The Law of Attraction: Manifesting vs. Soul Contracts

The Law of Attraction.

It’s the go-to belief system for anyone who’s ever desperately tried to visualise their way into a million-pound mansion, dream relationship, and a six-figure business—all while sitting on the sofa watching Netflix.

But here’s the problem…

🔹 If manifesting really worked the way people say it does, wouldn’t we all be billionaires by now?🔹 Why do some people “believe” so hard and still struggle?🔹 And if you can just “think” your way into a perfect life, what happens to things like soul contracts, free will, and, you know… reality?

It’s time to break this down. What’s the difference between manifesting and soul contracts? And more importantly, are we actually in control of what happens in our lives, or is it all already planned?

Let’s get into it.

What Is the Law of Attraction? (And Why It’s Kind of a Pyramid Scheme)

The Law of Attraction is based on the idea that like attracts like—meaning that if you focus all your energy on positive thoughts, you’ll attract positive things into your life.

On the surface, this makes sense. It’s true that your mindset affects your reality. If you believe you’re capable, you’re more likely to take action. If you expect good things, you’re more likely to notice opportunities.

But here’s where it goes off the rails…

🔹 People start believing that literally everything that happens to them is their fault. (Got sick? You must have thought bad thoughts. Lost your job? You clearly manifested it.)🔹 It gets monetized by “coaches” who promise to teach you the “secrets” (for the small fee of £3,333).🔹 It ignores external factors like privilege, circumstance, and, oh yeah… soul contracts.

The reality?

Yes, your energy shapes your experience. But no, you can’t out-manifest something that your soul literally signed up for before you got here.

What Are Soul Contracts? (And Why They Might Be Ruining Your Manifestation Plans)

Before you were born, your soul made some agreements.

These agreements—aka soul contracts—are like your spiritual lesson plan for this lifetime.

🔹 Some are easy (falling in love, finding your passion).🔹 Some are hard (grief, heartbreak, massive life challenges).🔹 Some are about karmic balance (that person who annoys you beyond all reason? Yeah, you probably owe them something from a past life).

Your soul chose these experiences because they’re meant to help you grow.

And that’s where manifesting vs. soul contracts gets tricky.

Manifesting vs. Soul Contracts: Can You Change Your Fate?

So, here’s the big question:

If you have a soul contract for struggle, does that mean you can’t manifest an easier life?

Not necessarily—but it does mean some things might not shift, no matter how many vision boards you make.

Think of it like this:

🔹 If your soul contract includes learning self-worth, no amount of manifesting will let you skip that lesson. You might manifest money, but you’ll still struggle with undervaluing yourself.🔹 If your soul contract is about resilience, life might keep throwing challenges your way, even if you’re chanting affirmations every morning.🔹 If you’re meant to experience a major relationship shift, no amount of “visualizing a happy marriage” will stop it from happening.

Basically, you can manifest within the framework of your soul contracts—but you can’t erase them.

Why the Law of Attraction Can Feel Like Gaslighting

One of the biggest issues with the Law of Attraction movement is the idea that if you don’t get what you want, it’s your own fault.

Didn’t manifest your dream house?❌ You must have had negative thoughts.

Struggling financially?❌ You obviously have money blocks.

Dealing with trauma, illness, or heartbreak?❌ You should just raise your vibration.

This is spiritual gaslighting at its finest—because it completely ignores the reality of soul contracts, external circumstances, and the fact that life is not just a checklist of “good vibes only.”

So… Can You Manifest Anything at All?

Yes—but with some major caveats.

Manifesting is about aligning with possibility, not controlling reality.

Here’s what actually works:

✅ Set clear intentions. (But don’t expect instant magic—manifestation requires action.)✅ Take aligned steps. (Spirit helps those who help themselves—so don’t just visualize, DO something.)✅ Trust that what’s meant for you will come. (And if it doesn’t, maybe your soul has a different (better) plan.)

Final Thoughts: Finding the Balance Between Manifesting and Soul Contracts

Here’s the truth:

🔹 Yes, your energy matters. A positive mindset does help you attract better experiences.🔹 No, you can’t override your soul contracts. Some things are meant to happen, whether you like it or not.🔹 It’s not all on you. The universe isn’t punishing you for bad thoughts. Life is complex, and some struggles are part of the bigger picture.

The best way to work with this?

Manifest with intention—but trust the bigger plan.

Your soul might just have something even better in store for you.

Enjoyed this?

Want to develop your spiritual gifts without the toxic positivity nonsense? Join The Gateway for live workshops, practice sessions, and a real, grounded approach to spirituality.

Ever had an experience where you tried to manifest something, but life had other ideas? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 👇