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Several people use vision boards as a creative and reflective way to set intentions and goals during the New Year. This simple yet powerful tool connects creativity and psychology by providing a tangible means to align your dreams with actionable steps.

A vision board is a collection of images, quotes, and symbols representing your goals and desires. It is more than just an arts-and-crafts project; it's a visual representation of what you want to manifest in your life. According to Benedict in her paper ‘Using Vision Boards to Reflect on Relevant Experiences and Envision Ideal Futures’ she stated that creating and presenting vision boards enables students to reflect on their personal, academic, and professional experiences and envision their ideal futures. Using this method, you create a clear picture of the future you are working towards by carefully selecting and arranging visuals that resonate with your goals. The process in itself is empowering as it helps you reflect on what's truly important and aids you in applying your energy toward the outcome you intend to manifest. By putting your thoughts and desires into some kind of physical format, a vision board is one consistent reminder of where you want to head.

Psychology behind vision board

The power of the vision board lies in its effect on the mind. Psychologically, they implement the use of the Reticular Activating System (RAS)— mechanism in the brain, which filters information and highlights what is important to you. As per the National Library of Medicine “the grouping of neurons that together make up the RAS are ultimately responsible for attention, arousal, modulation of muscle tone, and the ability to focus”. This means that by consistently focusing on certain goals or ideas, such as the ones on the vision board, you can train your RAS to prioritize relevant information, keeping you motivated toward achieving your aspirations. This helps the brain be consciously aware of opportunities that match one's aspirations on a continued basis. For example, an individual desiring a change in career notices jobs available, network contacts, or specific skills to develop with the help of increased awareness.

Visualizing success activates similar neural pathways in the brain such as physically succeeding. As per The Behaviour Institute, “When athletes visualize themselves performing at their best, the brain activates similar neural pathways as it would during the actual physical execution”. This process includes the activation of motor, sensory, and emotive parts of the brain. For example, by visualizing winning a race, one may activate the motor cortex that controls movement and the limbic system related to feeling. This stimulation strengthens neural connections associated with those actions and feelings, essentially ‘training’ your brain for success. Through this mental rehearsal, you generate familiarity and a sense of confidence with the steps needed to realize your goal. This can help you to feel less anxious about what is expected and can improve your performance when that actual moment does arrive.

Moreover, repetition strengthens the neural connections and rewires the brain to align your thoughts and behaviors with your desired outcomes. This process is known as neuroplasticity. By consistently visualizing your goals through a vision board, you train your mind to stay focused and motivated, even amidst distractions.

Benefits of vision board

There are numerous benefits that one can get with the use of a vision board. The act of simply arranging and prioritizing your goals in order to make a vision board helps to solidify your dreams and aspirations, giving time for reflection on what truly matters. This board serves as a reminder so that your goals remain at the forefront of your mind. Also, they foster positivity by focusing on what one wants to achieve rather than what could go wrong, hence creating a sense of optimism and possibility.

How to create a vision board?

Start by categorizing your goals such as health, career, relationships, and personal growth. Then you can look for relatable images, take some magazines, printed pictures, quotes, and a board. You can also look for inspiration in apps such as Pinterest and Instagram. Select only those pictures and words which can relate to your deepest inspirations and intentions. Now, create your board by setting up these in a certain meaningful and inspiring way; because there is no right or wrong way of doing it, the board should express your unique vision. Lastly, place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it daily to ensure regular reinforcement of your goals.

Balancing visualization with action

Similarly, while vision boards are incredibly powerful tools, they work really well when they are balanced out with equal effort and action. Reflecting on it every now and then will have you making decisions and working towards your goals.  For instance, if your board features a picture of a summer beach holiday then you might start budgeting or planning your leave days from work. Research suggests that combining visualization with detailed plans like “deciding when and how you’ll act” significantly increases the likelihood of achieving your goals.

With the New Year approaching, making a vision board offers a more conscious and thoughtful way to set the stage for a more fulfilling year. Social media networks are filled with examples of vision boards, motivating many people to adopt this ritual. This is a collective reminder that dreams are fulfilled when brought into reality by clear vision and persistent effort.

Your home decor should be a reflection of your personality. It should make you feel comfortable as well as serve all your needs with the highest level of functionality. Every one of us has an idea about what we like or dislike and we do up our homes accordingly but decor trends can inspire you to think outside the book and find styles that you otherwise wouldn’t have come to know about.

So, this year, if you are looking to revamp your living room, make some tweaks in the bedrooms, change the feel of your entryway, or make some simple upgrades, look no further than some of these amazing trends that are going to rule in 2025. Some of these trends are making a comeback so you might already be familiar with them. Let the design trends of 2025 inspire you to live your best life at home while staying true to your personality.

