Manifesting is one of the most prevalent wellness buzzwords, but what does it mean, and does it actually work?
With more of us taking our self-care and wellbeing cues from Instagram and TikTok, for better or for worse, manifesting has become one of the more popular practices out there, and it's no wonder: the practice is an ancient and arguably in-built one for many cultures, and can have extremely positive benefits.
But why does it work? Neuroscientist Brian Pennie joined Jennifer Zamparelli on 2fm in studio to discuss.
"Traditionally, what they say manifesting is, is it's through the power of belief and thinking that you can bring tangible things into your life", Pennie says. "But I think that really leaves out a huge aspect of what you have to do if you want to get really good stuff to come into your life."
Manifesting is more than just visualising a new car, new job or new fling, Pennie adds. To do it properly and in a way that will have a lasting effect, you need to be willing to go deep into some of the more challenging parts of yourself.
"What you really need to do is get to the core of what's really stopping you changing your energy and bringing those good things into your life, and then taking actions that align with where you want to go in life and what you want, because it's hard to know what you want if you don't deal with those underlying subconscious issues."
This echoes in the other name for manifesting, which is often called "scripting" on TikTok.
"I've heard that as well, I wonder does that come from the idea of affirmations", Pennie adds. "It's all about beliefs and limiting beliefs are something that holds you back. And what is a belief, but a story that you tell yourself, so if you tell yourself stories that you can do it, I think that's where the 'scripting' idea comes from."
But don't go thinking that forcing positive thoughts is enough to counter every other thought or belief you have: "If you're full of jealousy, anger, resentment then you're walking around telling yourself great things and great people are going to come into your life, that doesn't really work. There's a lot more to it."
The best way to explain this, Pennie says, is to think of a house, a metaphor he's borrowed from friend and collaborator Danielle Moyles.
"Anyone who's been successful in life in any way, be it financial success, relationship success, they've manifested it – whatever word you want to put on that – but you need to get your foundations right", he says. "These are the unconscious beliefs, the beliefs you have, the emotions you have, how you go about in the world, the energy that you have.
"Then you need to have the walls, which is your value system to find out what you value and where you want to go in life. What you put into your house are the tools and the tactics and the stuff that you want. If you don't get the foundations right, the house is going to crumble."
So how should you start if you want to explore manifesting? Questions, Pennie says, are a good starting point. He says begin looking at the stories you're telling yourself – "I'm not good enough, I can't cope, I'm stupid" – and whether you're "looking outside of yourself and you have this sense of lack".
"Challenge yourself. Challenge your beliefs."
He adds that his own belief when he was in addiction was "I can't cope with life", and he would gently push back on that belief, thinking of times he did cope.
Manifesting has surged in popularity in recent months, and Pennie believes this is down to it offering a "false sense of hope".
"I compare it to the lottery. I'd say people doing the lottery has gone up as well, and when people are really struggling... it gives you the sense of hope, a somewhat false sense of hope. If manifesting and what people believe it is, that you can just think and wish a great relationship into your life ... it's an easy way out to think that.
"When you're really struggling, people don't want to do the work and dig deep into that."
That's why he and Daniella are partnering on a course that will delve into the science behind manifesting and how it can help you, which launched this week. There are three phases to the course, with the first one getting "under the bonnet" and helping people find their limiting beliefs.
It'll also offer "practical tools to help people align with their core selves and what they value" and cover the neuroscience of it too, of empathy, gratitude and visualisation.
But the key to manifesting, he says? It's action, because it's all well and good to be visualising that big house, but if you never start saving or apply for that mortgage, how can you get there?
"You've got to be taking action, but the right action based on your values after you unblock those unconscious problems that are holding you back."
Listen back to Jen's full chat with Pennie here.
