Manifesting Magic in 2025: Goals, Dreams, Wishes, and Desires

intention setting & returning to simplicity

As the New Year approaches, the collective energy shifts. We’re drawn to the idea of reinvention — shedding the old and stepping into a brighter, more expansive version of ourselves. The ritual of setting resolutions feels familiar. The desire to eat better, manifest more money, and transform some facet of life bubbles to the surface. Yet, how often do these intentions fizzle out by February?

Over the years, I’ve danced with intention-setting in many forms. Since 2009, I’ve engaged in a simple but profoundly effective process I call Goals, Dreams, Wishes, and Desires. It was uncomplicated, and remarkably, over 90% of what I wrote down would manifest. I found myself checking off items like moving to the beach, speaking opportunities, publishing books, and even welcoming a baby girl after heartbreakingly persistent miscarriages.

But something shifted a few years ago. I began "scripting" — assigning rigid dates and writing out desires in a structured way. I lost the flow. I became attached to the 'how' and 'when,' which seemed to strangle the magic out of the process. The spontaneity of divine timing and the delight of unfolding mysteries were replaced by unmet expectations that felt unfulfilling (even when they did manifest).

This week I looked back at my 2024 list and was shocked that not much (only a few things) had manifested. This was mostly due to this year being one of profound healing and choosing myself. What was extra surprising is that many things that I would never have put on my list also eventuated and I believe it was due to the following magical & powerful sentence…