For the skeptical (I hear you)
So I've been talking about manifestation... but what about all the incredible science-minded, logical, down-to-earth people who just aren't buying into this airy-fairy manifestation stuff?
What if you think it's BS?
First of all, I hear you – really, I do. I used to be in your shoes.
I'm a super science nerd, shouting show me the studies! to any wild claims. And if there's no unbiased data to back it up, then I take it with a grain of salt.
So then how can I lean in to something as intangible as manifestation?
Because I've learned that life really does flow more smoothly when I do.
It feels better. I feel more confident when I imagine myself doing well, and more tense about when I focus on all the ways that I could fail.
It actually is science. Thinking about anything (including how we want to feel) strengthens neural pathways (neuroplasticity). The more we use any neural pathway, the stronger it becomes, and the more likely our brain will be to choose it over other pathways.
It keeps me in my lane. It helps me focus on what I can control – how I think and act – and let go of what I can't control – basically everything else.
It's more realistic. Changing my beliefs about myself is much more realistic (and in my control!) than trying to change my external environment to work in my favor.
It's less work. If I put my energy towards how I want to feel and let go of the how, I don't lose precious energy trying to chase down red herrings. After all, for everything we do, it's not about the action, it's about how we believe the action will make us feel.
It primes me. When I put my energy towards a particular feeling or emotion, it becomes more likely for me to notice it in other places at other times.
It's so low risk. If things don't work out the way (I thought) I wanted them to, what have I lost? Even the time I spent in meditation sitting with a "good" feeling is still more valuable than so many other things I could have been doing instead.
So even if I'm "wrong" about manifestation, I've enjoyed so many other benefits along the way.
And that's a risk I'm willing to take.
So for all the nonbelievers out there – maybe you're right. Maybe feeling into it what you want won't get you any closer to the life you want to live. But what do you have to lose by giving it a chance?
