From Grief to Growth
How Debbie’s Vision Board Sparked a New Chapter
When Debbie came to her first Vision Board workshop in 2024, she didn’t expect it to change anything. She thought it would be a relaxing, creative afternoon. But something bigger happened. That day gently uncovered a layer of grief she hadn’t even realised she was carrying.
Years earlier, Debbie had lost her beloved sister, Sarah Jane, to a sudden asthma attack.
In her honour, she named her business Sara Jane Candles—a beautiful tribute that quietly held so much love and loss. But underneath, Debbie had been living cautiously, quietly afraid that fully embracing life might mean risking another heartbreak.
Dreaming too big just didn’t feel safe.
But sitting with scissors, glue, and a pile of magazine cuttings, Debbie began to reconnect with herself. When she stepped back and looked at her finished board, the emotion caught her off guard. She cried—not out of sadness, but from a sudden, powerful truth: she hadn’t been truly living.
The images she chose—of nature, connection, community, and joy—reflected the life she wanted. They weren’t just hopes. They were reminders of what was still possible.
One image showed a women’s group, something that felt like a distant wish at the time. But not long after, Debbie joined her local WI—and not only that, she became the chairperson. Another photo reflected her love of gardening. Since then, she’s created a space she adores, with a thriving vegetable patch. (Although when she returned for her second Vision Board, she laughed and said she’d realised how much hard work veg patches are—she now prefers a low-maintenance garden and buying organic, giving her more time for the fun bits of life!)
Debbie is no longer just surviving. She’s living. Really living.
In February 2025, she returned to another Vision Board session—this time with a friend. She walked in clearer, stronger, and more confident. Her first board had become a powerful tool, not just an artwork. It helped her stay on track, tick off goals, and move forward with intention.
Her second board reflects the next phase of her life. It’s focused, inspiring, and something she now looks at regularly to stay connected to her evolving vision.
Debbie describes the workshops as a calm, welcoming space—free from distractions, where she can just be. And in that stillness, something shifts. She reconnects to her soul, her dreams, and her sense of joy.
Her story is a beautiful reminder: sometimes, all it takes is a quiet afternoon, a pair of scissors, and a little courage to step into the next chapter of life.
