The Manifestation Myth That’s Holding You Back

Manifestation is the buzzword of the decade. Whether you first heard it from your spiritual friend who’s always dissecting your birth chart, caught it on your TikTok algorithm, or learned it from that one ex who thought “good vibes only” was an actual life plan (hey, we all have one—present company included), it’s everywhere. And nobody is championing the manifestation movement quite like Gabby Bernstein.

If you follow Bernstein, you know she’s the queen of helping people call in their dream lives through spiritual practice, positive affirmations, and an unapologetic belief in the universe’s abundance. Her podcast, Dear Gabby, is a goldmine for manifestation techniques, mindset shifts, and the occasional tough-love pep talk. But there’s one message she keeps emphasizing: You need to heal before you can manifest.

And that’s where things get spicy. Because what if you don’t need to be fully healed to create the life you want? What if waiting until you’re fully “fixed” is actually what’s keeping you stuck?

The Healing vs. Manifestation Debate

Lady Eirene, the proprietor of The Purple Cottage, which offers psychic readings and metaphysical supplies, has some thoughts on this. And honestly, they make a lot of sense.

“We cannot go inward and heal while being stuck in the same situation that is your trauma. We cannot go inward and heal if our entire circle is toxic,” she says. “We must realize that the first step to ‘healing’ is setting boundaries with others and removing negative and toxic people from our life.”

Let that sink in. It’s not about healing first, then manifesting. It’s about removing the people and circumstances actively keeping your vibration low. You can’t be out here trying to visualize a life of abundance while entertaining that friend who drains your soul or the job that pays in stress and existential dread.

Do You Really Have to Heal First?

In her latest episode of Dear Gabby, Bernstein echoes the importance of inner work but emphasizes that healing is an ongoing journey. “We think we need to be ‘perfectly healed’ before we can manifest, and that’s just not true,” she says. “What we do need is an awareness of how our unhealed wounds are showing up in our lives.”

She elaborates: “Your traumas and past wounds don’t have to define your ability to call in what you want. Manifestation is about shifting your energy in the present, not waiting for a perfect moment in the future.”

Bernstein emphasizes that healing and manifesting can happen simultaneously. “When we take small steps to acknowledge our emotions and move towards joy, we are already creating a shift. You don’t need to have it all figured out. The universe meets you where you are.”

Lady Eirene takes it a step further: “There are traumas that we cannot heal, but we learn how to manage them and understand them in a manner that affects us in the present time. Saying healing is like saying ‘the whole world’; it is overwhelming, and I feel that many don’t work on themselves because it is overwhelming.”

Translation? You don’t need to be an enlightened, trauma-free being before you can start attracting good things into your life. You just need to recognize what still holds power over you and take small, manageable steps to loosen its grip.

Your Manifestation Toolkit

Now that we’ve cleared up the biggest myth, let’s talk about manifesting your dream life without burning yourself out.

Do: Get Crystal Clear

Manifestation isn’t just about saying, “I want more money,” and expecting the universe to Venmo you. Be specific. What do you want? Why do you want it? How will it make you feel? The clearer you are, the easier it is to align your energy with that desire.

Don’t: Obsess Over the How

One of Bernstein’s biggest tips? Let go of how it’s going to happen. “When we try to control the outcome, we block the universe from working its magic,” she says. Set your intention, then trust that the universe has your back.

Do: Raise Your Vibration

You don’t need to be in a permanent state of zen, but you should feel genuinely good about what you’re manifesting. As Lady Eirene notes, “We need to look at our present situation and circumstance, work on how to manage that so that we raise our vibration now and not once we are ‘healed.'”

Don’t: Manifest from Lack

Manifesting from desperation (“I need a new job or I’ll be miserable forever”) only reinforces scarcity. Instead, shift to a mindset of abundance (“I am open to amazing new career opportunities”). It’s a small tweak that makes a huge difference.

Do: Take Action

Manifestation isn’t just about visualization; it requires aligned action. If you’re manifesting a dream job, that means sending out applications. If you’re manifesting love, that means putting yourself out there (yes, even on Hinge, and may the odds be ever in your favor).

Don’t: Ignore Reality

Lady Eirene keeps it real: “We need to tap into the real world with real people with real problems.” That means recognizing that not everyone has the privilege of sitting in a café all day working on their vision board. Some people are juggling three jobs and trying to keep it together. And that’s okay. You can still manifest in a way that works for you.

Avoiding Manifestation Burnout

Balancing manifestation work with real life can be exhausting. Here’s how to keep the magic alive without spiraling into burnout:

• Take Breaks: You don’t have to script your dream life every single day. Rest is productive, too.
• Trust the Process: Not seeing instant results? That’s normal. Stay patient and keep the faith.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Even tiny shifts in your life deserve recognition. They’re proof that it’s working.
• Ditch the Guilt: Some days, you’re just surviving. That doesn’t mean your manifestation journey is ruined. Be kind to yourself.

So, if you’ve been waiting to start manifesting until you’ve healed every wound, consider this your permission slip to start now. As Lady Eirene says, “You don’t have to ‘heal’ every trauma in your life to be able to manifest. This doesn’t resonate with half the clients I have or have had.”

So set those intentions, clear out the toxic energy, and manifest the hell out of your life. Because you deserve good things now, not just when you’re fully “healed” (whatever that really means).

Listen to the Dear Gabby podcast for more on manifestation, spirituality, and personal growth.