A word after a word after a word is power. –Margaret Atwood.
There is a power in writing. It forces you to slow down, reflect, and connect with yourself. This is why I was intrigued by the idea of using a manifestation journal.
It could be so because your thoughts have to slow down to match the pace of your pen (or keyboard).
I have been logging my thoughts and feelings into diaries for a long time.
It’s inconsistent, but treating my diary as my low-budget therapist is good enough.
So, when I heard about manifestation journals, they naturally caught my eye because they screamed writing and the idea of making things come true. (err, this is the part that stopped me in my tracks)
Like most of us, I initially shrugged it off. If that were true, I’d be penning my way to the bank, cashing my 2-million-dollar cheque.
I misunderstood it as some magical process in which you bring your desires into reality by thinking and feeling about them.
It sounded… intriguing, like ‘Dear diary! This is what I want. Please wave your wand and fulfill my wish.’
Despite the skepticism, I gave the manifestation journal a try.
Maybe it was because midlife was creeping up on me…
My confusion was paramount, and I felt that deep urge to spring clean and redecorate my life.
I wasn’t looking for a radical transformation or reinventing myself, but I needed something to shift my mind into second gear of life.
There may be fewer ‘what am I even doing?’ moments and more of those ‘ah, that makes sense now’ flashes of clarity. There may be a little more direction and less wandering in circles.
I decided to try it.
What I Thought It Was—And What It Actually Is
Looking at all those Pinterest-perfect images, I assumed manifestation journals were cute, colorful, and mystical notebooks where you jot down your wildest dreams, stash them somewhere easy to find, and wait for the universe to stumble across them.
Then, voilà! Your dreams arrive via special delivery.
Jokes aside, there’s nothing inherently magical about these journals themselves. Still, there is something magical about the act of manifestation journaling.
It has the magic of making you slow down and consolidate your thoughts. It forces you to:
- Reflect on what you truly want
- Reach conclusions about your desires
- Ask the right questions
- Replace those nagging doubts with positive, forward-thinking statements.
It’s not just about writing,
“I want this!”
It’s more like,
“Why do I want this?” and
“What will I do about it?”
I started realizing that by writing down my goals, fears, and random thoughts, I was creating my map—no wizards, no fairy godmothers, just me and my pen.
And honestly?
Half the time, I didn’t even realize I needed a map until I saw one forming on the page.
The ‘Aha’ Moment: Why a Manifestation Journal Works
I used to think manifestation was all about “thinking positive.”
I learned it’s much deeper than that.
Manifestation journaling helped me notice patterns in my thoughts—some of which weren’t sunshine and rainbows.
Many were pretty negative—angry, blaming, or just downright sad.
No matter how many goals you set, you will remain stuck if you constantly doubt yourself or drown in fear.
My journal became a mirror, reflecting on everything I hadn’t confronted. It wasn’t just about writing what I wanted to manifest; it was about recognizing what was holding me back in the first place.
How I Got Started (And It Wasn’t Fancy)
My journal wasn’t some glittery, Pinterest-worthy notebook.
Nope, it was a basic, yearly diary where I logged random thoughts or scribbled down ideas. Regular and pen and highlighter will do the trick. Keep it simple superwoman.
I started small, just listing the things I wanted to focus on.
Before, I’d jot down everything: meal plans, weight reps, calorie counts, business ideas, marketing plans, annoyances, and feelings.
You name it, I wrote it.
But now, I was shifting gears into manifestation journaling mode.
I began writing as if the things I wanted had already happened.
Instead of “I want to be healthier,” I’d write, “I wake up each day feeling energized and strong.”
Honestly, it felt awkward at first.
It was almost like lying to myself, but the more I did it, the more I felt like I was visualizing the life I wanted.
Techniques That Are Out There: Popular Manifestation Journaling Methods
There are many techniques available out there.
I believe picking one over the other is a matter of preference rather than one is more effective than the other.
Different strokes for different folks.
I have tried a few from below in different phases of my life, but I must admit– today, I work with manifestation journals with far more clarity and intention than what I did eight, or six, or four years ago.
Here, I am sharing some techniques that are popular and my experiences with a few of them.
1.The 369 Method:
This method involves writing down your desire 3 times in the morning, 6 times at midday, and 9 times before bed. It’s designed to keep you focused on your goal throughout the day by repeating your intention.
