Learning how to use the law of attraction changed my entire life 7 years ago. Before that point, I believed that negative events just happened to me and that I had no control over my own experience.
In this article, I'm going to share my understanding of the law of attraction and how it has worked absolute miracles in my own life, and how it can for you too.
What is the law of attraction
The law of attraction is a concept that most religions and spiritualists teach. You don't need to understand it or even believe in it; it's always working in your life regardless.
It is the universal law that like attracts like. You're attracting to you the essence of what you're putting out by way of your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.
So even if you aren't aware of the law of attraction, you're always thinking and feeling and therefore creating your reality (one that is uniquely your own). Whether you're thinking negative thoughts or positive thoughts, the law of attraction is at work, matching you with your dominant feelings.
Once you do know about this powerful tool in your tool belt, you can begin to think and feel differently on purpose so that you bring whatever reality you want into your experience. This is where it gets really fun!
"Imagination is everything; it is the preview of life's coming attractions." Albert Einstein
I'm going share the basic steps of applying the law of attraction in order to manifest anything you want (anything you truly believe is possible).
How the law of attraction works
In recent years, awareness of the history of the law of attraction has come back to the forefront due to the release of the film "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. The documentary aimed to teach the basics of applying the law attraction for beginners, and its popularity only increased after Oprah herself said it's what she's applied for most of her life.
As much as I've learned and practiced the law of attraction over the past decade, the basics are always what I come back to. They are the foundation for creating your the life of your dreams. There is nothing fancy about any of this, but the results are miraculous.
You have nothing to lose by trying it out, and everything to gain. Here are the four basic, fundamental steps in applying the law of attraction.
1. Decide on what you want
A clear vision of your dream life is a powerful attractor. When you're first starting out, this could be a tough question to answer. Spend a few days thinking about it if you need to. Mainly you want to think about how it is you want to feel.
I personally like the feeling of freedom, and when I conjure that feeling I imagine financial abundance, work that I enjoy, being able to dictate how I spend my days, etc.
Also thinking about what you currently don't want can give you an idea for what you do want. Sometimes when I'm in a rut, I do exactly that: write down everything I'm not liking and underneath it I write how I would like that situation to be. Do the same with feelings: write all the ways you currently feel that you don't like, and then write how you want to begin feeling.
What's something you've always wanted, something you've always seen yourself doing, something you could talk about for hours? What gets you excited?
What does your IDEAL life look like? If money wasn't a factor, what enjoyable work/calling would you be doing? Where would you be living? Who would you be with?
Tips:
- make sure it's something you actually want, not something you think you should want
- you don't need a reason for wanting it; just you simply wanting it is reason enough for you to have it or experience it
- the excitement you feel when you think about it is a clue that it's something your true self desires and that you're meant to manifest it.
"You are a living magnet. What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts." Brian Tracy
After you have written down a few things you want to manifest, write down next to them how you will feel after each one has materialized. This is important because you want to recall this feeling every time you think about your dream. Emotions speed up manifestation.
2. Feel it into being
Visualization is a bit of a misnomer. Some of us can easily see pictures in our mind and others cannot. Luckily, this isn't what's required in visualization. It's much more of a feeling-based activity.
Visualizing is extremely powerful. Using your mind to see and feel a future outcome is literally inviting the essence of that thing into your experience. Again, seeing is not where the power lies, but in the feeling. If your desire is to own a certain kind of home, for example, feeling how you would feel if you had it is what visualization is.
Here's what I do: every night before I fall asleep, I spend a few minutes envisioning only the end result of what I want to manifest. If I want success with my business, I visualize sale notifications coming up on my phone, new email pitches coming in, or lots of reader feedback in the comment section. I picture myself excitedly calling my husband and telling him my good news. I feel the excitement and gratitude of all those things happening.
When you do this before falling asleep, you're imprinting this image onto your subconscious mind, basically retraining what it perceives as your reality. Once your subconscious mind perceives an image you're thinking to be your reality (and it doesn't take long) you will literally begin to experience your reality shifting.
Some tips when visualizing: don't try to figure out how it's going to happen; just see clearly in your mind having or doing whatever it is you want to experience. Let yourself really go with the "fantasy", let yourself FEEL the emotions you would be having.
