I listened to a podcast today on manifestation. I always likened manifestation to the ridiculous craze around “The Secret,” in the mid-2000’s. If you believe hard enough that good things will happen to you, they will. If you believe bad things will happen, they will. According to my last therapist, the popularity of this book and subsequent belief system sparked an epidemic of people terrified of their own thoughts. So, needless to say, I wasn’t buying it. I mean, I am already afraid of my own thoughts anyway, so I guess I just skipped to the end.

Anyway, what I listened to today essentially simplified manifestation to be a combination of quieting and maybe even ceasing the negative self-talk (of which I am an expert) and slowly forming alternate habits. Essentially, you need your subconscious to believe that you can achieve things which cannot happen while in a constant cycle of self-deprecation. You also cannot go from zero to one hundred, as so many of us attempt in vain. I will lose 15 pounds the week before my vacation. I will only eat natural unprocessed foods from now until forever, despite an affinity for potato chips and fast food. I will convince my 39 year old brain, with deeply ingrained grooves of self-doubt that I actually can achieve anything and then I will go achieve it, by next month, preferably. None of that works, because it’s overwhelming and unattainable and ends up perpetuating the same narrative that you are indeed a failure who can’t achieve what you set your mind to. Instead, the theory is that, as with anything, small steps are key. Practice saying one kind thing to yourself each day. Spend 5 minutes writing reasons for gratitude. Remind yourself that the negative self-talk isn’t actually the truth. I’m not entirely convinced that I have found the magic ticket to a content and peaceful life, but I feel less cynical and more optimistic, which is a marked improvement.