Creating a Life That Feels Like Mine: My Journey with Manifestation
All my life, I’ve heard things like, “You’re so lucky,” “I wish I could have that,” or “How did you get that?” People would follow up with comments like, “If I had a supportive family, I could do that,” “If I had money, I could have that,” and the list goes on.
I want to tell you this is wrong. Yes, even as a person with a disability, this is wrong.
Now, I know firsthand that as a person with a disability, there is an unspoken narrative that because we are disabled, we are to ask for less, expect less, settle for less. I am completely dependent on someone else to fully assist me with going to the bathroom, getting dressed, cooking, going places and doing almost anything I want; but I still want what I want and to live life on my own terms. Later on, I will talk in depth about removing limiting beliefs; this is, and continues to be, the biggest factor that shapes my manifestation journey.
Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do. So, why not practice creating your life?
Now, before you think to yourself ‘Oh boy, another hippy-dippy, tree-hugging, granola-eating person blabbing on about manifestation’ just think about this: Spiritualists call it manifestation. Christians call it prayer. Witches call it spells. Atheists call it the placebo effect. Scientists call it quantum physics.
I’m here to tell you, it does exist. And chances are, deep down within you, you already know this to be true. Each and every one of us holds the power to create what we want. I’m also here to tell you, it is not easy. It is not a matter of saying some words up to the sky and waiting for it to magically materialize.
Creating what you want takes dedication, commitment and some deep, internal work. I have created my own desired outcomes with school, where I live, my wheelchair, my job, and finding love.
Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Set a Clear Intention
What do you want to manifest?
Be specific. The more detailed your intention, the easier it will be for your mind to focus on it.
Write it down. When you write it, you externalize the thought, which helps solidify it.
What I Wanted - Love: "I want to find love where I feel true acceptance of who I am, laugh often and feel joy.”
Step 2: Visualize Your Desire
Create a vivid mental image of what you want.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself already living the life you're seeking. Picture the details—how it feels, smells, looks, and sounds.
Engage all your senses. The more real you make it, the stronger the vibration you're sending out.
What I Visualized: I imagined myself sitting with a person; laughing and talking for hours, the sunlight shining, coffee cups sat in between us, my hand in his.
Step 3: Feel the Emotion
Emotions amplify manifestation.
As you visualize, tap into the feelings you would have if your desire had already come true.
Feel the gratitude, joy, excitement, and peace. The more genuine emotion you infuse into the process, the more powerful it becomes.
What I Felt – Love, acceptance, joy: In my visualization, I felt radiant love from that person and for that person, complete acceptance and joy in the form of laughter.
Step 4: Believe It’s Already Yours
Trust that what you want is already on its way.
Remove doubt and cultivate unwavering belief. Think of manifestation as a "knowing." It's not about asking for something, it's about claiming it.
Affirmations are powerful for this: Repeat statements like "I deserve this," "I am worthy," and "It’s already mine."
My Affirmation: “I am worthy and deserving of love.”
Step 5: Take Inspired Action
Manifestation is not just about thinking—it’s about doing.
Take steps that align with your goals, even small ones. The universe works with those who take action toward their desires.
Listen to your intuition. If you get a gut feeling to make a call, apply for a position, or try something new, do it.
What I did: Set up dating profiles, socialized with friends, dated and practiced self-love.
Step 6: Practice Gratitude
Gratitude amplifies the manifestation process.
Be thankful for everything you already have and for what is on its way to you. Gratitude shifts your energy into a higher vibration, attracting more of what you want.
My Gratitude Statement: “Thank you for this opportunity to manifest love, and thank you for the experiences that are leading me to my person.”
Step 7: Trust the Timing
Let go of control and trust the process.
Don’t obsess over how or when it will happen. The universe has its own perfect timing.
Be patient and keep your focus on your desire, without stressing about the "when."
My Process: Whenever I felt impatient or disheartened, I reminded myself that everything has its own timing and that the Higher Power has it all planned out for me. The process is a lot easier if you’re able to surrender to a belief in something bigger than yourself.