Feel how you would feel if it manifested right now. Would you feel ecstatic? Amazed? Free? Abundant? Accomplished? Successful? Feel that feeling right now and make it a priority to conjure that feeling at least once a day.
"Never mind what-is. Imagine it the way you want it to be so that your vibration is a match to your desire. When your vibration is a match to your desire, all things in your experience will gravitate to meet that match every time." Abraham Hicks
In my law of attraction worksheet bundle, there's a Visualization journal sheet that you can fill out for each intention you want to manifest and then read over every night. This helps me because I am quickly reminded of how I will feel and it helps me stay focused on the end result, rather than how it's going to come about.
Your ego will definitely try to start figuring out how it could happen and if it can't see a way, it will either believe it's impossible or that it would be a ton of work. Ignore your well-meaning but reality-based ego.
When you're visualizing, you're literally pulling the dream out of the ethers and into your physical reality. The Universe/your subconscious mind really doesn't care if what you're envisioning is "real" or not, it's just responding to the images and emotions you're putting out.
And if you're vibrating a really awesome job that you just absolutely love even while going to a job you don't really like in the meantime, it is law that you will receive the reality that you're vibrating.
Like the law of gravity, the law of attraction works no matter what and it's not biased. It will also keep sending you the reality of a crappy job if that's what you continually dwell on day in and day out.
So start using your imagination in your favor and dwell on things you actually want while feeling good about them.
3. Believe it's on the way
Replace "I'll believe it when I see it" with "I'll see it when I believe it."
Most of us believe only what's in front of us to be reality, when really everything is energy and everything changes in accordance to the way we feel and perceive our realities to be, and it can change quickly.
In order to bring your intention into what we know as reality, believe that it's already waiting for you. The Universe will then begin arranging people and circumstances to bring it to you. Don't think of it as being in the future, but just simply know that it's already yours and it's on the way.
When I was wanting to believe that money was on it's way to me, I wrote money affirmations down on index cards and taped them on my bathroom mirror, our fridge, and other random places that I look at every single day. It felt silly at first and my conscious mind kept saying "Um no, money is NOT on the way, your husband just lost his job and you make zero dollars a month, so please, stop kidding yourself."
But once you see a message enough times, it starts to feel "real". You're reprogramming your subconscious mind to accept it and it DOES start to accept it as your reality.
You have feel and believe that it's yours, and rest in that place of expectation that the Universe is taking care of it for you.
"Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Even if you get sucked into current reality, don't beat yourself up over it. If you're visualizing once a day and getting into the feeling place of it, it will manifest eventually. I say this because too many people worrying about their negative thinking, which is normal.
Your moments of affirmative thought and optimism during your visualization practice send out those energy vibrations in a powerful way.
4. Practice appreciation daily
Abraham Hicks frequently states that if appreciation was the only thing we practiced, it would be enough to create an extraordinary life.
I practice appreciation during my visualization practice. I started out by thinking of 10 things from my day or from my life in general that I was so grateful for.
When I first began practicing the law of attraction, I was using food stamps in order to afford groceries, which ordinarily only caused me to feel shame when I thought about them. So when I would think of my 10 things I was grateful for once a day, I remember being brought to tears feeling so full of appreciation for the food stamps I had access to. I was so grateful for the food in my fridge.
There are so many things to feel appreciative for, the basics being running water, our beds, and a roof over our heads. We can even think back to when we were children and all the things that were done for us. Someone changed your diapers, fed you, and provided shelter for you. Even if you had a crappy day, you can feel appreciation for things that happened in the past (extra point for feeling appreciation for things that haven't manifested yet).
You can also think of things that happened throughout your day that you loved. Was your coffee delicious? What the weather beautiful? Did you feel love for someone? Were you given something? Did you enjoy a moment of revelation, silence, beauty, joy?
There are endless things to be grateful for, and when you get into the habit of having an attitude of gratitude, you come into alignment with who you really are. And that's powerful stuff.
How to use the law of attraction for specific desires
Sometimes we're wanting to move in specific directions in our lives, and we want to clean up our focus and attention around whatever it is that's occupying our mind.
We can speed up certain manifestations when we focus on them in a positive way. It's important to remember though that we don't need to over-focus. A few minutes a day is all that's needed.
Here's my tips for using the law of attraction for specific desires.
