Do you ever find yourself struggling to reach your goals or just feeling stuck in life? Have you heard of the power of affirmations and manifestation but can’t quite believe they work?

Don’t worry – you are not alone!

Are affirmations and manifestations simply wishful thinking, or is there a way for us to actually use them as tools to bring our aspirations into existence?

Here we'll take a closer look into whether affirmations and manifestations really have the power to shape our lives.

What are affirmations and manifestations, and how do they work?

Affirmations are positive statements you make to yourself to feel more confident and believe in your abilities. They're typically used to shift mindsets and achieve goals, but they’re not a guarantee for success or healing.

Manifestations are a way of harnessing the power of your thoughts and intentions to bring about desired results.

Affirmations can be incredibly powerful things. 

They are stated in the positive and have the potential to replace negative or stressful thoughts with positive ones. By repeating affirmations, we start to believe them and see real evidence of their truth around us. When you begin to believe your affirmations, it changes your outlook on life, giving you more peace and serenity. It also has the power to change your behavior as you become the person that reflects what is being affirmed. Affirmations can take time to work but are worth implementing in your life if you have the patience and dedication to focus on them daily.

"Manifest it" and "speak it into existence" are phrases often heard in the self-help and wellness community. This is because manifestation also involves speaking positive affirmations out loud, believing that you can make something happen by channeling your thoughts and feelings into it.

Manifestations work by harnessing the power of positive thinking and energy. By focusing on a desired outcome and putting out positive energy into the universe, an individual can often find that their desire is eventually fulfilled in some form or another. 

The power of manifestation lies in its ability to guide us toward a greater understanding of our intentions and how to best reach them. Regular visualization practice helps hone this skill, as does regularly reflecting on what we're grateful for. With practice and dedication, modern-day manifestations can be extremely powerful tools for reaching your goals.

Manifestations and affirmations can help boost confidence and motivation, but putting in some work yourself is still important. These are steps toward change, but they will only work if you take some action.

What role does The Law of Attraction play?

There is often confusion about the Law of Attraction and manifestation.  The Law of Attraction is a fundamental belief that the power of our thoughts and emotions can draw in desirable life occurrences, connections, and people. According to this principle, if we focus on positive or negative ideas, similar events will follow us throughout our lives.

Manifestation, on the other hand, is actively using affirmations and visualizations to create the desired outcome. It relies on the Law of Attraction to bring about the desired result.

To channel the Law of Attraction and manifestation, you must create an environment where positivity and hope can thrive.

Tips for Putting the Law of Attraction Into Action

In order to put the Law of Attraction into action, it helps to keep the following in mind:

Visualize your desired outcome: Take some time to close your eyes, slowly relax and visualize the desired outcome you want to attract into reality. Picture it as if it has already happened.

Be specific: Know exactly what you want to manifest and use specific language when talking about it.

Be consistent: Make affirmations and manifestations a part of your daily routine. It's important to practice regularly to make sure the process is effective.

Practice gratitude: Gratitude is essential for manifesting abundance in our lives. Make a habit of being thankful for all you have now and acknowledge any successes, no matter how small they may appear.

Take action: Manifestation isn’t just about thinking positive thoughts but also taking inspired action steps which will bring you closer to achieving your goals and desires.

Trust and believe: For the Law of Attraction to work effectively, It's crucial to believe in yourself and your abilities when using affirmations and manifestations. If you don't honestly believe, nothing will come of it. While affirmations and manifestations can be powerful tools for achieving goals, it's still important to trust the process and remain open-minded about how it will unfold.

How to combat negative thinking 

Dealing with negative thinking is a natural part of life, but when it comes to manifesting abundance through the Law of Attraction, it’s important to remember that what we focus our attention on grows. When negative thoughts arise, take a deep breath and refocus your mind on positive ones. Take it one step further by writing down the thought or feeling and then replacing it with an affirmation or mantra that you can use to help transform the negative energy into something helpful. Keeping a gratitude journal can also be useful for shifting your mindset from scarcity to abundance.

Therapy can be an effective way to address negative thinking and boost self-esteem. Through active listening, your therapist can help process underlying issues that lead to negative thought patterns. Self-reflection and exploring inner motivations are beneficial for gaining insight into one's relationship with themselves, others, and the world around them. 

It's important to take your mental health seriously. Remember that low self-esteem and other negative thoughts are often associated with certain mental health concerns. A therapist can support exploring potential causes of these unwanted thoughts and work together on useful coping strategies, such as affirmations. With the right guidance and tools, it is possible to build resilience and overcome negative thinking.

Paper Cranes Counseling can assist with gaining the self-knowledge and confidence needed to manifest abundance into your life. Through our integrative counseling services, we can help you find practical solutions that work for you.

Let us help you overcome negative thinking and embark on a journey of discovery and personal growth. Contact us for a free consultation.

Shavonne James, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Therapist and founder of Paper Cranes Counseling, a private group practice connecting wellness seekers with culturally-affirming, holistic, care. They have openings for individuals that are working through matters of identity, interpersonal relationships, and the inner child. Contact them at www.papercranescounseling.com