unbothered by time or adulting. Forever a stable in my mood boards.

5. Capture the Aesthetic & Mood of Your Travels
Your board should evoke a feeling—whether that’s adventure, peace, excitement, or transformation. You can add:

• A color palette that reflects your vibe (earthy tones for nature travel, bright hues for city exploration).

• Inspirational travel quotes that capture the essence of your journey.

• Any visual elements that make your dream trip feel real—passport stamps, maps, handwritten notes.

Pro Tip: Use photos of yourself that capture the feeling and mood you want to have. These photos do not have to be from trips, any photos where you are truly excited, happy, or free will do.

6. Set Your Travel Goals & Intentions
A powerful mood board isn’t just about wishful thinking—it’s about turning dreams into action. Add:

• A travel timeline: When do you want to visit these places?

• Budget goals: How much do you need to save?

• Lifestyle goals: Do you want to work remotely, travel full-time, or take extended trips?

Tips for using your mood board as a manifestation tool for future travels

✔️ Look at it often. Keep your board somewhere visible (on your wall, as your phone wallpaper, or pinned in a journal). The more you see it, the more real your travel dreams will feel.

✔️ Take small steps toward your vision. Even if you’re not ready to book flights yet, start researching, saving money, or learning about the destinations on your board.

✔️ Let it evolve. Your travel dreams may shift over time—update your board whenever you feel inspired!

✔️ Believe in the power of visualization. Countless travelers (myself included!) have found that simply seeing their goals regularly helps bring them to life.

Even if you’re not a planner, making a travel mood board is an exciting way to turn your dream trips into a reality. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to inspire you. So grab some images, start curating your vision, and watch as your travels start to unfold in ways you never imagined.

Lessons Learned: What This Experience Taught Me About Travel Planning

Why progress over perfection is key when planning long-term travel

If I had waited for the “perfect” time, budget, or itinerary, I would still be waiting.

• Small steps—researching destinations, saving a little each month—added up over time.

• Plans will always evolve, but taking action brings them to life.

• The idea of a perfect trip is a myth—every adventure has surprises, and that’s the beauty of it.

• Instead of worrying about having everything figured out, I focused on getting started.

The balance between structure and spontaneity when pursuing your dream trips

Too much structure can make travel feel rigid, while too much spontaneity can lead to stress—finding balance is key.

• I planned just enough to feel secure but left space for unplanned adventures.

• Instead of forcing a strict schedule, I focused on setting intentions, not itineraries.

• Having a framework (budget, visa plans, accommodations) gave me peace of mind, while spontaneity gave me freedom.

• Travel is about experiencing the unexpected—having room for detours made my journey even richer.

How embracing flexibility led me to unexpected travel opportunities

This won’t be my first, mostly unplanned trip. I have found that there is a lot of magic in this kind of wandering travel style. The best moments in travel often come from letting go of rigid plans and saying yes to new experiences.

• By not over-planning, I can seize last-minute opportunities I wouldn’t have expected.

• Being flexible allows me to extend stays in places I love and move on from places that don’t resonate with me.

• I learned that some of the best experiences aren’t on an itinerary—they’re discovered along the way.

• Travel taught me that the best mindset is: “Plan enough to feel prepared, but stay open to the magic of the unknown.”

My Next Steps & Bringing My Mood Board to Life

My next step is to travel. I don’t have plans to do all two years of traveling in one go, as I have just returned from nearly three years out of the country. But a month or two here or there is manageable and gives me time to rest and connect with family. I want to encourage everyone reading to dream big and take small actions, whether your goal is about travel or something else entirely.

“What destinations would be on your travel mood board? Start creating yours today!”