Don't Manifest More Pleasure. Do This Instead

"Visualising "your best life" can boost mood and create a sense of hopefulness. That good feeling you get, and the boost in your mood, are nothing to sneeze at, but-and there is a but-feeling good is not the same as creating change. And this is where it can get tricky when you are applying it to a sex life that you actively want to change."

"Research by psychologist Gabriele Oettingen and colleagues shows that when positive fantasy is used on its own, it can actually reduce follow-through. When we vividly imagine success, that emotional reward we get can unconsciously substitute for the effort required to make the change. In other words, your mind gets a win, feels good, and is no longer activated to motivate."

Visualization and manifesting have become prevalent in sexual wellness spaces, with advice encouraging people to imagine their ideal sex lives until those visions become reality. Research confirms that imagining desired futures generates positive emotional states and boosts mood. However, feeling good differs fundamentally from creating change. Psychologist Gabriele Oettingen's research demonstrates that relying solely on positive fantasy can actually reduce follow-through on goals. When people vividly imagine success, the emotional reward can unconsciously substitute for the effort required to make real changes. The mind receives a psychological win and feels satisfied, reducing motivation to take concrete action. Rather than abandoning visualization entirely, evidence suggests refining the approach to combine positive imagery with actionable steps.

Read at Psychology Today