Why The Law Of Attraction Isn’t Working (And How To Fix It)

Your Law Of Attraction work seems perfect on paper: Manifestation Board? Check! Daily Affirmations? Check! Visualization? Check! Read The Secret? Check! WATCHED The Secret? Double-check!! 

Heck, maybe you are even binge-watching some Abraham-Hicks videos on YouTube!

It seems like you are doing all the right things. So… Why is it not working?

You are supposed to think positive thoughts, and things will become a vibrational match and manifest in your reality, right?

But now, even after following all the rules and leaning into the power of positive thinking like never before, you might feel a growing sense of frustration, making it harder and harder to keep a positive outlook on this whole loa journey.

“Maybe my desires are just not meant to be…” 

Before you give up on the wonders of the Law of Attraction, I want you to understand 9 common mistakes you might be making and how to correct them so you can finally unlock the positive results you have been dreaming about.

I was guilty of all of them at some point in life. Those mistakes are major manifestation blocks. But they are all reversible! 

You are worthy of your wildest dreams; you just need to adjust some things to get there. To keep this guide handy, make sure to bookmark this page or pin it for later.

Are you ready to change these circumstances and finally manifest all the positive experiences you have been dreaming about? Take a deep breath, and let’s do this!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase using a link we share. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps us to keep creating awesome content! So thank you! 💘✨

Why Didn’t The Law of Attraction Work?

One: You Don’t Hold The Feeling Long Enough

What does the Law of Attraction mean? Well, it goes something like this:

“Everything that’s coming into your life you are attracting into your life. And it’s attracted to you by virtue of the images you’re holding in your mind. It’s what you’re thinking. Whatever is going on in your mind, you are attracting to you”.  — The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne

You need to visualize your desired outcome more often to generate enough energy around it. 

According to Abraham-Hicks, you must focus on something for at least 17 seconds to activate a matching vibration. The longer you concentrate, the stronger it gets. 

A.H. even states that holding a pure feeling around it for 68 seconds is enough to start its manifestation.

Think about how you can create moments during your day to visualize and hold positive thoughts and feelings about your desires. 

An actionable way to keep the positive energy around my dreams that has been working for me is, anytime I have a fearful thought around it, I recognize it and then challenge it with the truth. For example:

• Fearful thought: “I’m never gonna be able to make this work.”
• Challenge with the truth: “OK, I see how this desire is big and different from what I have experienced so far. I cannot control how things will work and happen, and it’s not my job to figure it out. That’s the Universe’s job. But what is under my control right now?”

After that, I focus on doing at least one thing that I can control. It might be researching a specific topic or booking my next yoga class—whatever makes me feel good and aligns with that desire. While doing it, I visualize my already successful outcome.

This helps to “hold the feeling” and rewire the subconscious mind to nourish a more powerful self-perception.

Two: You Ignore Your “Negative” Feelings

Based on the first point, this might seem like a contradiction, but hear me out.

One common misconception among new adopters of the Law of Attraction is that one should never feel negative emotions. 

Ignore them, bury them, and pretend this whole negative energy doesn’t even exist!

I can’t blame you—I did this for years! But it all ended in a series of panic attacks and complete burnout from all the bottled-up emotions.

I was devastated and couldn’t understand why I was manifesting that intense feeling of frustration, paired with all the heavy and messy mental health moments. 

After much inner reflection, through prayer, meditation, and therapy, I understood that all feelings are meant to be felt.

They are all carrying a message from the Universe. 

The Secret Book puts it this way:

“What if your feelings are actually communication from the Universe to let you know what you’re thinking? Our feelings are a feedback mechanism to us about whether we’re on track or not, whether we’re in course or off course”  — The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne.

I also love how Abraham Hicks explains why negative experiences (they call it “contrast”) are essential for the manifestation journey:

“When the contrast gets greater, the desire gets greater too, and that’s what miracles are from. A miracle is nothing more than a terrible situation that has caused strong desire and then somehow an alignment of Energy with the desire. Every day life creativity, that’s all that it is.” -Abraham

Don’t judge your feelings as good or bad. Instead, ask yourself:

“What is this feeling telling me? What is trying to bring to my consciousness?”

Through your manifestation journey, you will need to heal past wounds and beliefs to become the person you were always meant to be—your most real, highest self. 

To heal, we need to feel.

You don’t need to be afraid of how those “negative” feelings will manifest in your life. 

First, the fact that they are bringing limiting beliefs to the surface is already the Universe working in you to create space for your desires to manifest. Trust the process. 

Second, remember: there is a time delay between our thoughts and the manifestation, and it’s here to serve you. There is a difference between speaking and dwelling on negative things and allowing yourself to feel the feeling and recognize it as a moment of contrast. Experiencing contrast is the first step towards manifesting.

So, when you feel like crying, cry. Get to the bottom of your feelings, learn what is here to teach you, and then move on. 

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Three: You Have Unresolved Beliefs Of Unworthiness 

Sometimes, although you look happy, basically the picture of optimism on the outside, you don’t feel worthy or capable deep down. 