Step 8: Be Open to Receive, while Listening to Your Inner Being
Be ready to receive the manifestation, as long as it feels right.
Let go of preconceived notions about how your desire should come to you. The universe may bring it in unexpected ways.
Stay open to all opportunities and possibilities.
My Cautionary Advice: Along the way, check in with yourself. Make sure that this manifestation checks the boxes and does not ask you to betray, abandon or drastically modify your values and goals. If it does, it is not meant for you.
Step 9: Repeat and Stay Consistent
Manifestation is a process that requires consistency and repetition.
Keep practicing the visualization, affirmations, and gratitude daily.
My Not So Popular Belief: As difficult as it may be, stay the course! The practice of not accepting every single opportunity will only fine-tune your true desire. The clearer your focus is on your goal, the easier it becomes your reality.
Now, as I said before, these steps are not easy and they are not the fast-track to everything you desire. There’s no magic wand to wave. It can be a long, arduous journey to get there. The biggest catch—yup, there’s a catch—for me, was and still is, removing limiting beliefs:
Identify and challenge negative beliefs that contradict your desires. If you believe you’re not worthy of love, that dream job, the house or that your goals are too big, those beliefs may block the manifestation process.
Replace them with empowering thoughts: “I am worthy of everything I desire,” or “My dreams are possible.”
It takes hard work to deconstruct old beliefs that were formed by childhood experiences, negative relationships etc., but once you unlearn and let go of all that no longer serves you, magic happens. For me, I had to reject this pre-conceived, hard-wired fallacy of my disability equating to having so little worth and value that I somehow did not deserve or am entitled to the same basic needs all humans share.
The belief in self is everything. But seeing is believing and how do we believe in something we cannot see yet? By looking for supporting evidence and letting that become the building blocks to the solid foundation needed. Ever notice that when you search for something on the Internet, your social media bombards you with everything related to that one thing? This is the social media algorithms. Algorithms analyze user behavior, interactions and interests to understand their content preferences and deliver personalized content. Your brain does the same thing. Let’s say you decide that you’d really love to adopt a dog. Pretty soon, you’ll be seeing cute puppies!
Let’s look at this from the flip side: when life's algorithm sends you for a down spiral. I went on quite a few dates that either never showed up or only interested in me for sex. Now I could have taken this as evidence of not being worth even meeting or only being good enough for sex. After awhile, I could have easily convinced myself that my dating experience spoke directly to my value and that these are the only possible outcomes to dating, so why bother? Be careful because emotions are a huge contributing factor to manifestation. Control the algorithm. Choose your thoughts, people, places and actions carefully. Shift when needed.
You know what else helps manifestation? Jealousy. Yes, I do not subscribe to the idea that jealousy is inherently bad! It's okay to want what others have. Jealousy serves us as road signs that points us in the direction of what is important to us. In my twenties, particularly, I found myself gravitating toward people who also faced challenges with disabilities but had success in areas of life that I desired; career, marriage, house ownership, etc. I used this as steady inspiration and motivation to keep going.
Remember, whatever you believe of yourself will be true; good or bad. I truly believe that because I knew that I was smart, hardworking, loving and deserving of love, I accomplished the goals I pursued—a BA in English, graduated from Applied Counseling Certificate Program, a great career in the social services field, and met and married a man that truly loves and accepts me.
Manifestation is the alignment of mindset, belief, emotion, and action. The more you practice these steps and fine tune your desires, the stronger your manifestation abilities will become. The key is to keep a positive and open mind, be grateful, trust in the process, shed limiting beliefs, believe in your desires, and take action toward them.
With that, get out there and create the life you want! The life you want depends on it.
About the Author
Bonnie lives in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her husband and their pets. Born with Larsen’s Syndrome and living with inoperable scoliosis, she became paralyzed at age 12. She is a content creator and the founder/therapist of Connect_2_Heal counselling services. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, reading, and making the most of Manitoba’s short summers with her family and pets.