Gratitude and manifestation can take many forms, and I promise it’s not all “woo-woo!” After months of practice, I am proof that it works. I single-handedly gave myself a better and more positive-filled life through gratitude journaling and brujeria. As Latines, I think nuestra cultura really embraces spirituality. We have seen plenty of cases where we are literally able to manifest our future. We are powerful beings, all of us, and it’s time we start believing it and living it through gratefulness and manifestation.

One of the biggest rappers in the world, Cardi B has manifested her riches through her music. In April 2018, she released her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which topped the US Billboard 200. Only six months later she dropped her hit single “Money.” At the time, Cardi’s net worth was 8 million. The song went on to be certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2024, Cardi B’s rumored net worth is around $80 million plus, so I’d say her manifestations are working.

I started to realize that all of our favorite musicians are literally manifesting their future, right in front of us, and we might not even realize it. Some people speak things into existence through singing, rapping, even poetry. Others just blindly believe in themselves or write down their dreams and goals until they manifest themselves. This is something Shawn Mendes talks about.

In his Netflix documentary, Shawn Mendes: In Wonder, Shawn takes you back to how he got started and how he ended up where he is today. As a singer/songwriter myself, I was so captivated by someone who inspired me so much. I heard Shawn talk about how he achieved his goals through manifestation. I was shocked because I feel like I’m horrible at achieving my goals, so I was willing to take any advice, especially from someone who has “made it.” I continued to watch Shawn Mendes: In Wonder vigorously and started taking notes.

Shawn took out his journal and showed the camera everything he manifested over the years. He said he went through a big phase where he used to write things down over and over, like “I sing high with no tension” or “My chest voice is strong and healthy” to protect his voice on tour. He also shared how he manifested selling out world-renowned arenas like The Roger Center.  He filled an entire book with his desires and one after another they came true. I wondered if practicing something like that could help me achieve my goals too.

Not long after the Shawn Mendes: In Wonder came out, I was going through one of the worst breakups in my life, a friendship breakup. I was in a dark place, feeling rejected. And things weren’t going well at home either – living with three other roommates, you’re bound to have a bad apple.

One of my friends/mentors recommended that I start a gratitude journal. She told me that it helped her at a time when she needed it, but I wasn’t even sure if I was capable of committing to a daily ritual like journaling.

I was feeling like the things going on in my life, good or bad (mostly bad) were out of my control. The idea of starting something like this to bring my dreams to life made me feel in control of my future – like I could replace “destiny” with my own intention. The only successful habit I’d taken on thus far was vegetarianism, but my mentor was so enthusiastic that I had to at least try. As a Virgo Moon and neurodivergent girly, I really enjoyed checking things off every day. The act of writing down what I was grateful for felt productive and that was its own reward.

Today, my daily gratitude journals include, three gratitudes, three goals, a mantra or vibe of the day, a song of the day, manifestations, and affirmations. I also have a full moon ritual that I do every month, where I charge my crystals, make moon water, write down what I’d like to manifest over the next month, and thank the moon for its blessings through gratitude journaling.

When the next full moon comes, I check off everything that came true and rewrite them as gratitudes. This helps me keep track of anything I am able to manifest. It’s been a great way to track my progress and be grateful for even the smallest rewards.

It’s now been three years since I started practicing gratitude and manifestation rituals. And for those who have been skeptical, I am proof that it works. I single-handedly gave myself a better and more positive-filled life through gratitude journaling and brujeria. It’s been a great way to track my progress, all of my achievements, and be grateful for even the smallest of things.