From Burnout to Belief: How I Found My Own Version of Manifestation

Let’s talk about manifestation.

For a long time, anything that fell under the umbrella of spirituality or manifestation just didn’t resonate with me. Growing up in a very strict, faith-based environment, I resisted anything that felt like it was telling me how to live or think. I believed that hard work alone would get me where I wanted to be, and I carried that mindset into every part of my life. Hence, my previous overachieving, always-say-yes-to-opportunities mentality. I thought that would be enough to get me everything I wanted. And don’t get me wrong, it did get me places. But it also burnt me out.

In my early to mid-thirties, I began to explore the idea of manifestation. I’d done deep-dive research into it here and there, but I never really took it seriously… until I did.

My husband started exploring it too, and we began saying out loud the things we wanted, even if they felt silly or out of reach. We made vision boards. We got specific. He really leaned in. To this day, he journals every morning about what he wants and sees for our life and our family. He’s even recorded voice memos of his vision, and hearing little snippets of them makes me tear up sometimes.

Manifestation looks different for everyone. For me, it’s often a quiet practice. I write my wants and desires in a private online journal. I keep long notes in my phone, sometimes they’re detailed, sometimes they’re simple - but they help me feel like I’m moving toward something intentional. Like I’m bringing what I want closer, just by naming it.

But let me be clear.

Here’s what manifestation is—and what it isn’t.

It’s not about bypassing reality or pretending things are perfect.
It’s not about ignoring science, trauma, or grief.
And it’s definitely not about blaming yourself if things don’t go your way.

Manifestation is about tuning in to what you truly want, getting honest about the vision you have for your life, and allowing yourself to believe it is possible - even if you don’t know exactly how or when you’ll make it happen.
It’s about aligning your energy, your mindset, and your actions with that vision.

But, here’s the thing - you still have to do the work.
Writing it down and talking about it doesn’t mean it magically appears.
It’s not a shortcut or a magic trick. It’s a tool. A mindset. A way of showing up with more intention and belief in what’s possible.

It’s about taking aligned action.
It’s about showing up for the version of you who already lives that life, even if it’s just in small ways, every day.

It’s not a quick fix.
But it is powerful.
Especially when it helps you move forward with more clarity, more hope, and more trust in the direction you're going.