Manifestation. It is a word and way of thinking that has swept across the health and wellness industry the past few years relatively unchecked. To be quite honest, it’s left me a little on edge.
Let me preface this post by saying I am on board with a lot of what Manifestation encourages us to do: set goals, visualize a positive outcome, work toward that outcome. What troubles me is some of the potentially harmful terminology and quick fix thought processes that surround this trending ideology. I wanted to shed some light on these things and start a wee bit of provocation for personal agency when using this rather popular word.
First: Please keep in mind how debilitating and discouraging it can be to tell someone who is struggling with clinical depression, in the midst of grieving or dealing with destructive thought patterns “you become what you think, you put out into the world what you’re thinking, you manifest it”
When someone is in the midst of a struggle with mental illness, or experiencing a legitimate difficulty, the last thing they need to hear is that the state they are unintentionally caught within will create more negativity, more troubles, and unwittingly leave them with the feeling that, somehow, this is all their fault. When in reality; they did not choose this existence, any more than someone who is diagnosed with type one diabetes chooses to hook themselves up to a much needed insulin pump for the rest of their life.
So for the love of sanity and mental health, think twice and check yourself with the, “you become what you think” mantra.
Meditation reminds us we are not our thoughts. We are the constant calm awareness that lies in the depths of our being. Some days it is easier to feel this calm. Learning to trust it is there the rest of the time. Learning to seek and identify with this deeply seated peace through mindfulness practices is much more valuable and healing than bombarding ourselves with the counter intuitive message to stay positive all the time and get busy manifesting.
A more realistic and helpful alternative might be learning how to just discover and be who we are.
Second: Please don’t assume because something worked out for you, it was because you ‘manifested’ it.
There are so many things outside our control that influence outcomes. For example, don’t forget the influence of your socioeconomic background. I say this because the people I hear using the phrase “I manifested this” are usually upper middle class white women who enjoy quite a bit of privilege. So the next time something goes your way, ask yourself, did you manifest it, or was it a bi product of your privilege?
Third: Manifestation beliefs hold the tendency to give the person who is eagerly “manifesting” an inflated sense of autonomy and control.
“I’ll manifest this and prove to myself I have the ability to influence my situation by thinking it or making a dream board!”
I understand the appeal. At uncertain times in our lives, not to mention this moment in history, looking for control in all its forms is enticing.
But control is an illusion. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Yes have goals, yes have dreams, yes have plans on how you intend to achieve them. All of these things are healthy and good.
In the same breath, allow for setbacks. Allow for unforeseen roadblocks. Allow for difficulties even the most Pinterest-y of goal maps could never anticipate.
Also – what if you were to flip this notion on its head? We only attribute manifestation to positive things. But if we are being logical we would apply the “power of words” to all aspects of life. If that were the case, when you speak negatively, for example you wished something bad would happen – and it does – did you manifest that into existence?
There is terminology for this type of belief system. “Magical Thinking” – the idea that our thoughts directly affect the external world, a thought process commonly held by children. This is a way of thinking we eventually outgrow. It is also a way of thinking that can become debilitating if someone is struggling with a very real diagnosis of OCD.
It has been proven that our thoughts produce chemical reactions, and these reactions affect our bodies. With this in mind, endeavoring to alter thoughts for the better, when and where it is realistic to do so will bring us better health. However, be cautious of this belief that because you spoke it, or thought it, you manifested something into existence.
Fourth: “Manifestation mindsets” have the potential to negate hard work.
There are manifestation workshops and writings that go into the aspect of working hard in order to bring the things you’ve created about.
Even so, I have come across a bombardment of quippy, social media manifestation quotes that talk about sitting back, relaxing and waiting for the universe to give you what is rightfully yours. This idea that if you speak a thing out loud once, you now feel you have earned the right to receive it.
Well I hate to break it to you, but you gotta earn that shit. Ask your Grandma Edna who “manifested” her bakery business by busting her ass, invested in property so her kids could go to the school of their choice, all while fighting against gender inequalities you couldn’t fathom in your wildest ’20 something’ dreams.
In short; roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Fifth: Set the goal for yourself, have a plan on how to achieve it, and then shut up about it.
One quote I can get on board with is “work quietly and let your success speak for you”. Talking about your goals repeatedly doesn’t make them happen, it just makes you annoying.
Ssssshhhhhh – make your probiotic sodas a reality and then talk to me, Ashton.
Manifestation has claimed its place in the world of health and wellness. When infused with goal planning, deliberate execution and a more realistic understanding of how the mind works, it is potentially very helpful. By giving people a focus or a productive thing to channel energy towards it is an agent for good. However, being wary of quick fixes, backroom psychology, oppressive positivity and a sense of entitlement are important things to keep in mind.
By all means, go forth and manifest. Seek to do things with wisdom, discretion and an understanding of the big picture.
Manifestation takes deliberate execution. So get busy manifesting by actually doing things – and maybe don’t talk about it so much.
