self-care – The Manifest Study

An Almost End-of-Year Reset

I used to think resets had to be dramatic.

New planners. New routines. Big declarations about who I was going to become next.

But as the years have passed — and life has gotten fuller, louder, and more layered — I’ve learned that the most meaningful resets are often the quiet ones.

This isn’t a post about reinventing yourself before January 1st.
It’s about pausing, noticing, and gently clearing space before what comes next.

An almost end-of-year reset.

This Isn’t a Glow-Up

If you’re tired, you don’t need a glow-up.
If you’re overwhelmed, you don’t need a ten-step plan.
And if this year stretched you in ways you didn’t expect, you don’t need to “fix” that.

You’re allowed to end the year as you are.

For me, manifestation has never been about forcing change. It’s been about awareness — noticing patterns, energy, habits, and thoughts. Paying attention to what feels aligned and what feels heavy, and letting that awareness guide the next small step.

That’s what this reset is about.

Clearing Space (Without Pressure)

Clearing space doesn’t have to mean doing more. Often, it means doing less.

Less noise.
Less comparison.
Less carrying things that no longer fit the season you’re in.

This might look like:

Letting go of expectations you picked up along the way
Unsubscribing from voices that make you feel behind
Allowing rest to be part of your practice

Manifestation isn’t always about calling things in. Sometimes it’s about making room.

Intention Over Resolution

I don’t set rigid New Year’s resolutions anymore. Instead, I return to intention.

An intention is softer. It leaves room for real life — for kids, work, mess, joy, exhaustion, and change.

As I look ahead, I’m asking myself:

How do I want to feel moving forward?
What kind of energy do I want to bring into my days?
What would it look like to trust myself a little more?

You don’t need a perfect answer. You just need an honest one.

Ending the Year Where You Are

If you’re closing this year feeling grateful, that matters.
If you’re closing it feeling tired, that matters too.
If you’re somewhere in between, that matters just as much.

This is your permission slip to end the year gently. To reflect without pressure. To reset without erasing yourself.

You don’t need a whole new life.
You’re allowed to build on the one you already have.

Journal Prompts for an Almost End-of-Year Reset

You don’t need to answer all of these. Sit with the ones that feel gentle, not demanding.

Looking Back (Without Judgment)

What moments from this year still feel warm when I think about them?
What did I carry this year that I no longer want to bring with me?
Where did I show resilience that I might be overlooking?
What surprised me about myself this year?

Taking Inventory

What consistently gave me energy?
What quietly drained me, even if I told myself it was “fine”?
What patterns did I notice in my thoughts, habits, or reactions?
Where did I push when rest would have served me better?

Releasing with Care

What expectations am I ready to release?
What does letting go look like for me right now — practically, not perfectly?
What would feel lighter if I stopped trying to control it?

Looking Ahead (Softly)

How do I want to feel moving forward?
What kind of energy do I want to bring into my days?
What would it look like to trust myself a little more?
What am I open to receiving, without forcing the how?

Closing Gently

What does a gentle reset look like for me?
What do I want to remember as this year ends?
What am I allowed to take slowly?

There’s no rush. You’re allowed to meet yourself where you are — and begin again from there.

Day 13: Progress, Not Perfection

Okay… so I didn’t blog last night. 😬 Life got in the way, and by the time the day slowed down, I didn’t have the energy to sit and write. And you know what? That’s okay. This journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency over time, and choosing to keep going even when the day doesn’t go as planned.

I may not have written a full blog post yesterday, but I was still thinking about my dreams. I still practiced gratitude in the quiet moments. I still visualized the life I’m creating. I still chose to believe that good things are unfolding, even when I’m tired, even when I skip a day, even when the energy dips.

So here I am today—Day 13. I’m showing up. I’m realigning. I’m continuing.

Because this practice isn’t just about what I write on the page—it’s about the energy I carry throughout my day, the way I choose to reframe my thoughts, the way I return to gratitude and certainty, even when I veer off course.

