During the pandemic, manifesting became a viral trend, especially with the 3-6-9 method. A TikTok with over a million views explains it as writing down your goal three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon, and nine times at night, repeating until it happens. Today, content creators share endless ways to “speak your dreams into reality.”

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This idea isn’t new, it stems from the self-help movement, with early books like Think and Grow Rich (1937). Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret popularized it further in 2006, claiming “Your life is a reflection of your thoughts.“

If manifesting could pay bills, we’d all be on a balcony in Paris, drinking champagne, and living our best lives by now. But let’s face it—while manifesting culture has us saying affirmations in the mirror and making vision boards, it might just be more smoke and mirrors than the real deal. 

The Illusion of Control

Manifesting culture has taken over social media, promising that if you think hard enough and visualize what you want, it will become reality. Life is too unpredictable for such a belief. While positive thinking is powerful, it doesn’t give you control over everything. Believing you can manifest your way to success ignores the role of privilege, opportunity, and sheer luck. Life isn’t some divine vending machine where you input a positive thought and out pops your dream house.

As the bible hinted, “Faith without action is a dead end.” So, no matter how much you try to manifest, you can’t escape the fact that some things are beyond your control. Part of the thrill of life is not knowing what’s around the corner.

The Pressure to Be Positive All the Time

Manifesting culture loves to sell the idea that you must be in a constant state of sunshine and rainbows. This relentless pressure to be positive can turn toxic faster than you can say “The Emperor, the Conqueror, the Champion, the Lion is here.“

In reality, nobody is positive all the time, nor should they be. Life has its ups and downs, and feeling sad, angry, or frustrated is part of the human experience. Imagine telling someone to smile through a heartbreak just because they need to manifest a happier relationship. It’s unrealistic and dismissive. Sometimes, you just need to cry, eat ice cream, and binge-watch your comfort show. At the end of the day, it is perfectly fine.

Blaming Yourself for Things Out of Your Control

In my opinion manifesting culture has a sneaky way of turning things around on you. Didn’t get that job you’ve been dreaming of? Your bad—you must not have manifested hard enough. Got ghosted by someone you really liked? Oops, guess you attracted that negative energy!

This mindset is not just unhelpful; it’s downright harmful. When manifesting fails, it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-blame, thinking you didn’t “believe” enough. Sometimes, things don’t work out, and it’s not because of your lack of the skills to manifest.

Ignoring Real-World Actions

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: manifesting without action is like hoping for a six-pack while eating five wraps of fufu at 11pm with no gym  subscription. Sure, a vision board can be inspiring, and positive affirmations feel nice, but they’re not a substitute for actually doing the work.

Roxie Nafousi, in her book Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life, nails it when she states, “The most important thing to remember about manifesting is that it requires consistent action. You can’t just sit back and expect things to happen. You have to work towards your goals with determination and perseverance.”

Manifesting culture often puts so much emphasis on thoughts and feelings that it forgets about the nitty-gritty of getting things done. You can manifest all you want, but if you’re not putting in the effort, you’re just daydreaming. Real success comes from a mix of hard work, and discipline.

The Commodification of Manifestation

Finally, there’s the commercialization of manifesting culture. It’s become a trend, with influencers selling expensive courses, journals, and crystals, claiming they’ll help you manifest your dreams. This commodification turns a deeply personal process into something to be bought and sold, which can feel inauthentic and exploitative.True manifesting is free. It doesn’t require a fifty thousand naira journal or a thirty thousand naira crystal to work.

While there’s nothing wrong with setting intentions and thinking positively, it’s important to stay grounded in reality. Balance is key. Acknowledge your emotions, take actionable steps toward your goals, and remember that not everything is within your control. Manifesting can be a tool, but it’s not a magic wand.