Pleasureful

Tag: hustleculture

  • Oh, I Just Manifested It!

    Oh, I Just Manifested It!

    I first came across the art of manifestation when I started listening to more podcasts and reading more ‘self-help’ books. However, there was one novel in particular that really pushed me over the edge when it comes to believing in myself and the universe, and that was ‘How to be a Badass’ by Jen Sincero. Let me tell you, I definitely learned how to be a bit more badass-y after finishing this book. Jen talks about letting the universe know what it is you want by speaking it into existence.

    If you want to manifest your dreams into reality, you can’t just want it to happen, you have to believe it’s going to happen. Let me give you an example…

    I went for an interview a few months ago for a job that I knew was exactly what I’d been looking for as a step in the right direction for my future career. I’d had no experience in the industry before, and I had only worked one other office job previously, which was my business administration apprenticeship. But I walked into that interview knowing I had the skills and personality that they were looking for to fill the role. I walked out of that first interview feeling good, giving no energy to worrying about the outcome.

    A little while after, I was invited back for a second interview along with two other candidates. Now, this second interview is what really made me realise ‘this is my job’. I had never had such a good feeling from an interview before, and there was no way I wasn’t going to be working for this company within the next few weeks. But instead of walking out and thinking ‘wow, I really hope I get that job, I’ll be so disappointed if I don’t get it, I think I did enough to impress them’, I changed my thinking into ‘I can’t wait to start this new job, I’m so excited for this new opportunity, that interview went perfectly’. Even if when my mum would say that she hoped I would get it, I responded with the belief that, actually, it was already mine.

    I’ve been working here for over a month now.

    I gave no energy to worrying about the possibility of it not happening, because in my mind that wasn’t a possibility. I made sure not to use any negative language that the universe could have taken to mean something else. When putting something out for the universe to hear, you need to be concise. For example, instead of manifesting ‘By this time next year my bank account will not be empty’, use a phrase more like ‘By this time next year my bank account will be full and healthy/will have X amount of money in it’. See, the universe will hear the word ‘empty’ and may misunderstand what it is you are wanting. Try not to give out mixed signals.

    So, how do you create your own manifesto? Picture where you want to be in the future. This could be in a years’ time or even 10 years from now, it’s up to you. The more specific you are the better. Let’s say you’re wanting to move out; Where are you living? Are you in a house or a flat? Are you renting or paying a mortgage? Do you live alone? With a partner? Roommates? Do you live close to work? Do you have a garden? Is there a pet running around inside? Are you friendly with your neighbours? What colour are the f**king walls?

    Write it all down and read it back often. Be excited that this is what you are working towards. This is your future that you are looking forward to.

    To give you some ideas, here’s a brief manifesto of my own:

    • By the end of next year (2021) I will have a distinction in my digital marketing course, have completed my apprenticeship and be working in a higher position marketing job, earning X amount of money per annum.
    • By the end of next year, I will be getting an average of 100 views per blog post on Currently Clueless. Thanks to my experience gained from my apprentice job, my WordPress skills will have vastly improved; I will apply these skills not only to my own site but for future job roles.
    • By the time I am 24 years old, I will be preparing to move out and purchase my own property to live in by myself.

    You get the idea. You might think I’m crazy or unrealistic, and that’s just fine. It’s not for everybody and trust me I know how hard it is to get into this sort of positive mindset. But just think, how’s the universe supposed to give you what you want if you don’t tell it? Speak up – the only risk is being heard.

  • All or Something

    I have recently started going back to therapy again. I have an hour long session every two weeks, and so far so good. I think therapy can be absolutely life changing for some people, and being able to talk to a professional about your thoughts, feelings and struggles, knowing that they are there to give no judgement and to just help you cope is such a reassuring thing to have.

    So, in yesterdays session I was talking about how I often put so much pressure on myself to be constantly busy doing things, being productive, working out or working on a new project. I’ll get these bursts of motivation and ambition in which I plan out my whole week down to the hour, with all these expectations in my head of all the things that I’m going to get done. Then, just as quickly as it came, that wave of determination comes crashing back down. I’ll look at the plan I set out for myself, all these things that I think I need to do to be a healthy and successful person, and instantly doubt myself. I start to look at it all in a more negative light. What if I don’t do well enough? What if I end up wasting my time, money and effort? Will this really get me where I want to be?

    I start asking myself all these questions, then when the time comes to get stuff done, I’m too tired and apprehensive to actually do what I set out to do. What’s the point in doing something if I don’t feel I’ll do it perfectly? Why would I start writing a blog post when I know I’ll lose the drive to finish it in one sitting? What’s the point in going to the gym when I only have the time and/or energy for a measly 30 minutes?

    It was then that my therapist said to me ‘Instead of this ‘all or nothing’, what if you told yourself ‘all or something’?’. I’ve never thought about it like that. I think we’re told throughout our whole lives, especially in school, that if we’re not doing our best we’re not trying hard enough. This then leads to the mentality of ‘well, might as well not try at all’. But this isn’t true. Something is always better than nothing, and sometimes can be more beneficial than giving it our all.

    Putting all this pressure and insane expectations on ourselves to work hard and be successful at what we do isn’t healthy; and stop looking at how hard others are working and what they’re doing, because comparing ourselves only makes things worse. It’s called ‘hustle culture’ – I call it toxic. It leads to burnout.

    Allow time for self love and self care. Give your mind and body rest if that is what they want. If you can’t give it your all, only something, don’t judge yourself for it. Give it what you can manage.

    Something is always better than nothing.