I felt really lucky to have seen Anna Akana on stage during her It Gets Darker tour in Manila in February. Hence, I felt it’s timely for me to share something related to her. I have been watching her YouTube content since 2018 and she has been my online shrink and older sister since. In support of her, I bought her guidebook in late 2023 and this is only to share what I got from it. Anna Akana’s guidebook on crafting your dream life has given me a fresh perspective on what it means to create the life I genuinely desire. It’s both a practical and introspective journey, urging me to explore my beliefs and subconscious patterns to unlock my true potential.
The core idea in Anna’s approach is recognising how much of our lives are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves. She makes it clear that our inner beliefs, often formed without us realising, dictate much of what we experience. By learning to identify these beliefs—keeping those that empower us and letting go of the limiting ones—we can start consciously creating our ideal life. It’s like combining self-awareness with intentional manifestation, as she explains how our thoughts and assumptions truly shape our reality.
What I found particularly enlightening was her emphasis on changing my self-concept. To step into the “dream version” of myself, I need to embody that person’s qualities—confidence, joy, abundance—right now. The guide doesn’t just stop at reflection; it’s filled with daily practices, like affirmations, setting intentions, and visualising my dream life. These tools help to rewire my mind, aligning my thoughts and behaviours with the life I envision. It’s about waking up each day and choosing to feel as if I’m already living that dream, so that my mindset and energy start to attract the external changes I want to see.
Anna also highlights the importance of persistence and staying consistent, as reprogramming our beliefs doesn’t happen overnight. She encourages daily routines like gratitude exercises, emotional regulation, and “mental dieting”—being mindful of what I let into my mind and avoiding negativity. These small, intentional shifts help me stay on track and prevent me from slipping back into old patterns.
Ultimately, Anna’s guide has shown me that creating my dream life is about rewriting my personal narrative and living as the best version of myself. It’s both an inward and outward journey, where I commit to shifting my beliefs, building new habits, and taking action in ways that align with my vision. This guide feels empowering because it’s not about wishful thinking—it’s a genuine process of self-discovery and growth that, with commitment, can truly lead to a fulfilling life.