A whimsical gallery wall

A gallery wall has long been in trend but it’s mostly a place to display photos. This year, expect to see whimsical gallery walls filled with random finds, paintings, and other artistic pieces rule the decor space. It’s a great way to ensure random memorabilias aren’t displayed all over the house, giving it a cluttered feel. You can even display items you have collected during family trips interestingly on a gallery wall. Consider framing them or putting up eclectic shelves to hold them.

Artistic furniture pieces

Regular sofas and side tables are things of the past. Think asymmetric designs and interesting shapes. As customization becomes widely available, there is no limit to the type of furniture you can have at your home. You don’t have to compromise on comfort or aesthetics. If you aren’t sure about it, try replacing a regular rectangle coffee table with a bold new one and see how it spruces up your space. You can also opt to replace a main item, like the dining table or the couch, with one in a different design to give your home an instant facelift.

Wonderful workspaces

Workspace was never a designated area in the house. But the Covid-19 pandemic changed that as more and more people started working from home. Suddenly, you needed a separate office space. Strike a balance between utility and aesthetic appeal but opting for large surfaces for desks and plush seating areas that are comfortable for long hours. A lot of people are already showing interest in creating an office space in their homes, making this just the right time to jump on the bandwagon.

Softer tones

There was a time when accent walls in varying hues like bright yellow, red, and blue were all the rage. Then an all-white theme took over with people opting for stark white walls and ceilings. It gave them more opportunities to play around with their decor. As 2024 drew to a close, the shift away from white towards pastel hues and soft tones was evident. Cream or nature-inspired colors like sage green or pale pink can make your space feel cozy than an all-white palette.

Smart technology

There’s something wonderful about making your home work for you and not having to run around for little things like opening the curtains, playing the music, or, everyone’s nightmare in winter, turning off the lights when you are snuggled in bed. There was a time when smart technology was expensive and inaccessible but now there are many ways to incorporate these into your home without spending a lot of money. Start by investing in some smart switches or automatic door locks for an efficient lifestyle at home. Smart technology is all about converting your home into a convenient space and there will be a lot of it to look forward to in 2025.

Cozy reading nooks

2025 design trends seem to be leaning towards comfort and sustainability. The cozy look is one of the recurring themes in design and an easy way to achieve that is by creating a reading nook that’s just perfect for daytime lounging. As digital detoxes and disconnecting from the world becomes more important than ever before, the popularity of reading nooks is set to soar. Thoughtful decor and comfortable seating spaces should be the most important aspects of creating a nook that brings a lot of panache into your space. 

Many Nepali youths tend to go abroad to follow their passion, their growth limited by very few opportunities here in their home country. But are they chasing their dreams or is it the prospect of a brighter future? ApEx spoke to three people to find out how big of an element passion is while making decisions for their future and whether financial stability is the most crucial factor. 

Arpan Karki, 20

These days, it’s evident that many young individuals prioritize financial stability over pursuing their passions. The lack of opportunities and limited employment options in the country compel most youths to go abroad. For many, the goal is often to provide a comfortable life for their families here while they work tirelessly.

In Nepal, the prevailing mindset leans heavily towards seeking opportunities abroad rather than nurturing personal passions. Many families actively encourage their children to migrate, seeing it as the only viable path to success. Non-traditional career paths, often associated with uncertainty, rarely attract young people in Nepal. The majority gravitate towards safer, more predictable options, driven by a need for stability rather than a passion for their work. While a few are breaking barriers and excelling in unconventional fields, the majority dream of leaving the country, viewing it as the most practical solution for a better future.

Ishwor Khatri, 26

When it comes to passion and stability, young people should strive to follow their dreams, pursue careers and investments aligned with their interests. Starting a business or investing in something profitable can be a great way to achieve both personal fulfillment and financial security. In today’s expensive world, economic stability is crucial, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your passion entirely. Pursuing what you love can lead to success because passion drives perseverance, even in the face of challenges. While everyone’s journey is unique, many people face pressure from their families to prioritize financial security over their dreams. However, achieving financial stability doesn’t mean giving up on your passion. Every career or sector comes with its own set of pros and cons, and learning to navigate these challenges is a part of the process. If following your passion isn’t immediately feasible, it’s okay to focus on financial stability first. Stability provides a foundation that can support your aspirations in the future. 

Sharda Tamang, 42

As a mother and a working woman, I find the current situation quite challenging. Everything seems to be influenced by trends, and I’ve witnessed significant changes over the past year. These challenges might only increase with time. For the youth of this generation, it’s crucial to follow their passion while also seeking financial stability. In Nepal, finding a good job is difficult, and even when a job seems suitable, the low salaries often make it hard to sustain a decent living. This is one reason why many young people aspire to go abroad. However, it’s vital for young individuals to remain connected to their childhood dreams and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their passions. Sustaining that dedication, even in the face of family or societal pressure, is key to achieving personal and professional fulfillment. At the same time, it’s important for young people to stay on the right path and uphold good values. This is where family support becomes invaluable. As parents, it’s our responsibility to guide our children if we see them going astray, while also respecting their aspirations and helping them pursue their goals.

