Not to trauma dump on you guys, but I was in a really dark place before I decided to move abroad in 2019. I had gotten fired from my first job (a blessing in retrospect because it was a toxic af), became depressed, got broken up with, was still living with my parents, and had sent out dozens of job applications with no results… I was going through it, okay?!
Literally me
But from that dark place, I manifested my life in Australia. The only way out of my depression was to imagine a new life for myself. I was done with corporate America—at least for a little while—and decided I wanted to take a gap year abroad.
In the darkest parts of that period, I turned to meditation. Specifically, a guided meditation called “Calling on Your Future Self” by Tara Brach. With tears streaming down my face, I was able to connect with a version of myself that wasn’t in pain, heartbroken, lost, or defeated. This future version of me was living her best life by the ocean, sun on her skin, learning how to surf, making new friends, and dating hot Aussie guys. I set my phone screensaver to an image of the Bondi Icebergs rock pool.
Some might have called it delusion, but when I was at rock bottom, this vision gave me hope.
I knew, in my heart, I needed to move, but my brain—trying to protect me from making an impulsive decision—held me back. I made a pro/con list to rationalize the move, but with barely any savings and no job offer in Australia, there were plenty of reasons not to go.
But no matter my external circumstances or logical reasoning, I couldn’t shake this feeling that I was meant to go. So, I decided to trust my gut and take the leap. And guess what? Everything worked out. I got a job at a social media agency almost immediately, made great friends, partied my heartsickness away, drank in the Aussie sun, and saw Bondi Icebergs in real life. I have never been without a job or a roof over my head.
Post I shared March 2020, caption “This photo is from the first time I saw the Bondi Icebergs in person. I had a stock image of the pool as my wallpaper before moving to Australia. It felt surreal to capture a photo myself”
My entire life abroad has been a constant exercise in manifestation. I’ve manifested a house by the beach, money, my dream partner—you name it. Anything I truly needed or wanted in my life, I was able to manifest.
I’m no guru—just someone who’s cultivated and practised the art of manifestation to make things happen in my life. And when you live abroad, relying on yourself and sheer faith for survival, you become good at this kind of stuff. Magic, manifestation, law of attraction—whatever you want to call it—has helped me make my wildest dreams come true.
💌 So, in this newsletter, I will teach you the basics of manifestation and the super simple formula for how to wield it.
Thanks for reading Another Broad Abroad! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
What is Manifestation?
You’ve probably heard the term tossed around pop culture. What was once reserved for niche new-age spirituality has now entered the mainstream. According to Google Trends, searches for “manifestation” have steadily increased over the past five years.
Google search term for ‘Manifestation’ in the US from 2004 - Present.
But what does it actually mean?
According to Vocabulary.com, manifestation is “something theoretical made real.” I love this definition for its simplicity: it involves taking something intangible and making it tangible.
In that sense, we manifest all the time. You wake up thinking about a hot cup of coffee (intangible), so you go to the kitchen, grind your coffee beans, make your espresso, froth your milk (tangible). Boom. Manifested.
Yet, when we think about manifestation, we tend to associate it with big, lofty goals—buying a house, launching a business, moving abroad. But the principle remains the same: you take a dream, an idea, a goal, and turn it into reality.
Unlike making a cup of coffee, these bigger goals require more energy, focus, and persistence—but that’s what makes them so rewarding. The challenge of creating the life you desire is worthwhile because it puts you in the driver’s seat. It gives you responsibility and ownership over what you create in this one short life.
You are constantly manifesting whether the outcome is desirable or not, intentional or not. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you can harness it to your advantage.
How to Manifest the Life You Want
I’m taking a page from Jordana Levin’s book Make It Happen because her manifestation formula is the simplest breakdown I’ve come across:
It expands on Earl Nightingale’s quote: “Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.”
💭 Thoughts
This is ground zero for your manifestations. Your external reality is a direct reflection of your internal world. Your thoughts shape your beliefs → which shape your actions → which shape your outcomes. That’s why it’s crucial to become aware of what you’re thinking—because whether you realize it or not, your thoughts are programming your reality.
In You Are the Placebo, neuroscientist Joe Dispenza explains how your brain doesn’t know the difference between imagination and reality. The more you think a certain way, the more your brain wires itself to expect that reality.
To shift your mindset:
Affirmations: Speak positive statements about yourself and your future.
Gratitude practice: Focus on what’s already working to attract more of it.
Visualization: Create a vision board, meditate on your dream life, or script it out.
🩷 Feelings
Thoughts alone aren’t enough—you have to feel like your future self already exists. Some call this timeline jumping. Your emotions are powerful energy signals, and when you align your emotions with your desires, you speed up the process.
Engage your senses. If you want to move to Italy, don’t just think about it—immerse yourself. Picture yourself walking down cobblestone streets, hearing Italian conversations around you. Imagine the taste of an affogato after a wood-fired pizza, the warmth of the sun as you swim in the Amalfi Coast. The more vivid the experience, the more powerful the manifestation.
