Hey Queen,
Read this when you want to remind yourself that what you desire IS realistic, and can be accomplished with a simple process.
Last January (2025), we went to Thailand for our yearly international vacation. One day, we were driving around trying to find parking at the beach when we saw a sign for the Ritz Carlton Reserve.
Alex took a sharp turn, deciding that we’d spend the day at their private beach lounge. I was hesitant because I “knew we didn’t belong there” (limiting belief alert.)
Thankfully, I have a partner who is very confident and unafraid to take his seat at the table.
Only after seeing our Marriott member card and making what seemed like an important phone call, they reluctantly let us in.
We enjoyed beautiful drinks and views in a highly exclusive area where guests came and went on complimentary private boats.
We spent the afternoon in a state of PLAY – pretending this was a normal afternoon, even if weren’t dressed the part.
They gave us a tour of the rooms (it was a “Reserve” hotel aka — luxury private villas only). They were absolutely immaculate — inclusive of a butler, a bed that extended three lengths of a king (absurd, I know), and price points starting at $1200/night.
On our way home we talked about coming back someday even if it meant just spending one night there. In the back of my mind, I dreamed about coming back the following year.
We didn’t judge ourselves or talk ourselves out of the desire — we just let it blossom.
Fast forward six months later, we were planning our 2026 vacation.
We landed on Tenerife, Spain, and decided to book our first ever stay at the Ritz Carlton to celebrate a great year.
Upon arrival, the woman at the front desk told us they’d upgraded our room to private, ocean view “Retreat Villa” — inclusive of private pool and beach areas, free drinks and food, spa access and of course – a rate of $1200 a night.
Coincidence? I think not. Here’s why:
Before our experience in Thailand, we would have never even considered staying in a room that “expensive.” (It’s all subjective – what’s expensive to one person is cheap to another.)
Just a year after we were exposed to this environment and decided that’s something we could and would have, we received it — in a shorter time span than planned and without paying the full price.
Without that initial, expansive, imposter heavy experience, we probably wouldn’t have booked the Ritz or positioned ourselves to receive an upgrade. (Side note – we made an effort to hit Marriott membership status that year ,which is likely part of the reason they upgraded us. This wasn’t so much intentional as something we naturally did because we were subconsciously calibrated to start moving towards luxury.)
I oftentimes find myself reluctant to the idea of manifestation because there is so much more that goes into this story than “I wanted it, so I got it.” But manifestation isn’t wishful thinking or woo woo – it’s about the PRIMING for what’s to come.
In my opinion, here are the four steps it boils down to:
- PLACE yourself in an expansive environment – you know you’re in the right place if you feel like you don’t belong or think “how did they let me in here?”
- DECIDE you are capable and worthy of belonging there – push through the imposter syndrome and claim your seat, babe. Just be yourself, you’re already worthy.
- BELIEVE more experiences like this will happen for you – if this this was just the beginning, what’s coming next? Replace every doubtful thought with one that is confident and expansive until it feels natural.
- SHOW UP in the time between NOW and the DREAM – keep placing yourself in these environments mentally and physically, using your resources to take small steps and actively seeking the HOW with an open mind. (BONUS: placing yourself around people who are where you want to go is the fast track.)
Turning desires into reality is a process, and a fairly simple one at that.
The rest will unfold exactly how it’s supposed to — oftentimes in our favor, oftentimes above and beyond what we expect. 💫
Enjoy.
xoxo – Kari