The idea of “manifesting” may sound a bit new age-y or totally bonkers to some, but plenty of people find it really useful — and effective.
Sure, you may not be able to manifest winning the lottery or losing 100 lbs, but the idea that putting positive thoughts out into the world and assuming the best instead of the worst might make your life better actually makes a lot of sense. In fact, if people understood what the concept of manifesting was really all about and there were fewer misunderstandings, more people might actually try it. Here are some of the truths of the practice that most people never talk about. It might make you more open to trying it!
1. It’s not just about positive thinking.
Manifesting isn’t as simple as thinking happy thoughts and hoping for the best. It’s about aligning your thoughts, actions, and beliefs with what you want to bring into your life. While positivity plays a role, it’s the combined effort of intention, emotion, and action that makes manifesting powerful.
2. You need to take inspired action.
Manifesting doesn’t mean sitting back and waiting for things to magically fall into your lap. It’s about taking inspired action—those little nudges or ideas that feel aligned with your goals. When you act on those inspirations, you create opportunities that help bring your manifestations to life.
3. It’s okay to feel doubt sometimes.
Many manifesting guides will tell you to eliminate all doubt, but the truth is, doubt is normal. What matters is how you respond to it. Acknowledge the doubt, but don’t let it control you. The key is to keep your focus on what you want, even when the doubts creep in.
4. Manifesting requires patience.
Manifesting isn’t a one-time event, and it doesn’t always happen overnight. It’s a process that requires patience and trust in the timing of the universe. Sometimes, things take time to align, and forcing them to happen faster can create resistance. Allow yourself to stay open and trust the process.
5. It’s about vibrational alignment, not just desire.
Manifesting is about aligning your vibration or energy with the frequency of what you want. If your emotions and beliefs aren’t aligned with your desires, it can be hard to manifest. Focusing on how you feel in the present moment and cultivating a high vibrational state can make a huge difference.
6. You must release attachment to the outcome.
Manifesting works best when you release attachment to how and when things will show up. Obsessing over the outcome can create resistance and block the flow of energy. It’s about trusting that the universe will deliver what’s best for you, even if it doesn’t look exactly how you expected.
7. You need to believe in your worthiness.
If you don’t believe you deserve what you’re manifesting, it can be harder to bring it into your life. Manifesting isn’t just about wanting something; it’s about deeply believing you are worthy of it. Cultivating self-love and confidence is essential to manifesting your desires successfully.
8. Gratitude is a powerful tool.
Gratitude plays a huge role in manifesting. Focusing on what you already have and feeling thankful for it sends out a signal of abundance to the universe. When you’re grateful, you’re energetically open to receiving more of what you want, which accelerates your manifestation process.
9. Sometimes, what you manifest isn’t what you really need.
Manifesting is often about more than just getting what you want. Sometimes, the universe will give you what you need in ways you don’t expect. It may not always look like what you thought you wanted, but trust that it’s aligning you with something that’s in your best interest in the long run.
10. Manifesting can stir up old emotions and beliefs.
When you begin manifesting, you might uncover old wounds or limiting beliefs that need to be healed. This is a natural part of the process. Working through these emotions is essential for clearing the blockages that can prevent you from manifesting what you desire. It’s part of your personal growth.
11. You’re co-creating with the universe.
Manifesting isn’t a solo act—it’s a co-creative process between you and the universe. You set your intentions, but the universe helps bring them to fruition in ways that may surprise you. Trusting that you’re working in partnership with something larger than yourself is key to manifesting successfully.
12. You may need to let go of control.
One of the biggest challenges with manifesting is letting go of control. It’s natural to want to dictate exactly how things should happen, but manifesting requires a level of surrender. You must be willing to release the need to micromanage every detail and trust that things will unfold as they should.
13. You can manifest on all levels of life.
Manifesting doesn’t just apply to material things or career goals. You can manifest changes in your relationships, health, mindset, and personal growth. The process works across all areas of life, so don’t limit your manifesting efforts to just one area—open yourself up to the endless possibilities available to you.