Manifestation? What does it mean and why should I care? According to the Oxford dictionary the word manifestation refers to “an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something abstract or theoretical.” The word was originally derived from religious and spiritual idea’s that if something spiritual becomes real, this is said to be a manifestation. But why is this relevant to today’s society? Well, it has recently been circling in social media that people can use this manifestation to achieve their wildest dreams. Intriguing I know, that’s exactly what drew my interest to the topic, how does it work, how to manifest for yourself and if it actually works.
If anyone reading this has studied physics they may have come across the term “Laws of Attraction”. This term bases itself on the idea that there is a universal law that states by setting positive intentions and ambitions this can mentally influence whether or not these ideas and ambitions are actually fulfilled. A person achieves this when they cognitively reframe their current beliefs about their ambitions to create and visualise new belfies to replace limiting or self-destructive "negative" thoughts with more empowered "positive" thoughts. Some people believe when this is done you will self-consciously place yourself in situations where your ambitions are more likely to come true and likewise remove yourself from negative situations. Understanding this is the basis for how manifestation works and how to use it. Manifestation works by positive reinforcement, the more times you think about a statement involving your ambitions the more this idea settles in your head to the point where you no longer believe it to be a farfetched dream but an achievable reality.
So why am I even bothering to write this today? Well, as a student facing an extremely uncertain future in a country with increasing unemployment rates and lockdowns for the foreseeable, I found this oddly comforting. The idea that possibly there was something that could ease the process I’d be willing to take it. I myself, am not a particularly spiritual person so when first investigating this idea I initially was sceptical however, my opinion changed when I realised it involved more than just telling yourself your dreams are going to come true. Adrianne Elizabeth a health and wellness blogger writes of a number of steps that can be utilised in order to manifest to the best of one’s ability.
This initially involves clarifying your ambitions. This can begin with a simple target as unrealistic as wanting to be a millionaire and how are you going to achieve it? Write a bestselling novel or open your own restaurant? What to be a toned skinny legend, how will you measure this, what practices are you going to put into place? What lifestyle or diet changes are you going to make? By clarifying what it is we want and how to get it, it makes the “dream” you have in your head feel more achievable. In order to achieve an idea you need to be able to first visualise yourself already achieving it. Next you need to believe in yourself, this part to me is probably the most important, confidence is key. You can’t expect you ambitions to come true if you don’t actually believe they will. Studies have shown that students who present themselves with low self-esteem, anxiety and a fear of failure have portrayed a lower level of achievement to those who don’t. Thirdly make plans, look towards other people who you believe to be successful and who you admire and investigate how it is they got to where they are today. Potentially make a vision board, roughly deciding how you are going to get to where you want to be and physically write down any ideas you have towards getting there. The last step is to now take the knowledge you have and actually do something about it. Go and take control and start manifesting today, right now about anything you have in your life big or small.
Knowing what I know now, I realise that manifestation isn’t a miracle worker. I can’t just tell myself I want a body like Kendall Jenner and then wake up in a weeks’ time with one. But through positive reinforcement I can make changes in my life and tell myself that this isn’t a ridiculous or obscure idea. There are many people that actually believe in this. Singer Demi Lovato has manifested a number of dreams, one in particular was that one day she would sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl which she tweeted about in 2010 and years later her dream came true. Amy Schumer posed in a photograph with a golden globe when she was a child, never imagining she'd be nominated for a Golden Globe which she did for her role in Trainwreck. Many people have also used manifestation to meet the love of their lives, so if Tinder’s not really working out for you at the moment it might be worth giving it a try.
Whatever you believe, whether or not its laws of attraction, manifestation, lucky charms or praying to a higher power, I suppose there’s no harm it trying something else that benefits your productivity levels especially if it gets rid of some boredom in the current lockdown.