Breast cancer survivor Lisa advocates creating a vision board to stay focused on goals

At the start of last year she created a vision board as a tool to help her focus on the positive things in life.

She said: “Prior to diagnosis I worked in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Planning for the year ahead always meant looking at figures and how goals could be reached. The idea of creating a board of pictures really spoke to me. It’s such a good visual way of keeping your mind on what you’d like to achieve. It really helped me to clarify my thoughts, to remember what was good in life, and what I could look forward to.”

She added: “After I finished my treatment in 2019, I was a bit adrift and found it difficult to focus. I created my vision board in a Cancer Focus NI workshop (well before lockdown) and found it really empowering The day I made it I left Cancer Focus with a spring in my step and a real sense of achievement, which stayed with me for a long time afterwards.”

Lisa’s vision board includes a range of images, including people doing yoga, crafts, healthy foods and people having fun in the water.

“I love the water and find it very restoring. When I was diagnosed, I wanted to run away from my cancer and water was a means of escape. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to swim as much as I’d like during 2020 but the pictures really cheered me up. I have a photo of golf clubs too and did manage to get out on the golf course a few times during the summer.”