At some point, everything in my home was something I once wanted. I manifested these items into my life, either by purchasing them, receiving them as gifts … or attracting them in some way. After all, they didn’t just appear out of nowhere. But as I look around now, I realize something: I have a lot of things—yet not enough space. Maybe it’s time I unmanifested some of this stuff!
Manifestation isn’t just about calling in the “big” things like abundance, love, or success—it’s also about the small, everyday things we accumulate. My furniture, books, trinkets, even the extra kitchen gadgets in my drawers—at some point, I desired them enough to bring them into my space.
For a moment, I considered manifesting more space—a bigger house, an addition, or at least better storage solutions. But then a deeper thought took root: What if the answer isn’t more space, but less stuff? What if I need to unmanifest the things that no longer serve me?
The Art of Unmanifesting
We often focus on calling things into our lives—wealth, love, and opportunities. But what about letting go? Unmanifesting is about consciously releasing what no longer aligns with us. This isn’t just about decluttering in the physical sense; it’s a shift in mindset. When we make space, we invite new energy, clarity, and intention into our lives.
The Strange Urge to Add More When We’re Overwhelmed
Interestingly, when life feels overwhelming, many of us don’t instinctively subtract—we add. I once experienced this firsthand when my ex-husband and I were drowning in the endless responsibilities of adulthood: raising kids, managing a household, juggling work, pets, errands, and everything in between. Instead of simplifying, we did something surprising—we spent $1000 and several weekends building a chicken coop and getting chickens. Trust me, we didn’t have that kind of money to spend, and I knew we probably wouldn’t eat enough eggs in our lifetime to recoup that cost (well, the price of eggs was a lot lower back then!) and probably not even enough to feed them.
Looking back, I realize we were seeking control, meaning, and maybe even an escape from the mundane chaos of daily life. We weren’t solving the overwhelm; we were just shifting it onto a new project, convincing ourselves that this would be “the thing” to bring more joy and balance. But in reality, it was just another layer of responsibility.
This pattern happens all the time. When we feel stuck, we take on new hobbies, adopt pets, start projects—anything to create the illusion of change, when what we might really need is less. So instead of manifesting more, maybe it’s time to embrace the magic of less.
Unmanifesting Through the Lens of Ancient Wisdom
In Hindu philosophy, there’s a concept called Avyakta—the unmanifest source from which everything arises and to which everything eventually returns. The Bhagavad Gita describes how all things emerge from the unmanifest and dissolve back into it in cycles of creation and dissolution. Similarly, Advaita Vedanta views the unmanifest as the formless, infinite reality beyond material existence.
What if decluttering wasn’t just about getting rid of things, but about returning excess back to the unmanifest? Instead of constantly accumulating, we could embrace a more natural cycle—where objects, responsibilities, and even old identities flow in and out of our lives in alignment with our true needs. In a way, unmanifesting clutter is a spiritual act: a way to restore balance and make room for what truly matters.
How to Approach Unmanifesting as a Ritual
Instead of seeing decluttering as a chore, what if we transformed it into a magical act? Here’s how you can turn releasing into a sacred practice:
1. Set an Intention
Before diving in, light a candle or take a deep breath and set your intention. You might say:
“I release what no longer serves me. I make space for what truly matters.”
2. Ask Each Item: Does It Still Hold Energy for Me?
Hold each object and reflect:
- Does this item bring me joy, purpose, or connection?
- Or does it feel stagnant, heavy, or burdensome? If it no longer resonates, it’s time to let it go.
3. Thank and Release
Objects carry energy. Before discarding, donating, or gifting, take a moment to thank each item for its time in your life. This helps shift the mindset from “losing” something to consciously releasing it.
4. Let Go with Purpose
- Donate: Give items a second life with someone who needs them.
- Gift: If an object still holds meaning but not for you, pass it to a friend or family member.
- Sell: Sometimes, exchanging energy through selling an item can feel more aligned than simply discarding it.
Creating Spaciousness Beyond the Physical
Unmanifesting isn’t just about things; it’s about mental, emotional, and energetic clutter too. Consider:
- Digital Decluttering: Clear out files, emails, and social media feeds that no longer align with you.
- Emotional Clearing: Release grudges, old narratives, or habits that keep you stuck.
- Rearranging Your Space: Even moving furniture or cleansing with incense can shift the energy of a room.
Identifying the “Chickens” in Your Life
Thinking back to my chicken coop experience, I now ask myself: Are there any metaphorical “chickens” in my life right now? Things that once seemed like a great idea but are actually just another layer of responsibility?
We all have them—commitments, projects, possessions, or even relationships that we’ve accumulated over time but may no longer align with our current needs and desires. The key is recognizing them before they take up more space than they should.
What Are You Truly Manifesting?
When we release, we create room—not just in our homes but in our lives. Perhaps the real desire wasn’t for a bigger house or more storage, but for breathing space, clarity, and a deeper connection to what truly matters.
So instead of manifesting more, maybe it’s time to embrace the magic of less. What will you unmanifest today?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.
✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.