Are You Manifesting—or Just Avoiding Accountability?

May 19

3 min read

We’ve all seen it. The pastel affirmations, the “high-vibe only” Instagram captions, the declarations that your dream house, soulmate, and six-figure bank balance are “already yours.” Whether the posts are telling you type "claim" in the comments to bring in these blessings or someone is telling you in 3 days this will happen to you. Manifestation is everywhere—hailed as the modern cure all and magic highway to success and happiness.

But here’s the uncomfortable question: Are you actually manifesting… or just avoiding accountability?

What Is Manifestation, Really?

At its core, manifestation is about aligning your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with your dreams and desires. It’s the idea that your inner ideal version of your life directly shapes your outer reality. That’s a powerful truth—one that’s echoed in everything from spiritual traditions to cognitive psychology.

But somewhere between the vision boards and the viral TikToks, something shifted and not the (timeline/reality shifting trend either). Manifestation became less about conscious creation—and more about wishful thinking and having a cheat code to life.

When Manifesting Turns Into Escapism

There’s a fine line between holding a vision and hiding from responsibility. Ask yourself:

Are you affirming abundance while ignoring your credit card bills?
Are you visualizing a dream career but not applying to jobs?
Are you blaming “low vibrations” for every failed relationship?

Sometimes, we disguise passivity as spiritual alignment. We say, “I’m trusting the universe,” when we really mean, “I’m scared to take the first step.” We insist, “It’s all unfolding in divine timing,” when we’re actually avoiding the work that growth demands.

In other words, we manifest to feel empowered—but end up using it to avoid accountability.

Examples I can give for this is, "I am manifesting a 6-figure bank account." Okay, your intention is out there, now the universe will help put opportunities in your life to make that a reality. A friend just asked you to go to a conference, a new job posting came up, you're starting your own business, your job just put you on a new project. These are all things the universe could provide you to get to that 6-figure bank account, but you are the one that needs to act.

Signs You’re Using Manifestation to Dodge Responsibility

Here are a few red flags:

🔮 You wait for signs instead of making decisions.
🧘‍♀️ You silence “negative” emotions instead of exploring their roots.
💸 You expect results without consistent effort.
🙅‍♂️ You spiritualize every setback instead of asking, “What was my part in this?”

True manifestation doesn’t bypass responsibility—it requires radical self-honesty.

Real Manifestation Requires Action

The Law of Attraction isn’t just about thoughts—it’s about alignment. That includes:

Taking practical steps toward your goal.
Facing your fears and limiting beliefs head-on.
Holding yourself accountable for your part in co-creation.

A vision board is powerful. So is therapy. So is putting in the work day after day, even when it’s uncomfortable or unglamorous.

As sometimes the things we want or are manifesting, when we get them, will we self-sabotage and push what is ours away due to unhealed trauma or wounds.

Manifest With Integrity

If you truly want to manifest, don’t skip the hard parts. Dream big—but also get real. Ask:

What am I doing today to move toward my vision?
What patterns or beliefs am I avoiding?
Where do I need to take more ownership?

Manifestation isn’t a magic spell—it’s a mirror. And sometimes, the most aligned thing you can do is admit you’ve been hiding behind the word “manifesting” when what you really need is a plan.

As I like to say, Manifestation is just goal setting. Except with a lot more mental strain and big ole dash of pixie dust. When was the last time you set out and did 1 year, 5-year, 10-year goal setting session. What was in there? What did you set for yourself from a personal or professional goals? That is manifestation, goal setting is manifestation. And I haven't figured out how to use goal setting as a cheat code to life yet.