💫 Progress, not perfection. That’s the mantra I’m holding onto today.

Gratitude Practice

Today I am grateful for:

☕️ A fresh start
📚 Books that inspire me
🌿 The quiet moments between the chaos
🎶 Music that lifts my spirit
🧘‍♀️ The power of pausing and breathing
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 My family—even when it’s loud and wild
🍽 A warm, comforting meal
💡 Unexpected moments of clarity
✍️ The ability to express myself through writing
🕯 A soft place to land at the end of the day

Manifestation Practice

✨ I am so happy and grateful now that I stay consistent and grounded, even when life gets busy.
✨ I am so happy and grateful now that my dream life continues to unfold, even on the days when I don’t feel 100%.
✨ I am so happy and grateful now that my writing is thriving, and I’m reaching people in a meaningful way.
✨ I am so happy and grateful now that I trust the process—I know the Universe is working behind the scenes.
✨ I am so happy and grateful now that every step forward, no matter how small, brings me closer to the life I’ve envisioned.

Even though I missed a day, I’m reminding myself that this journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. I showed up today, and that’s enough. I’m learning to honor my energy, hold compassion for myself, and keep moving forward, one aligned step at a time. ✨

Here’s to continuing the journey—messy, magical, and full of light. 💫

Day 11: Rewriting the Hard Days with Gratitude and Grace

Ugh. I’m in a mood tonight.

And let’s be real—that’s probably not a great sign considering this is the second time in 11 days that I’ve started a post with that exact word.

Anyway, the day started off strong. I woke up grateful, thankful, and genuinely happy. I carried those good vibes with me through the first half of the day… until my darling kindergartners managed to chip away at my light like tiny, adorable jackhammers.

I love them. Truly, I do. But man, sometimes they drain me to the point of near depletion.

Midday, I tried to ground myself with some mantras I’ve been leaning into:

✨ I am the calm in the chaos.
✨ I lead with light.
✨ I stay grounded, even when energy runs high.
✨ My joy is protected.
✨ I am a powerful creator—even here, even now.

And honestly? I’m still clinging to those words.

By the time I got home, I had eaten well all day—so proud of my healthy choices. Then, the dinner hour hit. And next thing I knew, I was scarfing down the crust of my daughter’s grilled cheese and polishing off my other daughter’s leftover enchilada like it wouldn’t count if I ate it quickly between bites of my low-carb, peri-menopause-fighting stir-fry.

Ugh. (Again.)

Here’s the thing—I’ve been petite my whole life. My body would fluctuate five pounds over a weekend and I’d bounce right back by Tuesday. But lately? I’ve gained five pounds in three weeks despite walking three miles a day and eating like someone training for a half marathon in reverse.

I feel discouraged. My clothes are tight. My belly feels unfamiliar. I don’t recognize myself in the mirror some days. Is this just what happens now?

But despite the downward spiral I feel tugging at me, I made a promise to myself: 365 days of gratitude and manifestation. So tonight, I’m showing up. Even when I feel off. Especially when I feel off.

✨ Gratitude Practice:

My family. My job. Our home. My parents. My in-laws. Our neighborhood. My dog. My childhood. Books. Laughing. Restaurants. Curbside pickup. The outdoors. My health. The health of my loved ones. The kids I teach. Electricity. Internet. Running water. Memories. A sound mind. Writing. Reading. Freedom. Mexican food. Wine. Flip-flops. Beautiful beaches. The perfect sunset. The perfect pair of jeans. Friday afternoons. Saturday mornings. Movies. Cozy blankets. Fireplaces. Swimming pools. My college education.

🌟 Manifestation Practice:

I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream lakefront home—expansive, beautifully designed, and filled with love and laughter. There’s space for everything and everyone: a game room, pool, movie room, bar, and a serene outdoor living area that feels like a retreat.

