Manifestation is such a popular topic these days—you hear about it everywhere! From journaling and vision boards to meditation, there are tons of ways people try to manifest the life they want. But the most important piece of the puzzle? A healthy mindset. The way we think has a huge impact on how we see the world and ourselves. If we’re stuck in a negative, unhealthy mindset, it’s tough to attract that dream job or a happy relationship. That’s why focusing on ourselves and building a positive outlook can open the door to even bigger and better things in life.
Now, manifesting a healthy mindset might sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with small, simple steps to shift your perspective to a more positive one. And guess what? By reading this article, you’ve already taken the first step! If you’re ready to work on creating a healthier, happier mindset, here are some practical ways to get started.
1. Set boundaries
We all know that one person who leaves us feeling drained every time we’re around them. Yet, for some reason, we keep saying yes to plans with them. Maybe it’s because we feel guilty about saying no, or we’re not sure how to turn them down. Sometimes it’s even trickier—what if it’s your boss or a family member, and you feel like you don’t have a choice?
Whoever it is, it’s time to set some boundaries. Remember, the longest and most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. You deserve to recognize when someone isn’t making you feel good and take steps to change that.
Setting boundaries doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be as simple as saying no to plans: “I’m super busy right now and need some downtime—thanks for understanding!” If it’s your boss, though, it might require a more direct conversation, like: “I’m happy to take your calls during work hours, but after that, I’ll need to address it the next day.” Boundaries aren’t one-size-fits-all—they’ll look different depending on the situation. The key is to figure out which relationships need them and then take action to put those boundaries in place.
2. Practice Affirmations
I’m all about affirmations. I love reading them in books, stumbling across them on TikTok, and writing down the ones that really speak to me (highly recommend doing that, by the way). Affirmations are great for meditation, but you can also say them out loud to yourself every day.
They’re a simple way to clearly express what you want to manifest—kind of like setting your intentions with the universe and reminding yourself of them, too. The more you repeat an affirmation, the more your brain starts to believe it. Bonus points if you say it while looking in the mirror!
The easiest ones to start with are “I Am” affirmations, like “I am enough,” “I am capable,” “I am strong,” or “I am loved.” If you want to get a little more creative, you can try detailed affirmations. Some of my favorites are “Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line” and “I surrender to the flow.”
3. Reframe the Narrative
How often do we catch ourselves stuck in a spiral of negative thoughts? Maybe it’s something small, like forgetting to grocery shop on Sunday. Suddenly, you’re thinking, “Now I have nothing for lunch tomorrow, I’ll have to spend money on takeout, and it won’t even be healthy.” One little thing snowballs into a whole story about being unhealthy, broke, and unproductive—not exactly the mindset we want.
But here’s the thing: when things don’t go as planned, we have two choices. We can either spiral into those anxious thoughts, or we can take a step back and reframe the situation. Instead of beating yourself up, you could say, “Okay, I forgot to go shopping, but I’ll just swing by the store tomorrow after work. And tomorrow’s takeout? I’ll try that new healthy spot and treat myself before getting back to saving for the rest of the week.” This version tells yourself that you’re resourceful, you care about your well-being, and hey, forgetting the groceries isn’t the end of the world.
Reframing takes practice—it’s not always easy at first. But the more you do it, the more natural it becomes, and the healthier your mindset will grow.
4. Spend Time Alone
Manifestation is all about using your thoughts and emotions to shape the reality you want. But before you can do that, you need to figure out what you truly want—and that means spending some quality time with yourself.
This could be as simple as going for a walk without your phone, meditating, journaling, or even treating yourself to a solo date. These little moments of alone time can help you feel more comfortable being by yourself and might bring up thoughts or emotions you don’t usually notice in your busy day-to-day life.
Having a healthy mindset starts with knowing who you are and what you want out of life. When you’re clear about that, you’re less likely to be influenced by what others are doing because you’re confident in your own journey. Taking time to be alone and reflect on your intentions is a powerful habit to build into your routine—it helps you stay grounded and focused on your goals.
5. Adopt an Abundance Mindset
Fear is often at the heart of a scarcity mindset, so shifting to an abundance mindset starts with understanding and facing those fears. Some of the most common fears I hear women talk about are the fear of not finding a loving relationship, worries about money, or doubts about succeeding in their career. We all face different fears at some point, but here’s the good news: it’s completely possible to change how you think and move toward abundance.
One great way to start is with gratitude journaling. For example, if you’re worried about finding a loving relationship, take a moment to write down all the positive and loving relationships you already have in your life—friends, family, even coworkers. It’s a powerful way to shift your perspective. Then, write down the kind of loving relationship you want to manifest, and don’t hold back—get as detailed as possible!
Building a habit of being thankful for what you already have makes it so much easier to stay open to whatever love, money, or career opportunities come your way. The more you focus on the abundance around you, the more room you’ll create for even greater things to flow into your life.
6. Pay Attention to Your Choice of Words
The words you say don’t just float into the universe—your mind and body are listening, too. When you tell yourself things like, “I’m not smart” or “I’m not attractive,” your body feels it. It shows up in how you talk to others or even how you carry yourself walking down the street.
On the flip side, if you say, “I look amazing today, and I’m going to have a great day,” your mind and body respond with confidence.
Words are incredibly powerful. Studies show that positive self-talk can make a big difference in how we think and feel. So, take a moment to rethink how you talk to yourself every day—it can really change things.
A great trick is to see yourself the way your best friend does. Your best friend would only ever tell you how smart, beautiful, and capable you are, right? Start talking to yourself the same way and watch how it transforms your mindset.
Also Read: How do I Overcome Negative Self-Talk?
7. Stop Comparing
Whether it’s influencers on Instagram or your friend who seems to have it all together, comparing yourself to others will only leave you feeling empty and lost. You are your own person, with a unique journey that’s just for you. We all go through highs and lows at different times, and trying to live someone else’s version of happiness will never bring you your own.
The best way to stop comparing yourself is to turn inward. Take a moment to think about what you admire in other people’s lives and write it down. Then, go through that list and see what truly resonates with you. Some things on the list might not actually be what you want.
Once you’ve narrowed it down, figure out what small steps you can take right now to bring those things into your own life. Don’t keep comparing yourself to others—what worked for them might not work for you. Focus on what you know will truly make you happy, and start taking action toward it. This will move you away from comparison and help you build a more authentic version of yourself.