Your wish list probably sounds like a fantasy novel. “I wish I had a million rupees.” “I wish I could travel the world.” “I wish my life was different.”
Here’s the problem: your brain hears those words and files them under fiction. Wishes feel distant, unreal, like birthday candles you blow out and forget. But there’s a tiny wording shift that changes everything—and it takes five seconds to apply.
The difference? Stop wishing. Start declaring.
Instead of “I wish I had more time for myself,” try: “I honor my need for rest, and I create space for it daily.” Feel that? The first is a plea. The second is a value you already hold, waiting to be lived.
This is the heart of the 13 wishes ritual that’s trending across India this December 2024. It’s not about manifesting magic. It’s about reframing desire as identity—and writing it down in present tense, as if it’s already true in your heart.
Below, you’ll find 13 ready-to-use examples grouped by theme, plus a 60-second personalization method so you can make them yours before the new year.
The wording switch that makes wishes feel real
Traditional wish language is passive. “I wish,” “I hope,” “I want”—all of these place the outcome outside your control, in the hands of fate or luck.
The shift: Write in present tense, anchored to your values.
- Before: I wish I was healthier.
- After: I value my body, and I choose nourishing food and movement that make me feel alive.
Notice the difference? The second version doesn’t wait for permission. It claims the identity now, even if the behavior is still forming. Your subconscious hears it as truth, not fantasy.
This is why the 13 wishes ritual works. You’re not asking the universe. You’re reminding yourself who you already are—and what you’re ready to become.
13 ritual examples, grouped by theme
Health & energy (3 examples)
- I honor my body’s signals. I rest when I’m tired, move when I have energy, and trust my rhythm.
- I choose foods that make me feel strong. I enjoy meals that nourish me, and I release guilt around eating.
- I breathe deeply and often. I give my nervous system permission to relax, even in busy moments.
Relationships & connection (3 examples)
- I attract people who respect my boundaries. I communicate clearly, and I trust that the right relationships will honor me.
- I forgive myself for past mistakes in love. I learn from them, and I move forward with compassion.
- I celebrate the people who show up for me. I express gratitude freely, and I let love be simple.
Work & purpose (3 examples)
- I trust my skills and experience. I speak up in meetings, and I know my voice adds value.
- I create work that aligns with my values. I say no to projects that drain me, and I seek opportunities that energize me.
- I am worthy of fair pay. I negotiate confidently, and I know my time has worth.
Money & abundance (2 examples)
- I manage money with calm and clarity. I track my spending without shame, and I make choices that reflect my priorities.
- I welcome financial growth. I am open to new income streams, and I trust my ability to build security.
Inner peace & growth (2 examples)
- I release the need to control everything. I focus on what I can change, and I let go of the rest with grace.
- I am allowed to change my mind. I grow, I evolve, and I give myself permission to want different things as I learn.
How to personalize these in 60 seconds
Don’t just copy-paste. Make each statement yours.
Here’s the method:
Step 1: Pick one example that resonates.
Step 2: Ask yourself: What specific situation in my life needs this right now?
For instance, if you chose #7 (“I trust my skills”), maybe you have a presentation next week. Rewrite it:
“I trust my knowledge of this project. I speak clearly in Friday’s presentation, and I know my preparation is enough.”
Step 3: Read it aloud. Does it feel true, even if it’s aspirational? If not, soften it. Replace “I am” with “I am becoming” or “I choose to believe.”
Step 4: Write all 13 on paper. Not your phone. The act of handwriting activates different neural pathways and makes the ritual feel ceremonial.
Do this once before December 31st, 2024. Then revisit the list in March 2025. You’ll be surprised how many have quietly become real.
Why this works (and why it’s not just positive thinking)
This isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about shifting your internal narrative from victim to participant.
When you write “I value my body,” you’re not denying that you skipped the gym this week. You’re planting a flag: This is who I am at my core. Behavior follows identity, not the other way around.
Research in self-affirmation theory (first studied by psychologist Claude Steele in the 1980s) shows that when people reflect on their core values, they become more resilient to stress and more open to change. You’re not lying to yourself. You’re aligning your language with your deeper truth.
The 13-wish structure also matters. It’s enough to cover multiple life areas without feeling overwhelming. And the ritual element—writing by hand, doing it once, revisiting later—creates a psychological bookmark. Your brain treats it as significant.
Your next step
Grab a notebook and a pen. Not later. Now.
Write one sentence in present tense that reflects a value you hold but haven’t been living fully. Start with “I choose,” “I trust,” or “I honor.”
Read it aloud. Notice how it feels in your chest.
That’s your first wish—not as a fantasy, but as a declaration of who you’re becoming.
Then write 12 more. By the time you finish, you won’t be wishing anymore. You’ll be remembering.