1. Improving your well-being
Whether you want to improve your mental health or physical health, you can do so using the power of attraction. All that's needed is to vibrate the state you want to occupy.
When you're mapping out what you want to manifest, get clear on exactly how you want to feel. If you're wanting to attract a more pain-free body, what emotions would you feel right now if a genie came and granted that wish? Would you feel relief, freedom, or perhaps joy?
If it's your mental health you're wanting to improve, what's the mental state you'd like to be in most of the time? How would you feel and behave in that desired mental state?
For a few minutes a day, if you can step into your desired state of being and feel how it would feel, you will begin shifting to a new reality where that state is your dominant way of being.
Our consciousness is like a flashlight, and whatever we shine it on becomes animated. Shine your light on the picture that you want animated. A healthy, vibrant body? A joyous and surrendered mentality? It's yours when you are ready for it.
2. Manifesting a loving relationship
Lots of people ask about finding love using the law of attraction or how to improve their current relationships. I've had a lot of fun manifesting in this area with lots of trial and error!
Two things I've come to realize:
- I've got to give myself what I wish to receive from others
- I can feel that loving relationship without having it
I've been married for nearly 20 years, and it has been one long lesson in self-love. Long because it's been hard to detach myself from societal conditioning that my significant other is responsible for how I want to feel.
Whether you are single or in a relationship, you absolutely must get clear on how you want to feel and what you find deliciously romantic.
Then, when you are doing your visualization practice, you bring forth these emotions and swim in them like they're an ocean all around you.
Let yourself fantasize without feeling bad that you don't currently have it, which is what most people do. They think about what they want and then turn right around and think "But I'm too old already" or "My partner doesn't love me like that" or "My partner would never be like that".
You are your true love, and you manifest love by loving and giving to yourself what you want before anyone else does. Let this be a fun game and watch what starts to show up in your reality.
3. Attracting financial abundance
Manifesting money and abundance can be daunting for a lot of people because of how much we've been taught that these things are somehow inherently bad. Only the greedy want money, right? Nevermind that we all have bills to pay and would like to enjoy life rather than slave away for pennies in order to pay them.
Abundance is everyone's birthright. It wants to flow to you, and the only thing that stops it are your beliefs about it. Most of us are comfortable in a certain income bracket. If we move out of it, will we lose friends? Will we be thrust amongst others who look down upon us? Will we even know how to handle it, or will we blow it all and be right back where we were?
These are all unconscious thoughts that most of us have around money and abundance. Because of this, I find it easiest, especially at first, to bypass these by focusing on how my life would change if my income increased enough to change my life.
"Abundance is a state of mind, more than a reflection of wealth." Judith Orloff
During my visualization practice, I would envision myself doing things I would be able to do if I was making my desired amount a month. Originally, this meant that I was picturing myself going to Target whenever I liked and filling up the basket. I also pictured myself going out to eat frequently because at the time, that wasn't my reality.
I used positive affirmations that I'd say over and over again. Writing them down and taping them around the house also served as a visual reminder of my new desired state of being. It feels silly at first, but over time it begins to feel normal and like a "duh!" thought. Of course I'm abundant!
Think about a range of desired incomes you want to attract. Feel and think about what you'd be like and what you'd do with that level of abundance. Finally, release it out to the universe and enjoy your day, knowing that it's finding its way to you.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you.
To receive weekly inspiration in your inbox, you can sign up for the Self-Care Sunday emails.
With love,
Jessica
Jessica Dimas is the author of Anything Can Be: A Reference Guide for Applying the Law of Attraction.
- Unlocking Serenity: The Art of Choosing Contentment - November 25, 2023
- Reclaiming You: How to Find Yourself Again - November 18, 2023
- The Freedom of Letting Go: Releasing Attachment to Outcomes - October 14, 2023
David Shepherd
I really enjoyed this post. I have felt this way my whole life and have experienced both sides of this theory, the good and bad; it is not a theory to me. The conclusion of this post is one I agree with 1000%... "Follow your bliss. Don’t base it around whether it will bring you money or not, just do it. Paint, write, dance, sing, carve, sculpt, run, CREATE. Do what makes you happy and do it every day." If I'm not creating I am empty and lost now matter what I'm surrounded with. Excellent post!
Jessica Dimas
Thanks David! Yes, I can say the same, I've experienced the good and the bad; it's definitely not a theory, it's as real of a law as the law of gravity. Thank you for your comment!
