You’ve heard all the sayings about believing in your dreams or by dreaming it, you can achieve it, but what if you could make your dreams a reality? What if you could will your greatest desires and hopes into existence?

That’s the idea at the heart of manifestation. Manifestation, in its simplest definition, is the act or process of making something tangible. However, when it comes to manifestation as a habit or framework for achieving what you want in life, the idea is a bit more complex. 

Let’s take a look at the idea and its inspiration. Then, keep reading to discover ways you can create the habits to realize the benefits of manifestation in your own life.  

What Is Manifestation?

More than just its dictionary definition of creating something tangible, manifestation is about your conscious effort to make everything you want to feel and experience a reality. You can attain the life you want by channeling your thoughts, regulating your actions and emotions, and aligning your beliefs. 

To understand manifestation, it helps to look at the spiritual belief said to be its origin.

New Thought Spirituality

New Thought is actually not new. The idea has been around since the 19th Century. New Thought Spirituality was a mind-healing movement that relied on the concept that one’s thoughts could lead to a better life.

It’s portrayed as an ideology that emphasizes an optimistic worldview and a focus on personal well-being, health, and material success.

The core belief held by New Thought spiritualists is that consciousness, ideas, and thoughts are the basis of reality and are the forces behind all phenomena-including the events and circumstances in a person’s life. It is believed there is a direct correlation between positive thinking and positive results, whether that be healing, success, or relationships.

Manifestation works in tandem with the Law of Attraction, and it’s the universal law responsible for the act of manifestation. 

Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction is one of twelve universal laws; ancient laws thought to be inherent in our universe. The Law of Attraction states that one’s thoughts determine one’s reality. It is often presented as “like attracts like.” The Law of Attraction is at play in your life whether you harness its power or not. 

You’re already receiving what your mind is unconsciously drawing to you. Manifestation is the act of manipulating the Law of Attraction to bring you what you desire in life. 

Recent Emergence

Recent interest in manifesting and New Thought ideals is credited largely to a new generation of readers discovering the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. 

When the self-help book was published in 2006, it was wildly popular and brought the concept of New Thought positive thinking into the mainstream. 

What It’s Not

It also helps to consider what manifestation is not. There are some misconceptions when it comes to manifestation. 

Manifestation is not:

• Blind hope or faith
• Magic
• Religion
• Being optimistic
• Just thinking good thoughts

Although things like hope, optimism, and good thoughts are cornerstones of a successful manifestation habit, it goes deeper than that. The habit is a very deliberate act that rests on a core set of principles.

Principles

Although you’ll find variations regarding core values and beliefs of manifesting, some overriding principles pervade most successful manifestation habits.  

Here are the basics: 

1. Have a vision-you need to know exactly what you want.
2. Have a strong desire-these are the emotions that will drive you.
3. Believe-you have to believe your desires can be yours.
4. Take action-make moves and accept opportunities that align with your goals.
5. Be thankful-continually reflect, acknowledge, and be grateful for what you have.

Initiate 

If you want to practice the art of manifestation, there are some first steps you can take to prepare for adopting the habit:

1. Start by writing down your goals. Consider both short and long-term visions for yourself.
2. Practice breathing and meditation.
3. Move your body. I suggest yoga or interpretive dance. You’ll boost your mood and block negative energy.
4. Start spreading the word. Talk with people about your goals in a positive way. Let them know what you’re going to accomplish!
5. Create a vision board and then place it somewhere you can regularly see it.
6. Start a manifestation journal.

Beginners are also encouraged to keep an open mind because you have to be in the right mindset for manifesting. Your faith in the process will be integral to its success. The first step is accepting a more positive mindset.

Other good tips for beginners  are keeping a worry list and focusing on your “why.”

It’s easy to get caught up in our concerns and worries. A worry list can help get rid of those to clear your mindset and start manifesting. Any time worry enters your mind, write it down. The second they come to you, acknowledge it and record. The exercise helps in releasing that negativity which is integral to the practice of manifesting. 

It also creates a log of your worries. You can review this log and take an honest look to see if any of them warrant your time and attention. It’s likely you’ll find many of them aren’t worth it!

