XOMU: How to manifest (in a way that isn’t harmful)
Unpacking the privilege and gaslighting in many manifestation practices
While scrolling TikTok one day in mid-September, I came across a video stating there would be a new moon in Libra on September 25th. Though I didn’t know what that meant, I followed that video down the woo rabbit-hole, and everyone in astrology was telling me to manifest. Apparently, the stars were aligning for some powerful manifestation energy on that specific date, and if there was something I wanted to speak into the universe, this was my chance. Given I had a new book coming out in just a few weeks, I said with shrug-emoji energy, “What the hell.”
The process
I’m familiar with manifestation practices, and though there are a lot of ways to manifest, I decided to stay on-brand and write. The method I chose was simple—pen a journal entry as if you’re living in the future, and currently experiencing all of the things you want to come to pass. Really get into it— share the very specific things that have happened to you, how are you feeling now that this dream has come true, and what is happening around you in celebration—and do it all in the present tense, as if you’re already living it.
If you’re an XOMU subscriber, you know I’m no stranger to these kinds of techniques, whether it’s tapping into Parallel Timeline Melissa or using my crystals to set an intention for the day, but this was the first time I’d used journaling to “manifest.” Here’s what my entry looked like, written before bed on September 24 and revisited a few times on September 25, the day of the new moon:
“October 18, 2022: The Book of Boundaries has been out for a week to rave reviews, and all of my book tour events have been well attended. I get a text in the afternoon from Whitney (my editor)—The Book of Boundaries made the New York Times list at #5! We’re both so excited and thrilled, and I run to tell my husband to celebrate. It feels so good to know that the book is helping so many people, and on top of that, I physically feel better than I have for a long time. I’m totally prepared to continue the tour with boundless energy and get Boundaries into even more people’s hands!”