I’m starting to think that manifesting is some sort of pyramid scheme.
Everyone around me is involved, in some way.
People on social media will flash their vision board and gasp:
See! I manifested falling in love and it came true.
I know nothing about manifesting but Google does. In January, I asked how to be one of those people who think it, believe it, and be it.
Welcome to the Monday Pick-Me-Up. I’m not very good at manifesting and I almost paid $999 to learn why.
Ps. If you know anyone who would get excited reading these Monday emails, could you share this with them?
I know nothing about manifesting but Google does. In January, I asked how to be one of those people who think it, believe it, and be it.
I commit to doing this for an entire month.
I’m a manifestor! I tell everyone who talks to me.
Doing that feels like paying my dues. I’m officially in this club.
By January 15th, I’m so deep into it, I desperately try to recruit my bestie to come along with me.
I ask what she’s manifesting, and when she tells me absolutely nothing, I make it clear to her that she has the potential to believe big things into her life.
Yeah, like what? She questions me mid-monologue.
Like anything! I beg her and then tell her all of mine.
The things I tell her are not things I have told very many people. I feel like she just saw me naked. I don’t like this. But it’s too late.
She laughs and asks: Has any of this come true?
Of course not.
I am close! I lie. So close.
On January 27th, one of the things I want so badly slips through my hands. I’m so close to getting it because I freaking manifested it, but it’s gone.
I look at myself in the mirror. Stretch my cheeks. Pull my ear.
Jen, come on. You must be doing something wrong.
I listen to an entire podcast about manifesting. I buy a book.
I ask Google if it’s my fault. Google says yes. Of course Google says yes.
I start to wonder if manifestors feel like giant losers most of the time, because here I am, and I do.
I wish there was a 1-800 number I could call to speak to a manifesting expert. But I searched. There’s not.
Those experts live on Instagram now. I find one and read all of her posts. Each one has a silly little way of jabbing me. Each one tells me that if a manifestation doesn’t come true it’s because there’s so much wrong with my life and my actions. Her bold colored graphics scream: The reason things aren’t happening for you is because you are broken.
And to fix my brokenness, I should pay $999 for her course on manifesting.
I pull out my credit card.
I start typing in the expiration date.
I see my reflection bounce off the screen.
What am I doing? What the heck am I doing?
I take a step back.
Do I believe in this manifestation stuff? Yes, I think so.
Do I think some of this stuff isn’t coming true is because I am broken? No, not really.
Do I think some of this stuff isn’t happening because I expect it to happen in 30-days, or less, and a part of me isn’t taking the right actions because I have imposter syndrome, and another part of me isn’t 100% sure I want these things? Yes, absolutely.
I don’t think I need a manifestation coach. A therapist, maybe. Another visit with a tarot card reader even sounds good.
I bet I just need more time with my own thoughts and to tell more people about them too. Maybe I just need you.
⚡Instant Pick Me Ups:
📚: I spent the weekend listening to this book because I wanted to know what the hype was all about. Breathtaking. I can’t stop thinking about it, honestly.
🎵: Such a fun song that I really enjoy playing.
👟: Shocked at how comfy and cool these shoes are. I’ve worn them in the rain and snow too and they keep my feet super warm.
👚:I bought this matching blazer and pant set from Old Navy and it fit quite well. Plus, it’s quite inexpensive. I’ve worn the items separetly too. I paired the blazer with a dress. I wore the pants with a simple white t-shirt.
💬: Lately, the thing that i’ve been telling myself is, ‘maybe your life isn’t going to be what you thought it was going to be — maybe it’s going to be so much better.” - Kaia Gerber
💻: One way I stay calm, confident, and cool (both body temperature wise and personality wise) on Zoom calls is to have an object near the screen that’s so completely random and odd. Nobody else can see it but me. I put a teddy bear there and yesterday a big bag of chocolate. Whenever I’m feeling nervous or feel the imposter syndrome hack my heart, I look at that object and it makes me smile.
😮 Progress Report:
On paper, it looks like I had a really amazing week. A big article went live about me in The Hustle and I launched a really popular vow writing tool. But behind the scenes, It was quite crummy. I kept looking at my phone and people were sending me the sweetest messages about the article and tool. All I wanted to do was reply back that I was struggling. I’m not very good at admitting that though. Even to people I love. I know people are burdened with their own blues. They don’t need to accessorize their lives with mine. I’m one of those silently struggling people. But I am trying not to be like that anymore. I am slowly changing. I am starting by being honest when someone, anyone, asks me how I am. Instead of saying: everything is great. I’ll ease into the truth: everything is sort of weird right now. Can I share one thing with you?
I don’t think having a capsule wardrobe is for me, right now, but I do think having a few go-to outfits in my closet is something I want to work on. For example, I want to have one outfit I can always toss on if I get invited to a party, dinner, or event. I want one outfit I can always turn to for an important Zoom call. Etc. It would save me so much time just knowing my closet has a “party” outfit, an “important call” outfit, a “brunch outfit” ready to go. Working on this!
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Thanks for a thought-provoking piece. It made me realise I am equal parts cynical and optimistic about manifesting.
The good: I think outlining your goals + getting very specific and vocal about them really does help them to happen. Maybe from the universe, maybe from you alone, maybe a bit of both!
The not-so-good: I think 'manifesting' often overlooks the privilege of the manifestee (?), and can be very predatory (see: $999 course. I feel like I might pay money for a 'goal-setting course' versus manifesting, I guess it just depends on the target audience for something).
Enjoyed reading this so much because I'm probably like your bestie when it comes to this manifesting thing 😅