Most of us have deep, limiting beliefs about love and worthiness. Those beliefs are MAJOR manifestation blocks! 

Since our deep, unconscious thoughts cancel the work we do on the surface, we’ve been programmed to self-sabotage! 

Nothing will move until those limiting beliefs and negative patterns are taken care of. 

Heads up: If you are serious about your spiritual journey, all of this past B.S. will come up.

It will get messy.

But you can’t run away or will never live to your full potential.

(self-discovery is the name of the game! One way to speed things up is to find a tool to give you guidance and direction; I highly recommend the 21-Day Self-Discovery Plan. It was a game-changer on my journey towards self-discovery and manifestation)

Remember our second point, roll up your sleeves and get into that inner healing work, baby! 

How The 12 Laws Of The Universe Affect Manifestation

Four: You ignore the other 11 Laws of The Universe

This organized chaos we call the Universe is reigned by 12 Spiritual Laws.

Even though the Law of Attraction is the most famous one, all twelve directly impact this planet’s physical reality and experiences.

Most people who manifest their dreams and desires are, consciously or unconsciously, following these 12 Rules.

If you do not see your desires manifest in reality, even if you think you are doing everything “right” on paper, you may be overlooking some of these other rules.

Let’s take a quick look at them: 

1. Law of Divine Oneness

Everything in The Universe is connected. Your choices, words, and beliefs will also impact the world. We are all one. 

This rule is why I no longer envy other people’s achievements. If someone has something I really want, that’s great! And celebrating their success is a powerful tool for manifesting.

Since we are one, if they can have it, it’s a reminder that this is also available for me.

2. Law of Vibration

Everything in the Universe constantly moves and has its own energy frequency. High-energy particles are naturally drawn to other high-energy particles, the same as low-energy particles. 

So, when you talk to someone or go to a place and feel the “bad vibes,” don’t ignore it. That’s really a thing. The Universe warns you, so you must decide what to do with that information.

3. Law of Correspondence

How you do one thing is how you do everything. Your behavior and the situations in your life operate in a pattern. 

If you slack at work, you will likely do so in your relationships and even how you care for your house. 

In the same way, if you keep your surroundings clean and organized, honoring even the spaces only, you will see… This will reflect on your relationships, how you care for your health, your work, etc.

4. Law of Attraction

What you think you attract. Like attracts like. 

This one you already know well. 

5. Law of Inspired Action

We must consciously go after our goals to see results. 

Visualizing, declaring affirmations, and keeping a positive attitude are not enough to manifest your goals. 

To become a millionaire, you won’t have to manifest your dream bank account with just a beautiful vision board. Research about investments, business opportunities, hustle to become the best at what you do, and everything else you feel led to.

The Universe will open doors, give us ideas, and create opportunities when you become clear about what you want and act on it. But you must act on them.

Remember: Although The Universe will do the hard work when creating a better future for yourself, you must also do your part. 

6. Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy

All things are in constant flow.

The power of this law comes when you understand that you can always choose to become what you want. 

For example, imagine you are stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and, even worse, self-talk. You can change that by exposing yourself to high vibrations by talking with a good friend, laughing, and doing something you love…

The high energy from those things will spontaneously prompt energy transmutation in you. 

7. Law of Cause and Effect

All actions have a correspondence reaction.

Don’t expect to see good things happening for you if you are always gossiping, judging, and complaining.

On the other hand, if you are kind, support others in their journey, always choose to see the bright side, and cultivate a positive mindset, your energy will be aligned with the stream of love and good things. It’s just a natural effect. 

8. Law of Compensation

You receive what you give. Also known as karma. 

If you are always quick to judge and criticize others, that’s what you get.

If you decide to use your resources to give back and do good, it can be a powerful tool for experiencing an overflow of positive things in your own life. 

9. Law of Relativity

Nothing is good or bad; there are always multiple perspectives. You decide the meaning. 

Maybe you think you are unlucky because you had to cancel your wedding party due to a worldwide pandemic (hey, that’s me!)

But then, when you think about the people who lost jobs, homes, and loved ones… You see that you’re actually lucky to stay alive and with no financial loss in the middle of the craziness of 2020. 

10. Law of Polarity

Everything has an opposite.

The reality of those opposites is what gives us tools to understand life. 

For example, if you dream about an incredible romantic relationship with a loving partner, understanding, and best friend. 

Meeting someone who is selfish and self-centered in the dating pool teaches you what you don’t want.

Hard times enlighten us on what does not work. Everything has a lesson in itself. We need to pay attention to them. 

11. Law of Rhythm

All things come in cycles. 

If you are a woman, you can relate to this better than anyone else. We can also see this in nature with the seasons.

This shows us that nothing lasts forever; nothing is permanent.

If it’s good, enjoy it while it lasts. If it’s terrible, hold on to hope, knowing better days are ahead.  

12. Law of Gender

There are two main types of energy; some refer to them as masculine and feminine. But it can also be yin and yang. 

