Inspiration or excuse: Does the power of manifestation actually make people thrive?

Manifesting has become a buzzword for many people striving to make their dreams come true. It can come in various shapes and sizes, and be attributed to anything from work, to relationships, and personal transformations. In essence, it’s the ‘art’ of thinking something so much that it becomes a reality.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, to manifest is to “show something clearly, especially a feeling, an attitude or a quality.” However, the type of manifestation that we’re talking about appears to have taken on a whole new meaning.

Over the last few years, the popularity of this trend has grown immensely. Many Tiktokkers swear by it, Oprah has written her very own guide about it and even some psychologists have spoken about how manifesting can contribute to a positive mind shift. As a result of manifestation being attributed to positive growth, it’s also touted as a strategy for success and championed particularly among spiritual circles as a vital tool for a happy life. But is it?

When it comes to manifesting, it appears there’s no middle ground. You’re either a staunch advocate or an even bigger cynic. So let’s try and get to the bottom of this popular trend.

The history behind manifesting

The act of manifesting has been mentioned in some parts of history that go way back beyond our time. Known as ‘theophany,’ there have been mentions in Greek mythology as well as in Eastern religious works about the belief that Gods and deities could manifest in real life and interact with the human world. While it’s pretty cool to imagine that maybe we’re all Gods because of our manifestation powers, that appears to miss the mark on what we’re trying to understand.

Fast forward to the 19th Century and we get a more recognizable notion of manifesting through the ‘law of attraction’. Forming part of the New Thought movement, philosophers like Ralph Waldo Emerson argued that positive thinking would help to attract more positivity. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen,” Emerson is quoted as saying.

We’ve probably all heard of the ‘law of attraction’ but it didn’t go mainstream until the 2000s when new age philosophy kicked into gear. A 2006 book called The Secret pulled the trigger on manifestation’s popularity. Written by Rhonda Byrne, it served as a self-help guide that supported readers as they discovered the law of attraction. In a testament to the pull of such philosophies, the book became an instant best-seller as readers around the world flocked to learn more about how to manifest happiness into their lives.

The law of attraction was so popular that it even led to a small scientific study from 2018 that found subjects who learned the tenets of the law of attraction developed a “robustly higher lever of gratitude and happiness.” It’s worth pointing out that this doesn’t prove the subjects were manifesting physical things in their lives. Instead, they found more emotional connections through happiness and gratitude.

We slowly start to see manifestation emerge as a popular psychological tool in the early noughties. However, I found very few scientific studies about whether manifesting, tangibly, works. At the same time, there was more research about the number of people giving this strategy a go. For example, one survey found that 60% of Brits believed that they could speak their goals into existence. Another by the National Science Foundation found that 25% of respondents found success in using the law of attraction.

Oh, and here’s another interesting fact: the law of attraction book market is estimated to be worth around $776 million.

What are you looking for? Tomato soup.

I promise you I’m not a cynic. However, I just want to make sure you have all the facts before diving into your manifestation journey. What has emerged from my exploration of this subject is that it’s a deeply personal process. And, for some people, it really works for their lives. Take Oprah, for instance, who wrote about her first-ever manifestation experience:

It was a rainy day and I was thinking, "Gee, I sure would like some tomato soup." Soon after, the caretaker who lived across the street came in with a pot of tomato soup. I asked her: “What made you do that?" She said: "Well, honey, I had these tomatoes. So I thought maybe you'd like some tomato soup.” So I was like, Wow if you can get tomato soup like that, what else is possible? What else can I manifest? So I started trying it with other things. I have seen it happen over and over and over again. You control a lot by your thoughts.

This simple step toward manifestation has transformed Oprah’s perspective of the world, and what is possible within it. When used correctly, it seems that manifestation can bring comfort, happiness, confidence, and a wealth of other positive traits. That’s because thinking positive thoughts can shape the way we behave and respond to our surroundings. This can help us on the path toward whatever we’re manifesting. But remember, this is not scientifically proven.

For those that want to explore manifestation, there are some easy places to start. For instance, you could consider making a vision board, writing down your manifestations, or simply voicing your manifestations out loud. For those looking to explore manifestation, there’s also a wealth of literature and videos that guide anyone wanting a helping hand. Again, this part of the process is yours to explore.

the verdict

So I have an admission: I live and breathe the notion of “fake it till you make it.” I’ve just realized that is also probably a subconscious form of manifestation. I became a journalist after telling people that I was a journalist. I’ve traveled the world for six years because I keep telling people that I’m never returning home (sorry Mum). And, I’ve longed for long hair — but that manifestation isn’t happening anytime soon.

I think manifestation, whether it’s ‘real’ or not, has the potential to make people thrive. However, goals must be carefully thought out and the process must be taken with a pinch of salt. If you’re trying to manifest a fancy car vs. inner happiness and confidence, which do you think is more likely to become a reality?