Diana
These tips are so great and something I really needed to hear! I think believing it is the first and often hardest step. Visualizing and continuing to believe are things I should really work on. Thank you for this inspiring post!
http://mylovelierdays.com
Jessica Dimas
Believing really is the hard part! I remember back when I first got into manifesting and wasn't super hung up on all the "rules", I basically visualized every night and just kept believing that something good was going to come, and that totally worked! So if you get caught up in believing exactly whatever you're wanting to manifest, just believe that something BETTER is on the way. Thank you for your comment! 🙂
Nichole Crawford
Lovely post! <3
Jessica Dimas
Thank you, Nichole! xo
Sylvia Peninah
Thank you so much Jessica 🙂
Meaghan | AspenMoonMama
So glad I found your blog! I love reading posts from like minded ladies like yourself! Thanks for the free checklist to keep my LOA manifesting on track! Love & Light XO Meaghan
Jessica Dimas
Thanks so much for that feedback Meaghan, I appreciate it! Lots of love to you <3
Jenn
I love this post! It brought me back to what I originally believed before I let negative thoughts blind my mind. It’s funny how negativity can alter your reality.
As I sit here writing this, I am watching The Secret again. On one hand, I know this to be true and on the other, it is not an easy concept to wrap my head around. I need to reprogram my mind because, as I look back on my life I do know that I’m the one who has held my dreams at bay.
Thank you, Jessica, for writing so much about the law of attraction and reminding me that I can make it happen and that it’s never too late.
Jessica Dimas
I completely understand, Jenn! It's definitely something that you need to just keep exposing your mind to because your human ego/fear wants to shut it down. Just continue to surround yourself with this information so that it seeps into your subconscious and becomes a new solid belief for you. Thank you for commenting <3
Megan
Love this! Thank you so much for explaining it so clearly!
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Megan, glad you enjoyed the post!
Emma
Thanks for the great post! I have tried it and saw the results 🙂 I have a question though, what about when very challenging things happen? I just had a late miscarriage which was heartbreaking. . If we follow the logic of this post, I almost feel like I can blame myself for it because maybe my visualization or energy were not good enough, which is not helpful at all. This is why I am a bit skeptical. I have learnt a lot from what happened to me, but refuse to believe that I attracted this into my life because of some kind of negative thoughts. How do you see these kind of events from a LOA perspective?
Emma
Thanks for the great post! I have tried it and saw the results 🙂 I have a question though, what about when very challenging things happen? I just had a late miscarriage which was heartbreaking. . If we follow the logic of this post, I almost feel like I can blame myself for it because maybe my visualization or energy were not good enough, which is not helpful at all. This is why I am a bit skeptical. I have learnt a lot from what happened to me, but refuse to believe that I attracted this into my life because of some kind of negative thoughts. How do you see these kind of events from a LOA perspective?
Jasmine
Wonderful post! 💕
Jessica Dimas
Thank you, Jasmine!
Lucy
Hello. I would like to ask if the low of attraction could help me manifest my favorite actor to reply back to me in social media? He's very active with his fans. Thank you. 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Haha, that's a fun desire! I fully believe there's nothing you can't have, so I think if you could believe it, it would happen. How would feel if he responded? Pick something very specific and visualize that in detail. What would be an effect of him replying to you on social media? Would you immediately text or call a friend? Would you share it somewhere? Visualize that until it becomes real. You're in a virtual reality so pretty much anything is possible 🙂
Anonymous
Thank you!! I knew that if I believe it can happen! Thank you again!
Lucy
Thank you!!
Bhavik
I had no serious idea what i actually want but after reading i cleared it. I am going to achieving my GOAL. You told some fact which are real 👌🏻. Thanks mam.
Jessica Dimas
You're very welcome, sir 🙂
Destiny
Thank you so much for sharing, Jessica! I think that believing it's on its way is the hardest part for me, it can be difficult trusting in something and just letting yourself surrender to the process rather than try and control it. But I'm getting better, slowly but surely!
Sydney Saltzman
Hi Jessica. I find all your materials extremely helpful.
I somehow lost track of what I ordered. Would you be able to tell me which I ordered and send the link again.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Sydney, so sorry I just saw this comment. I resent your receipts to you just now!
god
hi everyone i love you all