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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you believe in manifestation?

214 replies

Thewal · 21/10/2023 23:49

I watched ‘The Secret’ today. It seemed to be mostly waffle with some random quotes thrown in, but from what I can gather it suggests that positive thinking and asking for things from the universe is what leads to ‘success’ and essentially getting what you want.

So I’d love to hear if you have ever manifested something into reality? How did you do it and how long did it take? Do you believe in it? And does the banishing of negative thoughts ever stress you out?

I just want to know what day to day life is like for people who practice this and if people have actually had something happen they put down to it?

OP posts:
Anyotherdude · 22/10/2023 06:28

I think that “Manifestation” as a concept, is a way of people being slightly less truthful about how they achieved their success by actually using focus…

Original poster
Thewal · 22/10/2023 08:11

MassageForLife · 22/10/2023 04:29

Yes, it works. But not in some 'woo' way.

It works because people focus on what they want, and take the steps they need to take to get there.

Is it 100%? Nope. You have to believe it's possible because that's what keeps people focused on the end goal so they don't get swayed by or things. For example Neil Gaiman, when he was just about making ends meet as a writer, turned down a great job offer for a well known magazine, despite having a baby on the way. He knew it would take him away from his goal. That's the kind of focus that people should be trying to harness when they try manifesting - but a lot of people think it's just putting what you want out to the universe and hoping it will come back to you somehow.

God, and what if he hadn’t made it? The thing is, what if you aren’t that good? Like, if you were manifesting having a great pop career but you can’t sing? That’s a huge risk.

I was very lost watching ‘The Secret’ it seemed to be a lot of words that didn’t say a lot. And constant positivity sounds exhausting, but I’m not a positive person!

That’s why I wanted to ask here, to see if anyone in real life had actually decided that whilst working on their minimum wage job to manifest a mansion and it had actually appeared.

OP posts:
Lochness1975 · 22/10/2023 08:17

I made a dream board, and succeed in 4 of things off my board- a job (I was on disability), a new home, a new car and getting engaged.

Sparklesocks · 22/10/2023 08:18

LylaLee · 22/10/2023 00:27

The flip side is victim blaming. So you manifested your cancer, SA, abuse, bankruptcy.

Yes, if you make a detailed plan, you're more likely to achieve it. If you focus on your goals you'll find more opportunities. That's all there is to it.

This - or did you not ‘manifest’ enough to stop them/make them end?

I don’t believe in manifestation but like others have said I believe having very detailed focus on a goal, and having the confidence/resilience to achieve it, can sometimes be a winning combination in terms of making things happen.

Wolfen · 22/10/2023 08:20

Maybe we should do an experiment and give it a go?
Let's try manifesting something and see if we get it?
I'm happy to try Smile
I'll report back one day to let you know if it worked or not.

Original poster
Thewal · 22/10/2023 08:31

Lochness1975 · 22/10/2023 08:17

I made a dream board, and succeed in 4 of things off my board- a job (I was on disability), a new home, a new car and getting engaged.

So how did you do it? Did you put those things on a board and look at them every day? And was it that you got a job and it led to the other 3?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thewal · 22/10/2023 08:39

Wolfen · 22/10/2023 08:20

Maybe we should do an experiment and give it a go?
Let's try manifesting something and see if we get it?
I'm happy to try Smile
I'll report back one day to let you know if it worked or not.

Ooh yes, I’ll do this! Although I have no idea how you do it and I’m so cynical it probably wouldn’t work for me even if it were real! What will you go for?

But what I don’t get is, if I manifest say, a new house plant, do I go out and buy one and that is the manifestation successful?

OP posts:
themothergoose · 22/10/2023 08:44

Lonesomefetter · 22/10/2023 00:28

Nah it's bollocks, do you think anyone who has terrible tragedy happen to them deserve it and brought it upon themselves? Because that's basically the end point of that idiotic line of thinking.

I am a bit lost. Why would you manifest a tragedy?

Mehmeh22 · 22/10/2023 08:49

I really wanted to get pregnant in July so I'd have a March baby and be able to be far enough along to announce it to people at my wedding. I was shocked when that happened.

Same for a May baby...but I wanted to have a boy. This also happened except it was a girl. But since she's grown up, she is a complete tomboy.

I was very lucky with both pregnancies and was very much had disappointment every month trying to get pregnant, but I ended up getting pregnant when I expected. I'm not sure if that was manifested but I was 100% sure it would happen.

LylaLee · 22/10/2023 08:51

themothergoose · 22/10/2023 08:44

I am a bit lost. Why would you manifest a tragedy?

Show quote history

The philosophy is that you draw things towards yourself like spiritual energy. Everything that happens is because you drew it towards yourself. And if you spend £9.99 on their book (or go on their retreat/online course...) they will teach you how to do it to get good things.

So that means other people have drawn tragedies towards themselves.

fruitstick · 22/10/2023 08:53

I find it really offensive.

Obviously if you focus on something or have a defined goal you are more likely to achieve it.

My child died from cancer. Do you think any of us manifested that? Do you think we didn't think or wish hard enough to keep him alive?

It's toxic bullshit wrapped up in positivity.

Mycatshandbag · 22/10/2023 08:54

I don't think there's anything magic or mystical in it. I think it's another word for focusing. In that respect I do think manifestation is a positive thing. But I believe it's you that makes it happen.