Beginning to focus on your “why” will help promote manifesting. Think about the feeling you hope to gain when you’ve attained the status or achieved the goal you want to manifest. Imagine feeling that. 

Your “why” will affect your motivation, attitude, and determination and be a driving force for manifesting.

Add Affirmations 

Daily positive affirmations have power and are a science-based strategy stemming from self-affirmation theory. The daily recitation of positive affirmations is a contributor to a successful manifestation habit.

What are Positive Affirmations?

Positive affirmations are short, positive statements that you repeat daily. They are intended to use your conscious mind to reprogram your unconscious mind. 

Your body is continually responding to the thoughts in your head and just thinking about something causes chemical reactions in your body that control things like your mood and emotions. When used repeatedly, positive affirmations can change your brain. Those changes then affect your body and your life.

A belief in manifesting means believing that the mind is the center of all your circumstances and it is responsible and capable of changing those circumstances. Positive affirmations are a key to training your mind to make change and maintain a positive mindset.

Some general positive affirmations for manifesting include:

• I am strong
• I will make my dreams come true
• I am worthy of fulfillment
• I am enough

To write your own affirmations, try following these tips:

• Write in the present tense
• Keep them short
• Focus statements on specific goals
• Start with “I am”

Some individuals practice positive affirmation by using the same statements for an extended period, while others specifically develop new affirmations for each day. You can tailor the habit to your routine and vision.

Building the Habit

Once you’ve laid the foundation for establishing a manifestation habit, build on it so that it becomes routine in your daily life. 

Most successful manifesters swear by a consistent morning routine. The early hours of your day tend to be the moments before obligations, stressors, or schedules set in. It is this time that affords the most clarity and focus. You’re also signaling your mind to focus on your desires and goals all day long. 

To create your routine, consider activities that you enjoy, which will aid in a focus on your goals and developing a positive mindset. 

Here are some suggestions for morning manifesting:

• Exercise to trigger endorphins
• Meditation on your desires
• Reading, especially manifestation related material
• Recite your positive affirmations
• Visit your vision board
• Write in a manifestation or gratitude journal

It’s also common to close your day with reflective journaling and another recitation of your affirmations.

Benefits

Although manifestation is not an exact science, it uses actual psychological principles. Visualization, meditation, and journaling are all proven to promote a sense of happiness and well-being. Manifestation can aid both your health and your emotional state.

Health

Stress can lead to a host of health issues. Besides feeling mentally taxing, it affects your body physically in ways such as:

• Headache
• Muscle tension
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Stomach issues
• Sleep problems

Most individuals with a consistent manifestation habit experience less stress. By continually focusing on the positive, negative feelings and emotions that often cause stress or anxiety are less likely to be thoughts you dwell on in your mind. 

Manifesting is an exercise that shifts your perspective to a more positive outlook and creates an overall feeling of peace and contentment. You’ll notice less stress mentally and will be less likely to experience the physical health implications caused by stress.

Emotions

Emotionally, manifestation can be a significant factor in improved emotional wellness. Since a positive outlook is the crux of manifestation, you’ll enjoy more optimism. 

There’s interesting brain science behind expressing gratitude. Studies have shown that the feeling of gratitude stimulates the production of dopamine, our brain’s “pleasure” chemical. Grateful thoughts actually lead to a better emotional mood.

Manifestation May Be For You

At Red Moon, we strive to help you attain good health and happiness. We believe your emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness matter.

We love providing products that align with our belief in holistic wellness and we encourage you to seek other opportunities, like manifestation, to enrich your life in all other ways possible.

___________

Alison Ferrell is the co-founder of Red Moon and has a passion for helping others discover peace and comfort amidst reproductive health issues. Alison draws on her deep empathy for those who’ve suffered from Endometriosis and reproductive illnesses as inspiration for her business. You can connect with her on Linkedin.

Resources:

The Joy Within
Encyclopedia
MindValley Manifestation
MindValley Positive Affirmations
Very Well Minded
Vox
Oprah Daily
Your Tango
Brides
MindBodyGreen
Iriediva
Best Brain Possible