Each of our five children has their own room and private bath, and we have gorgeous guest suites and dual home offices. Our dream cars sit in the garage. We have the support of a maid, chef, personal trainer, assistant—you name it—and it allows us to enjoy every moment.

I’m a best-selling author, writing full time and making an incredible living doing what I love. My husband is thriving in his dream career. Our children are kind, grounded, joyful, and thriving.

We travel the world—this year alone we’ve explored St. John, the BVI, Costa Rica, Italy, Canada, and South America. We fly first class or private and stay in the most luxurious accommodations—but remain grateful, generous, and centered.

I am so happy and grateful now that we have millions in the bank. We can do, be, have, and give anything we want. We live in joy. We create joyfully. We are living our dream life now.

You know what? Just writing this out lifted my vibe.

I’ve read before that one of the most powerful things you can do is mentally replay your day each night—and reimagine any tough moments through a more positive lens. I’m going to try that tonight. Nothing catastrophic happened today, but I am disappointed in the way I let small frustrations unravel me.

Tomorrow is a new day. A fresh opportunity to show up as a slightly better version of myself.

And that’s the journey. One tiny step forward, every single day.

💫 Want more daily gratitude, manifestation inspiration, and real-life reflections?
Come hang out with me on Facebook! I’d love to connect, share, and grow with you.
👉 Follow along here 💕

Day 10: From Pedicures to Private Yachts—Dreaming It Into Being

I woke up this morning with a full and grateful heart.
There’s something magical about starting the day with “thank you.”

“Thank you for another beautiful day in this body.
Thank you for my warm shower.
Thank you for my cozy robe.
Thank you for indoor plumbing.
Thank you for hot coffee.
Thank you for my dog.
Thank you for my makeup…”

I spent nearly 45 minutes this morning just saying thank you—to the Universe, to the Creator—for every single blessing in my life. Big and small. That simple practice set such a powerful, positive tone for my day.

It was 6 A.M., and my vibe was high. And that energy carried with me—into the classroom, into my interactions, into every moment.

This afternoon, I treated myself to a long-overdue pedicure. While there was drama on the TV at the salon, I tuned it out and turned inward. I focused on visualizing my future—the one that is already aligning with me now.

I relished the pampering, knowing it’s becoming part of my regular weekly rhythm. I imagined my days ahead… waking up early to take the kids to school, cooking a healthy breakfast, and enjoying long, peaceful walks through the neighborhood. I pictured coming home, getting ready slowly, and spending a few inspiring hours writing in my dream home office.

I saw myself behind the wheel of my white Escalade. I thanked the Universe for our prosperity, for the flow of abundance and ease. I imagined hosting friends on a private yacht around the BVI, then hopping on a jet to Jumby Bay after our next windfall. I felt joy. I felt alignment. I felt deeply connected to the Light.

And now, here I am—sitting on my back patio after cooking a healthy, homemade dinner, feeling the soft breeze on my skin. I feel grounded. I feel at peace. I feel excited for what’s ahead and fully certain that it’s already on its way to me.

Today’s gratitude and visualization practice flowed so naturally—it reminded me how powerful it is to simply live in the energy of what I want. I didn’t need a journal or a structured checklist; I just needed to be present, to notice, to feel. From my quiet morning thank-yous to the peaceful pedicure daydream, to this breezy evening moment on the patio—it all added up to one simple truth: I’m already aligned with the life I’m calling in. And it’s on its way to me now.

💫 Let’s Stay Connected!
If you’re enjoying these posts and want more daily inspiration, manifesting tips, and behind-the-scenes moments, come follow along on Facebook! I’d love to have you join the journey. 💕

#Gratitude #Manifestation #DreamLifeInProgress

Day 6: Spit Happens—But So Does Gratitude

Pause. What a Pleasure. Thank You.

This simple little phrase turned my entire day around.

