Manifesting your reality

As a new year approaches, I always find myself excited. It's not only the excitement of new beginnings, but a deep sense of opportunity – a chance to write a new page, set intentions and reconnect with what really matters to me.

Manifesting is a tool I believe in wholeheartedly. It's not only about asking, praying or dreaming. It's about setting clear intentions, feeling the reality as if it's already here, and acting from full belief that it will happen.

Where does manifesting come from?

The idea of manifesting is rooted in the view that our mind works in a way that links positive thoughts with reality. When we set ourselves a clear vision and believe in it, our mind starts noticing opportunities that move us toward the goal. Just like when you buy a certain model of car and suddenly it seems the whole world drives one – the mind focuses on what matters to us and lets us see situations that can help us achieve what we want. A kind of "thought creates reality". Even Indian philosophy has a version of it, called "sankalpa" – will, intention or aspiration in Sanskrit.

The term "manifesting" became popular thanks to the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, which teaches the "law of attraction" – the idea that focused thoughts create reality. When I was 13, I read the book and fell in love with the idea that you can bring dreams to life. I wanted to adopt a dog, so I hung pictures of dogs on my bedroom walls, talked about it with everyone around me, and imagined it becoming part of our family. After a period of full intention, it happened – we adopted a dog, and my dream became a reality with four legs.

And what does science say?

Research shows that positive thoughts create chemical changes in the brain, increase motivation and encourage us to act. When we set a clear vision and believe in it, we activate the brain's RAS (Reticular Activating System) – a filter that decides which stimuli catch our attention. For example, if our intention is to find a new job, this system helps us notice opportunities around us – chance conversations or job ads – that we wouldn't otherwise notice.

In addition, repeatedly writing down and stating our intentions creates a kind of internalisation – when intentions become part of our consciousness, they influence the decisions we make and how we behave. It's like setting an inner compass that guides us, even unconsciously, toward our goals.

Let's practise

For the new year, I invite you to take a moment with yourself and think about everything you want this year – whether it's health, peace of mind, meaningful relationships, or maybe reaching a goal that once seemed far away.

Before I start, I create a pleasant atmosphere at home – I make sure the space is calm and tidy, make myself a hot drink, light a scented candle, put on relaxing music, and sit down to think and write:

1. Gratitude for the past year – I write at least five things I'm grateful for. Even if it was a challenging year, there are always small moments of light.

Gratitude for the past year

1. Intentions for the coming year – I write precise intentions, as if they've already happened. For example: "I live with joy and abundance," "My body is strong and healthy," or "I'm surrounded by people who love and support me." You can also choose a practical goal: "I pass my exams," "I go on a family trip."

Intentions for the coming year

1. A first action – I choose one small action I can take right now to start moving toward the goal.

A first action

Then I stop for a moment to breathe, imagine my new year as vividly as possible, and let myself feel what it will be like to live everything I've written.

Throughout the year, I come back to these intentions. Sometimes things change, and sometimes the path surprises us – but there's always magic in holding a clear vision and truly believing in it.

You can do this process alone, on a personal level. You can also sit down with a good friend or bring the idea to the family, and set goals together – personal, social, family goals and more. I invite you to connect and let yourself believe in the magic of a new beginning. Think big and let yourself dream. There's nothing more exciting than knowing you create your own reality. I wish you a year full of health, happiness, good news and amazing experiences. May this year bring you everything you dream of – and even more.