[VIDEO] How to Visualize Better if You’re Not a Visual Thinker

In this post, I give you tips on how to visualize better if you don’t naturally think in pictures or “movies.”

And how you’re actually in luck if you’re not a visual person.

Recently, I was asked the following:

I have a question about visualizing. I really suck at it and wonder if there is any trick I can use to help me do it better. Can I draw a picture and look at it instead of trying to visualize it? Or use a photograph like one does on a vision board? I have so much trouble imagining things and usually end up falling asleep!…

Lynn E.

Here’s a short video with the answer:

The answer, in a nutshell is that there are plenty of us that share this “problem,” in that we aren’t visual people. We tend to think in feelings or emotions instead of pictures in our head.

But that’s actually good news!

What?

No, really. As I was once taught, the end game of our visualization is to FEEL feelings and sensations in our bodies.

The purpose of visualizing is to feel the way you would feel if you had achieved the desired result or state.

For some people it helps to create a picture in your mind of your life as you wish it to be, to help you get to the feeling.

But if you’re not a visual thinker, you can just shortcut the process and go straight to the feeling!

Here’s a quick example:

I have a goal of spending several months at a time living and working in various beautiful places around the world, with my husband Lobsang. One of those places is a gorgeous Swiss village in the Jungfrau region we once spent a little time.

In order to manifest this goal in my life, I need to visualize it.

If I were a “visual” person, I might picture the village in my mind. I could imagine the view from a light, airy cabin there, happy cows dotted among the lovely green mountains. Out the other window I would see the stunning Jungfrau massif. I would hear the cow bells tinkling, and hear a Swiss neighbor calling to a friend. I could see the slant of sun through the picture window and feel it on my face, the steam rising from a cup of tea on the wooden table, where I’m writing a blog post like this one. I smile to see Lobsang doing yoga in the main room.

And all of these images or movies in my mind would lead me to experience feelings of calm, gratitude and joy.

On the other hand, since I’m not that visual, I do try to picture the village scene in my mind, but instead of sharp, clear, detailed images, the pictures quickly turn to sensations and emotional feelings. I feel light and warmth from the sun on my face. I can taste the tea. And I feel calm, gratitude and joy.

If you’re not visual at all, it’s absolutely fine to do as Lynn suggested, to look at a photo for inspiration. Or to draw one if that helps call up the feelings in your body.

The bottom line?

The end goal is to experience the emotions that you would feel if you achieved the thing or state that you wish for, so whichever methods helps you to feel those feelings is all good!

I’ll save the discussion of why experiencing the emotions is important for another day.

For today…

Now it’s your turn

I’d love to hear what you have to say.

When you visualize, do you naturally think in images or “movies,” or do you tend to experience sensations and/or emotions.

Let me know by leaving a comment below.

With love,

Yolanda