Personal note: I haven’t tried this. In fact, I stumbled on it recently. Truly speaking with a jam-packed day, I’m not sure how diligent and consistent I would be.
2. 55×5 Method:
This technique requires you to write your specific desire 55 times for 5 consecutive days. The repetition helps imprint your goal into your subconscious, aligning your actions with your desires.
Personal note: I haven’t tried it either, though I’d love to. It reminds me of the punishments we got in school for forgetting our books—writing lines like, “I will bring my book to class every day,” 50 or 100 times.
Amusingly, that seemed ridiculous then, but when done through journaling, I see the point.
3. Future Scripting:
Future scripting is when you write as if you’re already living your desired life. This method helps you visualize your goals and creates a positive emotional connection to them.
Personal note: I totally believe in future pacing, and this method really appeals to me. I’ve even written letters from the future to my daughter—a practice I picked up during my NLP course over a decade ago. At the time, it didn’t make much sense to me, but now I see the value. It’s like preparing your mind for what’s to come and testing how comfortable you are with your current goals.
4. Gratitude Journaling:
This focuses on what you’re already grateful for, this practice raises your vibration and aligns you with positive energy.
Personal note: I cannot vouch for it enough. I am a daily practitioner of this and it is an essential part of my manifestaion journaling, meditation and in general thourghout the day when I feel good about something.
5. Vision Boards:
While not exactly journaling, vision boards are a great supplement. Creating a visual representation of your goals can work alongside your manifestation journal to reinforce your intentions daily.
Personal note: I made a physical board a few years ago using colored pens, pictures, affirmations, and stickers. It’s an excellent way to imprint your goals, making them feel more tangible and visually aligned with your thoughts.
Manifestation Journal Techniques That Worked for Me
With manifestation journaling, I’ve experimented with various techniques—from scripting (writing as if your dreams have already come true) to daily affirmations.
But the one that clicked for me?
Gratitude. And not just the ‘I’m grateful for my tea’ kind (though, I absolutely am).
I’m talking about digging deeper.
I’d write about the future as if I was already living it, but I always tried to tie it back to gratitude for what I already have.
This combination of gratitude for today and dreams of tomorrow… shifted my mindset in ways I didn’t expect.
Why Consistency Matters (But Not Perfection)
Journaling doesn’t work if it’s just sitting in a drawer, gathering dust.
I made it a point to write a few times a week, and that’s when things started to shift.
In my earlier “perfectionist” mindset, I thought I had to write every day, dedicating 30 minutes, or else it wouldn’t count. Thankfully, I let go of that chase for perfection and decided to let it unfold naturally.
I didn’t pressure myself to journal daily. Sometimes, I didn’t have much to say, but the simple act of checking in with my thoughts kept me grounded. And honestly, the more consistent I was, the clearer my intentions became.
The Little Roadblocks (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Sometimes I hit a wall, questioning whether this manifestation journaling was working. Some days, my goals felt out of reach.
This is how self-doubt grips you.
But I could see how far I’d come when I flipped through the pages.
The things I once thought were impossible were slowly becoming a reality—not always in insignificant, flashy ways but through small, meaningful shifts.
For example, this blog’s domain, which I bought years ago and let collect digital dust, is finally up and thriving.
I wasn’t precisely lifting weights like a pro, but at least my dumbbells weren’t gathering natural dust.
I’d ensure they felt used and respected a few days a week.
The biggest shift? I wasn’t beating myself up as much as I used to.
I could see progress—even if it was just a few inches or half a foot forward. Slowly but surely, I was starving my inner critic and treating myself more compassionately.
My Takeaway: Manifestation Isn’t Magic—It’s a Mindset
Manifestation isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
In fact, I truly believe none of the personal development modalities are.
What I’ve learned from manifestation journaling isn’t that you can magically manifest your dream life by scribbling it down (although that would be nice).
Writing down your thoughts, desires, and reflections opens up a dialogue with yourself that you might not even realize you need.
It’s about creating mental clarity, aligning your intentions with your actions, and noticing when you’re holding yourself back.
And no, the universe doesn’t suddenly deliver on a silver platter—but your mind shifts, your focus sharpens, and suddenly, you’re not just dreaming about the life you want; you’re actively creating it.
So, if you’re curious, try it.
Grab a pen, let your thoughts wander, and see where the journey takes you.
It led to a clearer, more intentional way of living. Manifestation journal is not magic but a way of life. It makes you go about your life more mindfully and intentionally