I was on cafeteria duty during lunch today—which, as a kindergarten teacher, basically means crowd control, package-opening services, and fruit-peeling on demand. It’s chaotic, loud, and overstimulating… especially for those not fluent in tuning out noise. Luckily, with five kids of my own and over a decade of classroom experience, I’ve earned my noise-canceling badge of honor.

When Chaos Strikes

In the middle of the usual cafeteria madness, one of my students—who had already been pushing boundaries all day—spit in another student’s face.

Yep. That happened.

When I confronted him, he escalated instantly… and so did my blood pressure. But here’s the thing—I’ve been listening to a podcast that shares grounding practices, and in that moment, one phrase came to mind. I reached for it like a life raft.

Pause. What a pleasure. Thank you.

I whispered it to myself.

And then I repeated it.

Thank you for this job.
Thank you for these amazing children I get to work with each day.
Thank you for the opportunity to positively influence this little boy—even on his worst day.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Power of a Simple Shift

That one moment pulled me back into gratitude. Instead of spiraling into “Ugh, I’m so done with this. I hate my job. This kid is on my last nerve,” I felt… thankful.

I felt thankful for the kid who needed me most in that moment.
Thankful for the tiny raised hands asking for help.
Thankful for my former students—now big, confident first graders—who ran over to give me hugs as they walked in for lunch.

Gratitude for the noise.
Gratitude for the chaos.
Gratitude for the joy.

Because that’s what it’s really about, right? Feeling good in the now. And feeling good in the now is what’s going to fast-track all my manifestations to me.

Ten More Things I’m Grateful For Today

Sometimes I like to take my gratitude a step further. So here are ten more things I’m appreciating today:

1. My Community

I live in the same neighborhood where I teach, and today was Career Day. So many parents and community members came out—even in the drizzle—to share their time and talents with our kids.

2. It’s Friday

Need I say more?

3. Date Night

My husband and I have started going out on Friday nights while our oldest son “babysits” the others. We hit a nearby restaurant, grab a drink, and actually finish full sentences. It’s amazing.

4. Coffee

Two cups a day. Non-negotiable. I love it deeply.

5. Good T.V.

This week I binged A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read and OMG… I COULD. NOT. STOP. Watching.

6. My Admin Team

Supportive, positive, and truly invested in our school. Good leadership makes all the difference.

7. My Next-Door Neighbor

Also my lifelong BFF. She orders family meals from a local business and always shares her leftovers with me. It’s basically magic.

8. Pizza Fridays at School

Pizza means I don’t have to pack lunch for most of my kids. Automatic win.

9. The Ocean

It’s my happy place. Even just picturing it puts me in a better mood.

10. DoorDash

Overslept today, forgot to pack lunch—blessed be the DoorDash gods. I ordered a veggie burger from P. Terry’s (I’ve been a vegetarian for years) and it hit the spot.

Manifestation Time ✨

Gratitude raises my vibration—and once I’m there, I love to play in the energy of my dream life. So here’s what I’m calling in:

I am so happy and grateful now that I am a full-time writer. I create books, blog posts, and content I love. I’ve written bestsellers, I’m on the NYT list, and one of my YA novels is being adapted for Netflix!
I am so happy and grateful now that my husband has his dream career. He’s challenged, fulfilled, and makes a tremendous income doing what he loves.
I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream home on the lake. We boat almost daily, the kids ski and wakeboard, and our weekends are filled with sunshine, laughter, and lakeside snacks.
I am so happy and grateful now that we have season tickets to UT football. We sit in a suite and host friends and family for nearly every home game.
I am so happy and grateful now that we travel monthly. Whether it’s a quick getaway or a long summer vacation, we love exploring new places and sharing those experiences with the people we love most.

Pause. What a pleasure. Thank you.

If today felt a little chaotic or heavy for you, I hope this post reminds you that gratitude is always just a pause away.

lake austin house — My future house on the lake.

#Gratitude #Manifestation #DreamLifeInProgress

365 Days to Abundance: Day 1 of My Manifestation Practice

Here we go. Day 1. Let the journey begin.

