Manifesting
Etymology
The verb manifest (from Latin manifestus, "clear, evident") took on this sense through the New Thought movement and the "law of attraction," popularized by the 2006 book and film The Secret. It surged as everyday slang on TikTok around 2020.
verb · /MAN-uh-fes-ting/
Trying to will a desired outcome into reality by focusing belief, attention, and language on it as if it’s already true.
What it names
It names the practice of treating thought as causal — visualizing the job or the relationship and speaking about it in the present tense to "call it in." Whether or not you buy the metaphysics, it names a recognizable posture of directed, hopeful intention.
Example
I’m manifesting a quiet holiday season — I’ve literally written "restful December" on a sticky note.
Related idea
Overlaps with sibling delulu, but manifesting is earnest and goal-directed, where delulu is worn ironically.