When it feels like the universe is laughing at you
We’ve all had those moments. The ones where everything falls apart at the same time. The kettle breaks, your boss snaps at you, the rent’s gone up, and your heels just snapped in the middle of the street. It feels like you’re constantly holding your breath, waiting for the next thing to go wrong. And trying to manifest during these times? It can feel fake, forced, or downright impossible.
But this is exactly when manifestation matters most. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to see possibility in the cracks. Choosing to hold a vision of a better tomorrow, even when today’s gone to hell. It’s not delusion. It’s devotion. And sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps us afloat.
This post is a collection of my go-to manifestation techniques for those moments when it all feels like too much. They’re gentle. They’re grounding. And most importantly, they’re not about fixing your life in five minutes. They’re about reconnecting to your power, even in the chaos.
Manifestation Techniques for Chaotic Moments
Choose One Small Thing
When everything is spinning, it helps to choose one small thing you can control. Make your bed. Drink a glass of water. Brush your hair slowly. You’re not trying to solve all your problems at once. You’re anchoring yourself in the present. That small action becomes a declaration: “I’m still here. I’m still choosing myself.”
The 60-Second Reset
Close your eyes. Take a breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Inhale for four counts. Hold for four. Exhale for four. Repeat three times. You can do this while sitting in traffic, crying in the toilet at work, or waiting for bad news. It’s a tiny pocket of safety. A soft reminder that no matter what happens, you have this moment.
Speak Out Loud to the Universe
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just say it. “I need help.” “I’m scared.” “Please show me another way.” You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re being real. And realness is magnetic. You might be surprised how quickly things begin to shift once you stop pretending you’re fine and start being honest with the universe.
Move the Stuckness Out
You don’t need a gym or a yoga mat. Put on a song that matches your mood and dance it out. Stomp. Shake. Cry. Swear. Get primal. Energy gets stuck in the body, and movement is how you let it go. This isn’t about high vibes. It’s about releasing the heaviness so there’s room for something new.
Get into Water
If you’re feeling drained or overwhelmed, get into water. A bath, a shower, the ocean. Let it cleanse your energy. Imagine it washing away everything you’re carrying. If you’re in the shower, say out loud: “I release what is not mine. I invite in peace.” Simple. Powerful. Restorative.
Change Your Scenery
Even a five-minute walk around the block can shift your state. Open a window. Step outside and look at the sky. You don’t have to go far. Just interrupt the pattern. New energy needs space to arrive, and movement invites it in.
Create a Low-Effort Vision
Forget the vision board with perfectly curated magazine cuttings. Grab a Pinterest board, or save a few photos to your phone. Choose images that make you exhale. That feel like ease, softness, joy. Let them remind you there’s still beauty available, even now. Especially now.
Use Your Voice as a Spell
Every time you say something out loud, you’re casting a spell. So speak the future you want, even if your voice shakes. Say: “I’m moving through this.” “Everything is unfolding for my highest good.” “Something beautiful is coming.” You don’t need to believe it yet. Just let it live in the air.
Write as If It’s Already Done
Grab your phone notes or a scrap of paper. Write a short paragraph as if you’re on the other side of it. “I can’t believe how quickly things turned around. The job came through. I feel lighter. I feel like me again.” This isn’t a trick. It’s a signal. You’re opening the door to possibility.
Anchor Into Your Senses
When your thoughts are spiralling, bring your attention back to your body. Light a candle and watch the flame flicker. Rub a bit of oil or lotion into your hands and focus on the scent. Sip something warm. These simple sensory anchors help calm your nervous system and reconnect you with the present moment. It tells your brain, “We’re safe here. We can soften.”
Your Era in Action
When I first moved to London in 2015, I was on fire. I was manifesting goals left, right and centre. Dream job, new friends, flat shares in cute neighbourhoods. It felt like the universe was working overtime just for me. But then life happened. And not in the cute, rom-com way.
Within months, everything started tumbling. I was dating a… not so nice person, living with dodgy flatmates, getting made redundant, and constantly sick from the stress. I was anxious, drinking too much, spiralling out of control. The magic felt like it had disappeared. I didn’t even recognise myself anymore.
But instead of giving up, I remembered something important: I had never planned to stay in London forever. The goal had always been Scotland. That vision had just gotten lost somewhere between the dodgy flatmates, the drinking, and the anxiety.
So I refocused. I centred myself. I took the chaos as a sign from the universe to realign with what I truly wanted. I started speaking about Scotland again, visualising it, anchoring my energy to it. Three months later, I was there. Living in Glasgow. Glowing. Grounded. Home.
That season of chaos was exactly what brought me back to alignment. Every technique I’ve shared in this post played a role – from choosing one small action each day, to speaking my desires out loud, to shifting my environment both physically and energetically. I didn’t wait for things to get better to start manifesting again. I used the mess as my starting point. That’s the beauty of manifestation: it doesn’t require perfection. All it requires is intention.
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