“Manifesting is taking things from my dream life and moving them into reality; it’s trusting the vision and making it tangible.” 

Talking to author, podcaster and speaker Candice Brathwaite is such a breath of fresh air, especially when discussing manifesting and wellness, subjects that have become synonymous with a particular type of woman. Usually, when you hear about manifestation, it’s coming from a person who is white, middle class, thin, ‘traditionally pretty’ and able-bodied.

It’s for this exact reason that Brathwaite has written her new book, Manifesto – not only to close that gap but to show people that manifesting can be for everyone, and not just those to whom the universe has already been kind.

Over Zoom, Brathwaite tells me that she had to go through hearing about wellness and manifesting from people who simply didn’t look like her or experience the world as she does. “It felt like no one had considered what manifestation looks like for people who feel as though they’re on the fringes of society. It’s all well and good a pretty, thin white woman telling you that you can live your dream life, but they’re born into a body of privilege, so they’re already ahead of the start line.” The author adds that there are so many women who look like her or exist in marginalised communities who won’t engage with manifestation because it’s not fronted by someone who looks like them.

But Manifesto isn’t just here to close a gaping hole in the manifestation world; it’s also a “love letter to my readers and a gift back to the people who have supported me for so long”. When people read and close the book, Brathwaite hopes it will spark some self-reflection. “So much of manifestation is rooted in how little you value yourself and that you believe you don’t deserve a better life,” she says.

Brathwaite’s latest book isn’t only for those who already have an interest in manifestation. As someone sceptical of manifesting as a practice, Manifesto opened my eyes to self-reflection and gave me a lot to think about. Brathwaite writes beautifully, brilliantly and with so much humour and personality that you can’t help but feel it’s as though the author herself is reading to you.

In an early section of Manifesto, Brathwaite talks about ASKfirmations and mentions that a big one for her is to reach a position within herself to be able to deliver keynote speaking events. In the past couple of weeks, the author was the keynote speaker for the Black Ballad Weekender, giving readers a real-life and live ASKfirmation that’s delivered in its power. “I’ve always wanted to have a career like Brené Brown or Mel Robbins, and I can completely see myself selling out stadiums around the world. But how am I going to do that if I’m scared to stand up and talk to 10 people? I knew I had to face this fear and I’m over the moon with the progress,” explains Brathwaite.

A key part of manifesting is remaining unrealistic and letting go of logic, according to Brathwaite. “Logic feels to me like this thing that’s been designed to make people come to a standstill in their life. There’s always this barrier stopping them. So, in my household, I always say, ‘Don’t let small logic rob you of big magic.’” The author wants readers to try to lean out of their logical brains and lean into manifestation. “Nothing about my life makes logical sense. The situation I was raised in – the violence, the poverty – to where I am now. If we had to put that in black and white, I was an absolute non-starter.” But Brathwaite approaches her life and her career with an “absolute, hardcore and unwavering faith that there is a way this can be done”.

One thing that Manifesto isn’t, however, is a quick fix or a shortcut to change. Brathwaite reiterates to me that manifesting isn’t a game: “The first six months are going to feel like hell, because what’s naturally going to happen is the life you built on sand has to be washed away and this can be very uncomfortable.” Even while writing the book, Brathwaite felt the writing process opened up lots of gateways to change that have been deeply uncomfortable for her too. “I always say to people that you should think about where you want to be at 30, 40 or 50 and work backwards and see what tiny changes you can repeat every single day. Manifesting isn’t a crash diet.”

Candice Brathwaite’s new book Manifesto (£20, Quercus) is out now: www.candicebrathwaite.com 

Images: Amanda Akokhia; Quercus