If you want something you are subconsciously, or consciously, looking out for that thing, probably talking about it to others and hyper focused on things relating to it.

If/when it happens it's because you made it your (and if you talk about it, others around you) focus and made decisions based on this, or it was a pure coincidence. I don't believe the universe made it happen because you 'manifested it'.

LylaLee · 22/10/2023 08:55

Mehmeh22 · 22/10/2023 08:49

I really wanted to get pregnant in July so I'd have a March baby and be able to be far enough along to announce it to people at my wedding. I was shocked when that happened.

Same for a May baby...but I wanted to have a boy. This also happened except it was a girl. But since she's grown up, she is a complete tomboy.

I was very lucky with both pregnancies and was very much had disappointment every month trying to get pregnant, but I ended up getting pregnant when I expected. I'm not sure if that was manifested but I was 100% sure it would happen.

You'd been having sex and got pregnant. That's standard. Yes, a minority struggle, but for most people it's fine. Had you been trying for over 12 months with no success?

>I manifested a boy and got a tomboy
Hmm

Missingmyusername · 22/10/2023 08:56

Binfire · 22/10/2023 00:08

I think you attract whatever you focus on, so if you’re thinking about new job opportunities you’re more likely to spot them whenever and wherever you find them but I don’t think you can just ask the universe for a pony.

I agree with this^
I also think being positive, no matter what life throws at you helps with your stat of mind.

Mehmeh22 · 22/10/2023 08:57

@fruitstick I'm sorry for your loss but I really do not think the OP is referring to tragedies....who would want to attract something like that? Who would think you did?

Pigeotto · 22/10/2023 08:57

I think we’re all in a computer simulation to be honest so if you can hack the code, go for it. Did use it was back in the day and won £300 on the lottery.

Actually now I’m saying that I watched a video the other day on it and didn’t have any money at the time, I’m talking like £75 in the bank to make it the end of the month type thing with a child and travel so thought I’d give it a bash loosely. Didn’t really think much of it just trusted I’d somehow get through the month any everything would work out. Anyway got a back payment of £700 a couple of days after watching a video and then a few days later an unexpected refund of another £200 so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Evaka · 22/10/2023 08:58

AffIt · 22/10/2023 00:32

I think it is, at best, a form of confirmation bias: if you 'manifest' a new job, for example, you will inevitably be looking at opportunities, expanding your network, talking about a new job etc, so it wouldn't be a massive surprise to anybody else that you end up with an actual new job.

If manifestation was real, then I'd want proof of somebody manifesting something like a shark with lasers on its head.

This is probably the smartest response on the Internet. I think I love you.

distinctpossibility · 22/10/2023 08:59

I don't think I can make what I'm trying to say make sense but I'll try.

I think the kind of people who believe in manifesting are generally open-minded, and usually quite privileged to start with. I can't imagine many disabled domestic violence survivors living in poverty with a history of CSA and five hungry children have the time to manifest, or the inclination to do so (given the previously mentioned "other side of the coin" being a bit victim blamey). So inherently the fact there are lower barriers to the concept of manifestation means there are lower barriers to succeeding full stop.

Also as PPs have said perhaps an element of prioritisation - manifesting a great relationship for example might involve going on several blind dates, being open with friends about looking for a partner and giving people a chance who don't "tick all my (preconceived) boxes".

Mycatshandbag · 22/10/2023 08:59

@fruitstick I'm sorry for your loss. I agree, to suggest manifestation has any baring on whether someone gets better or not is appalling. We would all wish our loved ones well if we could, but we can't. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss x

Mehmeh22 · 22/10/2023 09:00

Look I can't explain it. But what I said is fact. You can roll your eyes all you like. Infact, my daughter has said since she is 2 that she wants to be a boy and acts like one. I bet you're going to say I've forced that on her to fit my narrative. Sorry to disappoint, but I haven't.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 22/10/2023 09:03

No of course it doesn't work. It's utter bollocks peddled to gullible fools, like all woo stuff. If feeling that you're 'manifesting' something makes you more focussed on your goal and makes you do things to achieve it, then of course that might make the thing more likely to happen, but that will be as a result of your efforts and changed attitude, not because you've persuaded the universe to magically produce what you wanted!

tiglit · 22/10/2023 09:03

Wholeheartedly but not in a "woo" way, I think positive thinking is hugely powerful practically (I'm not saying it would cure cancer etc). Had a child young, could have been written off by many, but knew exactly what lifestyle I wanted, didn't assume for a second it wasn't mine to take, grabbed the opportunities as they arose and got to where I wanted. A mixture of hard work and good luck but I think knowing it was something I could and should have was a powerful tool.

LightDrizzle · 22/10/2023 09:04

No.

LadyEloise1 · 22/10/2023 09:04

@fruitstick my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your child.

I too think it's bullsh*t.
It would be lovely though if it worked.

LylaLee · 22/10/2023 09:06

Mehmeh22 · 22/10/2023 09:00

Look I can't explain it. But what I said is fact. You can roll your eyes all you like. Infact, my daughter has said since she is 2 that she wants to be a boy and acts like one. I bet you're going to say I've forced that on her to fit my narrative. Sorry to disappoint, but I haven't.

I just mean it's bonkers. "I wanted a boy, so the universe delivered me a girl who 'wants to be a boy'?"

What does that even mean? She likes playing rugby? She likes getting muddy? = wants to be a boy?