In all the books I’ve read about the law of attraction and manifesting desires, there’s one common thread: the power of gratitude. The more you appreciate what you have, the more the universe delivers things to be grateful for.

So, this morning—and every morning moving forward—I’m taking time to reflect on ten things I’m truly grateful for. Why ten? Because honestly, I could go on and on about the blessings in my life. Throughout my day, I find myself saying thank you for the smallest and biggest things. But starting with ten helps me center my focus and sets the tone for everything else that follows.

Here is my gratitude list for today:

Thank you for my family. I am so lucky to have them in my life.
Thank you for my home. It keeps my family safe, warm, and comfortable.
Thank you for my job. I love the people I work with and the opportunity to positively influence children’s lives.
Thank you for my car. It fits my entire family and allows us to safely get where we need to go.
Thank you for my extended family. I’m grateful to have a support system that loves me and my family unconditionally.
Thank you for this beautiful day. The sky is blue, the sun is warm, and I love sitting outside and soaking in the fresh air.
Thank you for our health. My family and I are so fortunate to live without limitations in this season of life.
Thank you for spring break. I’m so lucky to have a career that allows me to enjoy time off and make memories with my family.
Thank you for the healthy, fresh food we have access to every day. It nourishes us and gives us energy.
Thank you for my newfound knowledge of Kabbalah. It’s been a grounding force and has renewed my spiritual energy in such a meaningful way.

I plan to reread my list several times today and truly sit with the feelings of gratitude that come from reflecting on all that I’m thankful for.

With my gratitude practice complete, I’m now setting clear intentions for what I want to call into my life. I’ll write as if these dreams are already my reality, feeling the emotions they bring.

✨ I am so happy and grateful now that I am a full-time writer working from home. Each morning, I start my day with a warm cup of coffee in my favorite cozy spot, sunlight streaming through the windows as I write with ease and inspiration. I love the flexibility of my career—it allows me to set my own schedule and be fully present for my family. The financial freedom it provides has given us the ability to travel, create beautiful memories, and live comfortably. I feel so proud of the recognition and respect I’ve earned by doing what I love, and it fills me with joy to know my words inspire and connect with others around the world.

✨ I am so happy and grateful now that we live in our dream home. Our house is spacious and welcoming, with enough room for each of our children to have their own space to relax and grow. We have a bright game room filled with laughter, a cozy movie room where we snuggle up for family nights, a workout room that keeps us energized, and private offices where my husband and I feel focused and inspired. Outside, our beautiful pool sparkles in the sun, and the outdoor living space is perfect for hosting friends and family. The sprawling green lawn is where the kids play freely, their laughter filling the air. We love entertaining here—there’s always so much to do, and our home feels warm, immaculate, and inviting for every guest who visits.

✨✨ I am so happy and grateful now that my family is able to travel the world together. Our options for transportation, destinations, and experiences are limitless. I am always filled with excitement and anticipation for our next adventure. Sometimes it’s just my husband and me, reconnecting on a romantic getaway; other times, we travel with the kids, extended family, or close friends, creating lifelong memories together. Our children embrace each new culture with curiosity and gratitude, growing into compassionate, open-minded citizens of the world. Every journey brings us closer as a family, and I love the joy and wonder we share exploring this beautiful planet.

The last part of my daily manifestation practice is to choose one scene to meditate on. Today I am going to imagine my family and I enjoying a day at a resort in Virgin Gorda called Oil Nut Bay. I have found pictures online of the exact villa we will stay in. As I imagine, I am going to use my five senses to bring the scene to life. Here are a few pictures that I will use for inspiration.

I’m wrapping up today with 30 to 60 minutes of reading from this book. I’ll let you know what insights come up tomorrow! That’s it for Day 1—cheers to 364 more days of manifesting greatness ahead!

#Gratitude #Manifestation #DreamLifeInProgress