'I went on a manifesting course. Here's what I learned.'

There is an array of modern manifestation rhetoric out there. Articles which detail how to make vision boards, podcasts instructing you on how to visualise and tap into the feeling of your dream future, YouTube videos giving you journal prompts which should change your life. Combined it's confusing - what's actually supposed to work?

I am up for trying anything when it comes to the self-help or spiritual space. I've gone on whacky retreats, seen healers, read many books, followed online courses and forced myself up early each morning to write three pages in a diary, day after day. I've decorated my walls with mandalas and vision boards, tried many forms of meditation and looked at my reflection in the mirror as I've repeated back mantras to myself. I've done all of this in a bid for a better life, to varying degrees of success.

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Other than astrology, nothing has helped me along more than a course called To Be Magnetic, which originates from L.A. and teaches 'neural manifestation' (now scientifically proven). Through a series of online workshops and regular guided hypnoses, the theory TBM founder, Lacy Phillips, teaches is that if you rewire your brain at a base level, you'll increase your self-worth, thus you will attract the life you truly deserve and desire.

Sure, it sounds a bit bonkers, but again, I'm up for anything. After a disastrous break up, and general life implosion in 2021, I dove into this TBM work last year, only to see my life totally transform, and yes, to receive many 'manifestations.'

Now this kind of course wasn't just a series of sweet journal prompts or cutting up magazines to create a collage resembling my goals. No, it was hard work: it was me facing all I was at my foundations, every memory of trauma floating to the top of my consciousness, me being forced to figure out all the stories I had in my head which were running the show.

At times, it sent me down a short spiral of despair, thinking things like "sh*t, I can't believe I survived that," mixed with "who do I think I am? This is bloody ridiculous!" The course taught energetic patterns which were bound to come up, things like tests and triggers acting as necessary hurdles between us and our manifestations. Overall, the work focused on nurturing and integrating the 'inner child' and the 'shadow' - old Jungian concepts you might have come across in books or via a psychologist.

I 'did the work' almost every day for about nine months. It was a good time for me to knuckle down and figure myself out as I was single, living alone and working for myself, meaning I could slot the tasks into my schedule pretty easily. It wasn't all just listening to pre-recorded videos either, the course encouraged us to take action, to 'expand' ourselves and our surroundings, and for us to get rid of what wasn't working (in my case a few heart breaking friendship break ups were required). I also did this work alongside other things such as deep-diving into astrology, getting all kinds of other charts read and occasionally seeing a (brilliant) life coach. I also worked on an overall overhaul, working through seemingly simpler tasks such as getting rid of tired old clothes and updating my look.

Some major things I subsequently manifested were:

• A long work trip to Italy which included a writers residency in Sardinia (that then turned into eight months of spontaneous travel).
• Amazing press coverage as I launched my vintage fashion podcast.
• A random bunch of free designer handbags. (!)
• An amazing boyfriend (who I'll add looks like Oscar Isaac - something I specifically asked the universe for).
• And, my main goal: a book deal!

That's along with all kinds of other 'mini-manifestations' in the form of smaller freebies, new professional connections, better friendships, and more overall happiness. One could argue all of this was on its way to me anyway - for example my boyfriend didn't just appear, I was sort of searching on Hinge whilst also making space for serendipity, and the book deal happened after a lot of hard work and rejection. But still, two of my greatest dreams quickly became a reality, I think thanks to this work.

Listen to Fill My Cup where Allira is going to walk you through exactly how you can manifest career, money and even, love. Post continues after audio.

Not to mention all kinds of other magic started happening to me: for example one day I was fretting about my finances. To distract myself I cleaned out my handbag (which I'd bought secondhand) and in filtering through all the pockets I found a pair of diamond earrings floating about - I like to think as a little message from something greater that the cash was coming!

By the way, my life is still far from perfect. I still have many downs and have to make daily compromises. I also haven't reached all of my goals yet and am constantly striving for whatever's next. But I do feel like a new version of me; a more sincere, more authentic version of myself who's closer to my core and no longer cares as much about adhering to societal norms or peer pressure.

Overall, how you feel is what's most important. Other thought leaders and wellness gurus such as The Power of Now author Eckhart Tolle, YouTuber Jillz Guerin and Spirit Daughter's Jill Wintersteen preach a variation of "you need to feel it to believe it and make it be." Quite right too -   we all know someone who's obsessed with self-help yet is utterly miserable and never seems to make any progress.

Which brings me to my last point. When you're on a path of self-development sometimes life can get a little serious. As much as I believe in working on yourself I also believe in leaning into everyday joy and pleasure. Whether you're psychologically unblocked or not, actively manifesting or otherwise, if you're not actually happy in your life then what's the point? So take this all with a grain of salt, smile, and when you have the time try to work out some of your underlying issues. A pair of free diamond earrings or a hot new boyfriend may well be on the horizon.

Follow Charlotte Dallison on Instagram @charlottedallison.

Feature Image: Supplied.

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