We all have both, and to achieve ultimate success, we must balance them. 

Understand where you may need more “feminine energy” and where you may need more “masculine energy.”  

Five: You Are Not Clear About What You Really Want

You want to be successful, but how? Having your own business, becoming a prominent CEO, or finding a stable job that pays minimum wage? 

You want to buy your dream house, but what does it look like? Is it in the mountains or in the city? Does it have a backyard or a pool?

You want to find the love of your life, but how is the relationship going? Are you guys best friends who share everything, or is there a more independent vibe going on?

We want so many things, and at first glance, we THINK we have clarity about our desires.

But as soon as we start digging a little deeper, we find things could be clearer.

If we are unclear about what we want, we start sending mixed messages to the Universe… which will generate mixed results. 

Choose one desire to focus on and become crazy clear about it. Write the details, the feelings, and the sensations it evokes in you.

What helps me a lot with this is closing my eyes and imagining a little movie in my head, going to a place where my desire has already manifested. I pay attention to how I feel, what the room looks like, and what I am talking about…

This little exercise will also help you hold the feeling for over 17 seconds, so double win! 

Six: You Are Obsessed With Your Goal 

Sometimes, we are so obsessed with our desire that we can only think about it; we become obsessed with manifesting. 

Once more, I’ve been there. A few years ago, when I was still running my old business, I was so obsessed with success that I neglected my health, relationships, and spiritual practice.

I worked non-stop until I burned out and was forced to stop. 

Even though I was doing affirmations, visualizations, and declarations… nothing seemed to work! I was stuck!

When it hit the fan, I finally understood that being a control freak manifests an extreme fear of failure. 

If you are also a control freak, stop for a second and honestly ask yourself: “Am I holding so tight to it because I fear failure?”. 

It’s important to understand that you can still manifest in a frantic-obsessed state, but it won’t stick. 

The reason is the frequency that was put into that manifestation – super low. It’s like building a house in the sand. 

That frenetic energy is so low because obsessing usually makes one feel anxious, powerless, insecure, and worried…

Please take a look at the level of those emotions on the Emotional Guidance Scale:

Do I need to say more? 

Seven: You Don’t Accept A Solution Different Than Yours 

Another not-so-fun thing that happens when obsessing about a specific desire is that you have a very constrained idea of how things should happen.

You create this perfect little plan in our heads and give the map to the Universe: “Here, follow this way. MY WAY!”

While you hold tightly to this perfect master plan, we forget that the Universe’s ways are not yours. They are higher, better. 

Sometimes, our minds are so small, and our perspective is thus limited to all the ways and possibilities out there!

When you become attached to your notions of how things should go, you block energy flow and try to shape your ways. 

Surrender your plans to the wisdom of the Universe.

Allow it to bring creative solutions to you.

Open yourself to unexpected resolutions.

Let it go. The Universe knows best! 

Take it from the girl who met the love of her life when she got late for church and sat next to a random stranger (who now is her husband). 

Eight: You Are Attached To Your Own Timeline

Adding to the last point, sometimes we are also attached to our own little perfect timeline.

• Be married by 27.  
• Become a millionaire by 30. 
• Buy dream house before 33. 

Although all of this is possible, when we are fixated on the numbers and dates, we get to a lower level in the emotional scale (remember?), which drops our vibrations… You know the drill.

Again, surrender! The Universe’s timing is perfect.

I created a little mantra that really helps me gain perspective when I find myself getting attached to timelines; it goes like this:

“My timing is divinely guided. I am never late.” 

Nine: Deep Inside, You Still Think You Are The One Who Needs To “Make It Work” 

Although we must go after our goal to see results (Law of Inspired Action FTW!), we must also understand that we don’t need to carry all the weight. 

Don’t be discouraged when you hit a situation that seems impossible. Don’t beat yourself up, fixating on how big the problem is. 

Do your best; do it with love and from a place of surrender. Knowing that your only job is to plant the seed, the Universe will take care of the rest. 

Work from a place of divine inspiration and then rest. Knowing that the Universe is taking care of you and that things are ALWAYS working for you, even when you can’t see. 

God/The Universe is here to care for what you can’t. They specialize in impossible and supernatural causes. And that’s good news!

Again, I want to remind you that you are worthy of your wildest dreams and desires.

Manifestation is a spiritual path, and spiritual paths are here to bring us healing. 

The middle of the road can be messy. Still, if you don’t shy away from work and open yourself to the wisdom of the Universe, soon you will arrive at your destination.

To get this beautiful energy flowing, I suggest you freshen up your manifestation routine with some new affirmations!

Here are some of my favorites, pick one: 

• 44 Powerful Affirmations for Wealth and Success
• 37 Night-Time Affirmations to Align Your Thoughts With the Universe
• 38 Positive Affirmations to Start Your Day With Inspiration

Now, I want to hear from you in the comments: after learning about all those common Law of Attraction mistakes, where do you think you can improve?

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