I started reading Manifesto by Candice Brathwaite on September 14th, 2024. Life got life-ing. I only got around to finishing it now… in the sauna at Third Space Gym. LOL
Each chapter holds something that resonated — not just as nice words, but as affirmations of ideas and lessons I’ve been living, learning or slowly walking into. So here’s a little review of some of the key points that stood out to me. I hope they meet you where you are, the way they did me.
🌀 What Do You Want Your Life to Feel Like?
Candice’s introduction opens up with such clarity around desire. Not just about manifesting your dream life in a Pinterest-board way, but really understanding the energy you bring into the world and how it shapes what comes back to you.
“It only works if you do.”
Whew. This hit. Energy attracts its likeness. If you want more joy, more softness, more love… you have to emit that. That sentence made me pause and ask myself: what do I want my life to look like? But more importantly: what do I want it to feel like? Heavy on that feel.
🗣ASKfirmations > Affirmations
Candice introduces the concept of ASKfirmations — framing your affirmations as questions to the universe, source, or whatever higher power you believe in.
Instead of saying, “I am successful,” you ask, “Why am I so successful?”
Not just “I am worthy,” but — “Why am I so worthy?”
Not “I’m a baddie,” but — “Why you such a baddie?!” 😌💅🏾
It even feels different, right? Like your whole body leans into the energy instead of resisting it.
It opens a different kind of energy — one of curiosity, possibility, and surrender. It also pulls your brain into answering the question positively.
🔮Crystals & Clearing Energy
This chapter was actually where I stopped reading last year. I remember it vividly — I’d just finished a FREE run event in Shoreditch — nervous I wouldn’t keep up (and listen, if there’s one thing you should know about me: I’ll sign up for something and feel the fear anyway — and this time, it ended up being lush).. After the run, I walked over igotthatcrystalhealing (FYI: please don’t buy your crystals on Amazon or some random site — energy and vibes matter, init). I was moving into my flat soon. I wanted to cleanse the space with sage, crystals, and little rituals — help me settle into this new chapter.
Candice talks about saging her space after guests leave. It’s not because they’re bad vibes. Instead, it’s a way to reset the energy. That really resonated. In my own little one-bed, I’ve started doing the same after hosting. Not a full-on ceremony, but a small reclaiming of the space. A reset. A breath.
❤️Love and Wealth 💵
The love chapter? Welp. I’m single. For me, it was a beautiful reminder. Love often flows in when you’re fully grounded in your own joy.
so yeah as I mentioned at the start. I’m reading the final chapters of this book in the sauna at Third Space (spenny, yes, I hear youu ama try it for a couple months!).
Joining that gym was a manifestation moment for me. I wanted to treat my body and feel deserving of that luxury. The gym itself intimidates me. I reminded myself: I deserve to be here. I am literally paying for it. I signed up in January and officially started on April 1st. I had planned to start in March, but… delays.
And then — no coincidence — I got a work bonus in March that made the cost easier to manage. The universe showed up. Just like Candice says: when you move with intention, the source moves with you.
🌱Happiness
The chapters that really grounded me were about happiness. We often chase excitement or milestones. Sometimes, true happiness is just… contentment.
The more you can accept and love where you are, the more peace you create. That’s where the joy lives. I’ve had moments lately where I’ve felt a little boring — like I don’t have exciting updates when I meet up with friends. But I’ve realised: I’m just content. I LOVE listening to my friends. I LOVE being present. I LOVE new, random experiences — doing random sh*t. Maybe that’s more of an only-child thing? Either way, I’m here for it.
Sometimes I worry that my quietness reads as something being wrong, but honestly… it’s peace. Don’t get me wrong, I be in my feels too. I have my moments of sadness — but I’m so grateful for the community of excellence around me. S/O to the Apple Event I went to for that line — haha.
“You’re at peace you’re not bored.”
That TikTok quote lives rent-free in my mind. And it’s so true.
Final Thoughts
Manifesto isn’t a book about quick wins or magical hacks. It’s more like a friend nudging you back to yourself — reminding you of your power, your softness, and your ability to co-create a life that feels as good as it looks.
Candice weaves practical steps with personal stories in a way that feels both accessible and deeply nourishing. Definitely worth a read. If you want my slightly steam- and sauna-battered copy, give me a shout — I’ll ping it over once I’m done
Have you read Manifesto? What did you take away from it? Let’s chat in the comments.
till next time xo
HELLOTANDA 
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