A Beginner’s Guide to Manifestation 

Manifesting is all the rage, and with the new year right around the corner, there’s no better time to try out the practice. 

“You’re willing, and you’re ready in the new year to see things differently,” said Gabby Bernstein, New York Times bestselling author, speaker and manifestation expert. 

Over the past several years, manifestation has grown in popularity, particularly with figures like Bernstein and Sunday Times bestselling author and speaker Roxie Nafousi gaining prominent followings.

Influencers and figures in the space all have their own variations on what exactly manifestation is, but it all leans on the law of attraction: manifesting is all about attracting and believing in a certain outcome in order to achieve it.

“We manifest what we believe, so the thoughts and the feelings that we repeat internally and externally have a lot of energy behind them, and that energy sends a message to other humans [and] the universe,” Bernstein said. “It’s a vibration, and it’s reflected back to us. What you put out, you get back.” 

Nafousi added: “Your mindset and the power of your mind has the ability to change the reality you experience.” 

With this in mind, manifesting can look different for everyone — it can be reciting daily affirmations, writing “I am” statements or visualizing via annual vision boards.

At the start, manifesting can seem daunting, particularly with journals, daily affirmations, meditations and more as ways to tap in. However, experts in the space agree, the practice starts with inner healing. 

“The real secret to manifesting is definitely a mental reconditioning,” Bernstein said. 

Similarly, Nafousi’s second step in her manifestation guidebook “Manifest” is to “remove fear and doubt,” as negative self-talk is often the number-one deterrent in achieving goals. 

Bernstein’s latest book “Self Help: This Is Your Chance to Change Your Life,” out Tuesday, focuses on this healing more in depth, providing four easy steps to undo the negative self talk that ultimately blocks manifesting goals. 

Speaking out loud or physically journaling are often a key part of manifesting. 

For Kin Euphorics founder and manifestor Jen Batchelor, reciting a mantra around a specific goal can be a helpful place to start.

For self connection specialist and founder of Your Inner Babe Jacq Gould, who also offers coaching, retreats and workshops around these themes, the concept of future authoring is a great place to start. 

“You envision the future, and you call in and write to that. You imagine the day and you write as if it’s already happening,” she said. “It has to be written on paper, in my opinion, as if it’s already existing in the present moment.”

The Mayfair Group founder Sam Abrahart, also a dedicated manifestor, agrees and emphasizes specific details are crucial. 

“Write details in present ‘I am’ tenses,” she said. 

A manifesting practice doesn’t have to be long. Bernstein says to just commit at least one minute a day. 

“Seventeen seconds is the sacred number that neuroscientists have found, while studying this topic that has actually helped people to repeat ideas and repeat goals in their mind to be able to achieve that,” said Batchelor.

Manifesting goes beyond the daily affirmations, visualizations and journaling practices.

“You have to already allow yourself to embody that version,” said Gould, emphasizing the importance of aligning daily actions with the end goal.

Industry veterans like Batchelor, Act+Acre founder Helen Reavey, Good American cofounder and CEO Emma Grede and The Mayfair Group’s Abrahart attribute some of their business success to the practice.

“The biggest advice I have for founders is to think of the biggest world that you want to create and scale backwards,” Abrahart said. 

Reavey, in particular, partially attributes Act+Acre’s launch into Sephora to her practice, while Abrahart swears her rituals led to The Mayfair Group’s current status and its work with Bella Hadid in particular.

It was a goal of the brand’s since Day One, according to Abrahart, who was manifesting that it would ultimately happen. Within six months of being in business, Hadid was wearing the brand’s sweats and within two years they did a collaboration with Kin Euphorics, which Hadid cofounded. Additionally on Abrahart’s manifestation list was hiring a CEO in 2024, which the brand successfully did in February.

With a bit of proof that the practice works, here are some starter products to try it out.

Logan Hollowell 11:11 Manifestation Candle, $70

This candle can accompany a manifestation practice and features the angel numbers 11:11, which typically represents the start of something new. 

Conscious Ink New Intentions Manifestation Kit, $60

These temporary tattoos act as a constant reminder of the wearer’s manifestation goals. 

Sage & Sound Manifestation, $45

For the manifestation newbie who needs a bit of guidance, New York City-based Sage & Sound offers a 60-minute in-person class with guided meditations, visualization exercises and journaling prompts. 

Wilde House Paper Manifestation Pad, $26

This easy-to-follow notepad allows users to track gratitude, goals and affirmations on a weekly basis. 

The Mayfair Group Playing With Fate Set, $206

For the fashion-forward manifestor looking for a wearable reminder of their goals, The Mayfair Group’s new set features 888 angel numbers, meaning abundance , and nods to the powers of the universe. 

Gabby The 21-day Manifesting Challenge, $37 

Gabby Bernstein’s app Gabby hosts an annual Manifesting Challenge, which includes daily meditations, lessons and affirmations, taking between 10 and 15 minutes. According to Bernstein, tens of thousands do the challenge annually.

Manifest by Roxie Nafousi, $14

For the beginner, Nafousi’s book provides a guide to manifestation, outlining seven specific steps for the practice. 

Your Inner Babe The Re/Connection Deck, $25

These cards are a daily practice that allows the user to connect with themselves based on the universe’s messages. For a deeper practice, it can be paired with the Your Inner Babe Connection Journal, $39.