From pinning to manifesting: How Hyderabadis are visually shaping their goals for 2026

What does your 2026 look like? For many in Hyderabad, the answer is pinned to a board. Created from magazine cut-outs and personal sketches, vision boards are becoming a favorite goal-setting tool for those who want a visual map of their aspirations. Hyderabad Times dives into the creative wave sweeping the city and explores why “pinning your future” is proving so therapeutic for those taking part.


‘Doodling & sketching help bring intentions to life in a way that’s personal & joyful’
What makes a vision board truly engaging is adding a personal touch and a bit of creativity. “It’s not just about collecting pictures — it’s about bringing intentions to life in a way that feels personal and joyful. Participants doodle their dreams, experiment with ideas, and craft something that genuinely reflects who they are. That process of creating something unique is what makes the experience meaningful and fun,” says Sravani Suryadevara, who organises wellness workshops.

‘Letting go is the first step to visualising new goals’
Emphasising the power of letting go, Nithila Rosanna and Pranati Mulik, organisers of a Hyderabad-based creative workshop platform, share that emotional release plays a key role in making the vision board process engaging. “Welcoming something new begins with releasing the thoughts and beliefs that hold you back. Taking time to acknowledge what you want to let go of helps participants approach the exercise with clarity and openness,” they say. They add that the experience becomes richer because of the diversity in the room. “When people across age groups — from children as young as 10 to those in their 60s engage with the same activity, it creates a shared yet deeply personal space. That sense of reflection and connection is what makes the vision board process meaningful.”

‘Creating a vision board helps clarify intentions at any stage of life’
This year marked a subtle yet meaningful shift for 58-year-old Madhavi Vallabhaneni, who joined a vision board workshop for the first time. “For decades, my life revolved around my family, and I rarely paused to think about what I truly wanted for myself,” she reflects. “With my family settled and retirement behind me, I chose to focus on new intentions. Creating a vision board helped me visualise what I want at this stage — learning, new experiences, and taking care of my mind and body. It reminded me that no matter your age, there’s always room to grow, change and live life on your own terms,” she adds.

Vision board essentials

• A cork board, chart paper or thick cardboard
• Old magazines, newspapers or printed images
• Coloured pens, markers or highlighters
• Sticky notes or small cards for intentions
• Glue, pins or tape
• Scissors
• Personal photos or meaningful keepsakes
• A quiet space and uninterrupted time

‘Listing down goals helps you pause and reflect on what truly matters’
For Shagun Chamola, a single parent working as a senior customer relationship associate, the vision board workshop was more than an activity — it became a rare pause. Attending alongside her 10-year-old daughter Adhira and her 60-year-old mother Hitesh Chander, she rediscovered the joy of unhurried time together. “Life moves so fast that we rarely stop for ourselves or for each other. This experience connected us — not just as a family, but as individuals,” she reflects, adding, “My goals focused on work-life balance, family time and career growth, while my daughter’s dreams were about simple joys — drawing, being crafty and spending more time together as a family.”