Manifest Your Best Year Yet: Setting Powerful New Year’s Intentions and Manifestations That Work

by Jamie Karia January 1, 2025

Manifest Your Best Year Yet: Setting Powerful New Year’s Intentions and Manifestations That Work

Author: Jamie Karia, LCSW
Life Coach, Psychotherapist, and Certified Reiki Practitioner (Level 2) with Over 20 Years of Experience

Introduction

The New Year is more than just a change in the calendar—it represents a fresh start, an opportunity to realign, reset, and dream big. But let’s be honest: how many times have New Year’s resolutions fizzled out before spring? The truth is, most resolutions focus on rigid outcomes rather than the energy needed to create meaningful and lasting change.

Instead of creating resolutions this year, try something different. Set soulful intentions and pair them with the power of manifestation.

Intentions are deeply rooted in how you want to feel and who you want to become. Paired with manifestation—the practice of focusing your energy, thoughts, and actions toward your desires—they become a powerful tool for creating a life you truly love. Manifestation doesn’t rely on luck; it’s based on clarity, alignment, and taking inspired actions.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), life coach, and Reiki Level 2 practitioner with over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped clients manifest their dreams, set meaningful goals, and align their lives with their purpose. Today, I’ll guide you through the steps to set intentions and create a manifestation list to make 2026 your most transformative year yet.

What Are Intentions, and Why Do They Work?

Intentions are not just wishful thinking—they’re guideposts for your energy, actions, and decisions. Unlike resolutions, which focus on strict goals, intentions are fluid and focused on aligning your values with your actions.

When paired with manifestation (the process of focusing your thoughts, energy, and belief towards your dreams), intentions serve as a magnet, drawing opportunities, relationships, and resources into your life. Manifestation works because focusing on what you want helps rewire your brain, align your behavior, and direct your energy toward your desires.

In short: You attract what aligns with your energy. Let’s make 2026 your best year yet by getting intentional about where your focus goes.

Step 1: Reflect Before You Manifest

Before setting intentions for 2026, take time to reflect on the past year. Reflection is essential because it helps you embrace the lessons, celebrate the wins, and release what no longer serves you.

Ask yourself:

What brought me joy in 2025? Write down the relationships, experiences, or habits that lit you up.
What challenges am I ready to release? Identify patterns, routines, or mindsets you’re leaving behind in 2025. Letting go clears space for new possibilities.
What lessons did I learn? Celebrate the growth you gained from both your successes and struggles.

To fully connect with this reflection, create a calming space: light a candle, journal, or practice a grounding meditation. As a Reiki practitioner, I encourage connecting with your heart—place your hand on your chest, breathe deeply, and ask, “What does my soul desire most for 2026?”

Step 2: How to Create a Manifestation List for 2026

A manifestation list is a powerful tool to declare and focus your energy on what you want to attract in the New Year. Writing it helps solidify your intentions and acts as a sacred contract between yourself and the universe.

Here’s how to create one that works:

Set the Stage for Manifestation

Choose a quiet setting and dedicate time to the process. Light a candle, play soothing music, or sit in silence. This practice is as much about aligning your energy as it is about clarity.

Start with Name and Date

At the top of your list, write your full name and today’s date. This personalizes your manifestation list and anchors it in the energy of the present moment.

Example:
Jamie Karia, January 2, 2026

Declare Your Intentions Boldly

Start your manifestation list with a declaration that reflects your confidence and trust in what’s coming. Write in the present tense, as if your manifestations are already unfolding.

Example Start of Your List:
“In 2026, I will have everything aligned with my highest good and greatest joy. These manifestations flow to me easily, effortlessly, and in divine timing. I trust the universe is working in my favor.”

Be Specific About What You Want

Write down 10 to 20 manifestations. Be as clear and detailed as possible—specificity sends a strong signal to the universe and builds your focus.

Examples:

“I will attract a job opportunity that fulfills me creatively and supports my financial growth.”
“I will save $20,000 to purchase my first home by October 2026.”
“I will feel strong and energized in my body, exercising consistently and eating nourishing meals.”
“I will cultivate loving relationships with people who inspire and uplift me.”

Tap Into Feelings

Don’t just focus on “what” you want—describe “how” it will feel once you achieve your desires. Adding emotional energy amplifies the manifestation.

Example:
“I feel confident and worthy as I grow my wellness coaching business and positively impact the lives of others.”

Speak and Align

Once your list is complete, read it aloud with conviction and belief. Speaking your manifestations brings them into the physical world and helps align your energy with what you’re calling in.

Step 3: Manifestation Rituals to Anchor Your Desires

Now that your list is written, it’s time to anchor these intentions with daily rituals that keep your focus aligned and your energy high.

Daily Visualization: Spend 5–10 minutes each morning visualizing your manifestations. Imagine them happening now—what do they look like? Sound like? Feel like?
Vision Board Creation: Use visuals, quotes, and affirmations to represent your dreams. Hang your vision board where you’ll see it daily as a source of inspiration and focus.
Reiki Energy Amplification: As a Reiki practitioner, I recommend visualizing white or golden light radiating through your body as you focus on each manifestation. Picture this energy clearing any blocks in your path.
Gratitude Practice: End each day by writing down three things you’re grateful for. Gratitude raises your vibration and accelerates the manifestation process.

Step 4: Turn Intentions Into Action

Manifestation thrives on more than belief; it requires inspired action. Once you’ve set your intentions, commit to taking small, intentional steps toward your goals.

Ask yourself:

What’s one thing I can do this week to get closer to my dream?
Maybe it’s sending an email, signing up for a course, or dedicating time for self-care—each small step builds momentum.

Step 5: Revisit and Celebrate Your Progress

Manifestation is a living process. Revisit your list regularly to reflect on your progress, adjust your intentions, and celebrate every manifestation that comes to fruition. Celebrating small wins reinforces your abundance mindset and strengthens your belief in the process.

Step Into 2026 With Confidence
You have the power to create the life you want. By setting meaningful intentions, creating a manifestation list, and aligning your actions with your desires, you can make 2026 a year of abundance, growth, and possibility.

So, what will you manifest in 2026? Share one of your intentions in the comments—I’d love to support and celebrate your journey toward creating your dream life!

Make It a New Year’s Eve Tradition

This manifestation practice doesn’t have to be a one-time exercise. In fact, I encourage you to make it an annual tradition every New Year’s Eve! Each year, set aside time to write your intentions and manifestations for the year ahead.

Save Your Lists in a journal, envelope, or special box. At the end of each year, revisit and reflect on what came to fruition and how you’ve grown. Tracking your manifestations is a beautiful way to see how past intentions have blossomed into accomplishments—and how your dreams evolve over time.

Remember to Have Grace With Yourself. While reflecting, you might notice goals you didn’t achieve or areas where progress was slower than expected. That’s okay. Life is about the journey, not perfection. This practice is a way of planting wellness seeds into your subconscious, nurturing your hopes and dreams with patience and love.

Just like seeds take time to grow, your manifestations require consistent care, belief, and action. Even if progress feels small, every step is significant. Celebrate what you’ve accomplished, learn from each experience, and carry forward your growth into the next year.

Plant those seeds intentionally—and watch the life you desire begin to bloom.

With love and intention,
Jamie Karia, LCSW

Disclaimers

This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. As an LCSW, I share proven tools for growth and alignment. However, this content is not a substitute for therapy, professional mental health treatment, or individualized wellness advice.
The rituals and techniques shared here are general suggestions. Please adapt them to your needs and consult professionals as required.