To tap into this:
Scripting: Write a detailed “day in the life” of your future self.
Manifestation isn’t just about wishing—it’s about doing. Dreams without action are just fantasies. When you take aligned action, you send a signal to the universe that you’re serious.
Even small steps count. If you want to move abroad, research visa options. If you want a new job, start networking. You don’t need the full plan—just start.
To take action:
Break it down: Set SMART goals to track your progress.
Create a plan: Make a checklist for what needs to happen.
Take bold steps: Apply for that visa, send that email, take the leap.
🙏 Faith
This is the hardest part. Faith means trusting the process even when things don’t seem to be working. It means surrendering control and believing that what’s meant for you will come.
Manifestations don’t always show up the way you expect. Sometimes the universe redirects you. Maybe you don’t get the job you wanted—but something better is coming. Maybe your move abroad gets delayed—but it happens at the perfect time.
To strengthen your faith:
Practice patience: Trust the timing of your journey.
Let go of attachment: Release the “how” and focus on the “what.”
Stay open: Be flexible about how your dreams unfold.
Manifestation is both an art and a practice. Dream big, think with intention, feel deeply, take action, and trust the process. Start practicing this today, and your future self will thank you.
Eager to learn more about manifestation? Here’s my rec list!
❓ Question for the collective: Have you tried manifestation? If so, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever manifested? Let me know in the comments!
💖 Where are you from? Staten Island, New York
💖 Where are you living now? Israel
What’s one thing you love about the country you’re living in now?
I love the vibe of Israeli people. Since living in Israel, I have learned that Americans have this stereotype of being very cautious of others’ feelings and being polite all the time, to a point to ingenuity. You know that “sorry the house is a mess” kind of saying when someone comes over and you didn’t wash a dish. Here, I said that exact line because someone came over my apartment after a big party and the room was literally upside down. My friend responded, “that’s so American haha!” (For me to apologize.) And I realized that when I go to other peoples apartments, half the time it’s a mess. Like way messier than I would be comfortable with other people seeing. People here are pretty raw, they show their true selves, and aren’t embarrassed. When I go to a friend’s apartment that’s a mess and literally not a spot for me on the couch, I just pick up their jacket or blanket or whatever and move it. Business clothes do not really exist here its just jeans and a tee. If you are late to something it isn’t a big deal. And employers really want a good work/life balance, encouraging breaks and travel!
Have you ever felt like an outsider in your new country? How did you handle it?
I feel like an outsider when everyone around me is speaking Hebrew and I just don’t have a single clue what is going on. 🙃 What face should I put on? Do I laugh when everyone else laughs for the good vibes or would they think “why is she laughing even though she didn’t understand the joke?” That’s probably one of the hardest things. And what am I doing to manage it? I’m learning Hebrew hahaha, trying at least. It’s a pretty tough language, but when you are immersed and n it, it isn’t so bad. I’ve been here for a little over six months, and it’s slow journey to learning but now I am giving people directions on the street, ordering food, going to yoga and other workout classes, and I just started working as a physical therapist with babies aged 0 to 3… A lot of times I don’t have a clue what’s going on, but when I actually understand what someone is saying, it’s the best feeling in the world.
What’s the weirdest or funniest translation mishap you’ve had?
You know the phrase Valley Girl? In Hebrew, they say foo-kah-tsah and I said foo-kah-cha, yes like the bread foccacia.
Just got back to Auckland from a very beautiful trip to Bali. Coming down from the high of an amazing 10-day vacation is rough, especially because I start work again tomorrow. But I’m so thankful I got to experience it nonetheless!!
On our last few days, we stayed in the most gorgeous villa, where we spent lots of quality time with Marty’s family. Luckily, the rain subsided the second half of the trip and we spent plenty of time outdoors!
I’m particularly thankful I got to surf because I haven’t touched my board for a year. Ever since I moved to New Zealand, I just haven’t gotten around to it, mostly out of fear because the waves in NZ are dangerous and sharky. 🦈
We had to rent out a boat to get to the break, which was a new experience. It’s a bit scary though, because the shore is so far away. I was afraid I’d be a bit rusty, but honestly, it came back naturally- like riding a bike! Marty’s uncle is a surf instructor so I basically got private lessons for free (Thanks Eric!).
Picking out fabrics and getting custom tailored clothes at Nikki Tailor in Seminyak
I have way too much content from this trip. Might mess around and finally start posting on TikTok 🤪 Would you guys follow? Is TikTok still a thing lol?
Babe, 2025 is the year you move abroad!
If you guys have been following this ‘How to Move Abroad in 2025’ series, you’ll know that I’ve broken it down into multiple parts: the material and emotional.
If you’re just ‘tuning in’, here are the links to the resources so far:
This is sooooo Honors-earning Sociology Major meets woo-woo. Translation: so you!
This is so powerful✨ I love the simplicity of the Manifestation formula. It really makes it feel like life is working with you, not against you