Use a Mood Board for Wellness, Intention, and Clarity in Your Remote Work Life

I’m gonna level with you – I used to think mood boards were kinda dumb. Yeah sure, cut out a bunch of pics and quotes and slap ‘em together and your life will change…Lol. If you’re mood boards’ number one fan, don’t worry: I’ve come around. 

I don’t remember why I decided to give one a try (maybe Pinterest?), but I soon realized they were helping me in a big way. They aren’t just pretty – they are grounding. They give me clarity, help me set intentions, and make my workspace feel like a space I actually want to be in.

Read on to learn how I make my mood boards, step by step, using Pinterest and Canva. By the end, you’ll have the tools to create a visual reminder of what you want to focus on, keeping you grounded and motivated throughout the month or year.

What is a Mood Board and Why is it Helpful?

A mood board is a visual collage of images, colors, quotes, and themes that reflect a certain vibe or vision. Designers use them to map out creative projects, but they can also be powerful tools for mental wellness, intention-setting, and clarity. 

Unlike rigid goal-setting methods, mood boards provide a fluid yet structured way to organize your work mindset. They help you externalize your vision, allowing creativity and clarity to coexist in your workspace.

When you work remotely, it’s easy to fall into autopilot mode. A mood board can serve as a daily reminder of your goals, keeping you aligned with the work-life balance you want to create.

My mood board sets the tone for my work. It’s a way to check in with what I actually want to focus on, rather than just coasting through the months without much direction. And when my workdays start feeling stale, it’s a visual nudge to reset and realign.

The Benefits of Mood Boards for Mental Wellness

Here’s what a mood board can do for your remote work wellness:

1. Help set the tone for your work and mindset – Whether you want your work life to feel calm and focused or energetic and ambitious, a mood board keeps that vision in front of you.
2. Act as a visual goal-setting tool – Seeing images of your goals every day makes them feel more tangible and helps you stay committed.
3. Encourage creativity and self-expression – Your workspace should feel inspiring! Mood boards help you cultivate an environment that sparks creativity.
4. Create a motivational workspace – Setting your mood board as your desktop background makes sure you’re constantly reminded of the energy and intention you want to bring to your work. (I also have one printed and posted on the wall behind my computer so I can see it if my screens are cluttered with documents.)

7 Easy Steps to Create a Work Mood Board Using Pinterest & Canva

Here’s what I do each time I make a mood board in 7 easy steps. You’ll need Pinterest and Canva, so if you don’t have them already, go ahead and sign up. To make a mood board, you just need Canva’s free version.

Step 1: Define Your Theme 

Before you start pinning, ask yourself: What do I want this season of work to feel like? Do I need more focus? More motivation? A reminder to slow down and prioritize balance? Having a theme in mind will keep you from aimlessly saving every aesthetically pleasing image you see.

Step 2: Collect Visual Inspiration on Pinterest

• Head to Pinterest and start searching for images, quotes, and aesthetics that align with your work goals and mindset.
• Use keywords like “calm workspace,” “digital detox,” “cozy work setup,” or “goal-setting inspiration.”
• Save everything that resonates with you to a dedicated board (e.g., “2025 Mental Wellness Mood Board” or “Intention Setting”).

Step 3: Save and Select Your Favorite Images 

• To download images from Pinterest, it helps to be on a computer, not your phone. Click on an image to open it, then right-click and select Save Image As. Choose a folder where you’ll store all your mood board images.
• Alternatively, you can take a screenshot using Windows (PrtScn key or Snipping Tool) or Mac (Cmd + Shift + 4) if the image does not allow direct downloads.
• Once you’ve gathered a solid collection, go back through your board and select 6-12 of your top images. These should be the ones that immediately spark motivation and align with your vision.

Step 4: Open Canva & Set Up Your Mood Board

• Go to Canva.com and start a new design.
• Select “Custom Size” and enter your desktop background dimensions. If you don’t know your screen size, you can find it by right-clicking on your desktop, selecting Display Settings, and looking under Display Resolution.
• Choose a grid or blank layout to arrange your images.

Step 5: Design Your Board

• Upload the selected images from Pinterest into Canva.
• Arrange them in a way that feels balanced and inspiring. You can layer images, add text overlays, or even include a small calendar if that helps you stay organized.
• Play around with Canva’s fonts and color palettes to enhance the overall aesthetic.

Step 6: Download & Set as Desktop Background (For Mac & PC Users)

• Once you’re happy with your design, download it as a PNG or JPG based on your preference.
• For Windows Users: Right-click on your desktop, select Personalize, then choose Background and upload your new mood board as your wallpaper.
• For Mac Users: Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), go to Wallpaper (or Desktop & Screen Saver), then upload your mood board as your background.

Step 7: Refresh It Monthly or Annually 

Mood boards aren’t meant to be static. As your goals shift, refresh your board to keep it aligned with your current mental wellness and clarity needs. You can even create seasonal variations to reflect different phases of your personal growth journey.

Bringing Intention into Your Workday

Mood boards can bring clarity, motivation, and wellness into your work life. Whether you’re using one to set goals, reset your mindset, or just make your workspace feel like a place you actually enjoy, they’re a small but powerful tool for remote work wellness. So go ahead, open up Pinterest, and get crackin’!

And if you want more remote work tips like this, sign up for our newsletter, Making it Brighter. 💚