Climate change has emerged as a global menace to humanity and the diverse species inhabiting this precious planet. If not addressed promptly with appropriate measures, the very existence of life on Earth will be at risk.

Wealthy industrialized nations, historically responsible for emitting greenhouse gases over the past 500 years in the name of industrialization, have pledged to take robust actions to combat climate change. However, their rhetoric has largely failed to translate into meaningful policy actions on the ground. Global temperatures continue to rise at an unprecedented rate in modern human history.

From a hemispheric perspective, countries in the Global South are in a more precarious position due to the adverse impacts of climate change compared to those in the Global North. This disparity stems from various factors, including the Global North's greater adaptive capacity. However, it is crucial to note that the most marginalized and vulnerable populations, regardless of their location in the North or South, disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change. This inequity arises from prevailing social inequalities, power imbalances, and limited capacity to cope with its adverse effects. Marginalized groups in Nepal—such as women, indigenous communities, Dalits, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQA+ individuals—are no exception. Addressing these challenges requires targeted efforts both globally and nationally, with adequate measures specifically designed to support vulnerable populations.

On the global stage, various initiatives have been undertaken to address climate change since the 1980s. The adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 marked a historic milestone, encouraging nations to adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies as two essential pillars for combating climate change. Under the UNFCCC, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as a mechanism for nations to negotiate and compromise on climate-related issues.

While critics argue that COPs have largely served to maintain the status quo for wealthy industrialized nations and fossil fuel corporations, these conferences have also produced significant milestones. The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, for instance, aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2100. The agreement includes provisions for technology transfer, net-zero carbon emissions, funding, and capacity building, grounded in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Yet, these commitments remain largely unfulfilled by wealthy nations.

Furthermore, recent COPs have increasingly been criticized for being dominated by corporate interests, reducing them to platforms for fossil fuel negotiations rather than transformative action. For example, the president of COP28, Sultan Al-Jaber, is also the chairperson of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Similarly, Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has longstanding ties to the state-owned oil company SOCAR. Such conflicts of interest undermine the credibility of these conferences. It is unrealistic to expect transformative actions to tackle the climate crisis when individuals with vested interests in fossil fuels are at the helm. To restore integrity, COP leadership must be entrusted to individuals with no ties to fossil fuel industries.

The Global South, particularly vulnerable countries and communities, has consistently demanded environmental justice from the Global North. Wealthy nations, primarily responsible for historical and current greenhouse gas emissions, are being urged to compensate for this historical injustice. Key demands from the Global South include technology transfer, adequate funding for adaptation and mitigation, capacity development, and immediate greenhouse gas reductions without false promises.

At COP29, the Global South demanded $1.3trn annually from the Global North to address the climate crisis. However, the Global North committed only $300bn by 2035, distributed through a mix of loans and grants. This response is widely viewed as insufficient and unfair, violating the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities outlined in the Paris Agreement and other global frameworks. Wealthy nations must take genuine responsibility for their historical emissions by providing the necessary funds, technology transfer, and capacity-building support to the Global South.

Additionally, major fossil fuel-based economies such as China, India, Russia, and Arabian countries must also adopt cleaner technologies and drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Nepal, despite contributing a negligible 0.027 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, faces significant adverse impacts of climate change. Key sectors such as agriculture, health, water resources, tourism, and livelihoods are already bearing the brunt of these changes. Marginalized and vulnerable groups, including women, Dalits, poor communities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQA+ individuals, have been disproportionately affected, resulting in severe violations of their fundamental human rights to live with dignity.

In response, the Nepal government has implemented measures such as the Climate Change Policy of 2019. However, the execution of these provisions has fallen short due to various challenges, including limited financial resources, low public awareness, inadequate coordination, a lack of skilled human resources, and weak diplomatic efforts on the global stage.

To ensure climate justice, corporate influence over global negotiations must be decisively curtailed. The prevailing neoliberal economic model, which prioritizes profit over human and environmental well-being, must be restructured to focus on sustainability, human rights, and the planet's health.

Furthermore, major powers such as the United States and China must set aside their geopolitical rivalries and collaborate to address the climate crisis. Nepal, despite being a minor emitter, must adopt resourceful and skilled negotiation strategies to secure climate justice on the global stage while implementing domestic measures to safeguard its vulnerable populations.

The climate crisis demands urgent and collective action. Wealthy nations and major emitters must honor their commitments and take bold steps toward a sustainable future. For countries like Nepal, the focus should remain on fostering resilience, advocating for justice, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against climate change.