Recently I have been going through an adventure of selling my home.  It’s been on the market for five long months, and when I received the original offer (that has now turned into a purchase intent), I…kind of freaked out.  It was a low offer, and my ego decided to mess with my head.  When you’re in the middle of a sh*t storm, it can be hard to remember to do all the things to not stress.  Knowing I’m in the middle of an adventure and that eventually I will see the fun and the lessons helped some.  Fortunately, I knew enough to reach out for help.  I received the advice to try a “Law of Attraction” exercise called 5 X 55 Manifesting. 

What is 5 X 55?

There are lots of methods to manifest what you desire.  I’ve taught about vision boards (which I love, but with this house sale, the boards have been stored away).  This newly popular exercise (which some say is an “ancient technique”) is based on focus, attention, and using your subconscious to help you get what you want.  If you’ve ever heard of the Law of Attraction, then you’ll understand this is part of that movement.

55 X 5 is basically, you create your one-sentence desire, write it out 55 times for 5 consecutive days.  55 is considered to be a personal power number, helping to raise the energy within you (raise your vibration).  The fact that I am 55 and just learning about this has nothing to do with it’s magic!  Five days represents the five elements in nature.  In Ayurveda, the five elements (“the outside is inside all of us”) are space, air, fire, water and earth.  In the 5X55 you are combining these forces and asking for help from the Universe.  (In my case, I also appealed to St. Joseph, who has become the patron saint of real estate sales.)

How to do 5 X 55

1. Get a journal and something to write with.  Handwriting is key, as it involves using more of your senses.  Don’t type.  If you want, use colorful pens or pencils.  Whatever appeals to you and will keep you happy even when you get a writer’s cramp.
2. Focus on one desire only.  Sometimes it helps to start small, and build your confidence as you see your requests come to fruition.  Be reasonable.  If you’re asking for $100,000 to be in your savings account in five days, but don’t have a job and starting with zero dollars, realize it may take more time.  Be specific. If you want a new car, and have in mind the car you envision driving, include details. 
3. Create your one sentence.  Write it in the present tense, as if you already have the completed goal, as if you already have the thing you desire.  This aids your subconscious to focus on what you “already have” instead of having your mind focus on what you lack.  Manifesting isn’t about positive thinking, it’s about experiencing balance and congruence (aka “aligning”) within a variety of areas of your psyche.  Practice the sentence to make sure you feel at ease with it, that you feel in “flow” when you write it out.  Make sure to write in positives (not “I don’t want another bad relationship” rather “I manifest my romantic soul mate”).  You could even write a sentence that includes gratitude (“thank you Universe for giving me…”).
4. Write this sentence 55 times, each day for five consecutive days.  If you miss a day, start over.  Try to write do the 55 entries in one sitting, in a place without distractions.  Try to be in a positive mindset while writing.  Let go of your expectations, yet while writing imagine how the outcome will make you feel. Try not to feel “mechanical” while doing this, as that invites self-doubt. Remember, this is an exercise that requires your focus and attention.
5. Complete the exercise in five days.  Even if you manifest your desire, finish the writing.  You may continue past the five days, if it feels right to you.  Or change the sentence and start fresh.  Pay attention to any energy shifts you feel.  Notice any opportunities that come up.  Focus on signs or thoughts you have on how you can achieve this goal.

Make it an adventure of the senses

The 5 X 55 already uses multiple senses.  Writing means touching a pen/pencil and seeing the words.  When you note how you are feeling, or pay attention to opportunities or signs, you are using your sense of intuition.  Add in the sense of hearing by reading the sentences out loud, reinforcing the message within your brain.  How can you add taste and smell?  Maybe what you desire has parts that you can incorporate while writing.  Do you envision having breakfast with your romantic soul mate?  Do the journaling in a coffee shop, and in your short breaks of writing, enjoy the smell and taste of your favorite beverage.  While a sold house doesn’t have a smell, I went with the smells from the outcome (sometimes lemon floor polish in an empty house, sometimes coffee from the rest stop as we drive across country).  Use your imagination and see where it takes you!

As Grandma says, TTT

In my opinion, there is no “doing this wrong.” Some of the online gurus say if you don’t get what you ask for, you must be not aligned properly.  I don’t agree.  Do the best you can.  Set your intentions, and then let go of the outcome. 

My grandmother always liked to remind us that “Things Take Time” (TTT).  In one of the twelve step programs I attended, a saying is “God (or the higher power you choose to believe in) has three answers for your requests: Yes.  No. Not Yet.”  You make the request.  You also put in the effort (following what your subconscious motivates you to do to reach your goal!).  And then be open to the wonder of what shows up.  Maybe it will happen in five days.  Maybe less.  Maybe longer.  Or maybe something will show up better than you imagined.

In my case, I was freaking out about accepting a low-ball offer.  I started the 5 X 55 exercise, requesting someone buy my home for the full asking price.  What I truly got out of it was a sense of control in a situation I had no control.  I went from a chaotic mindset to one closer to serenity.  And then magic happened.  I received two more offers – and one was actually at my asking price!  The buyer I am selling to is paying a reasonable price.

Your turn, why not?

This exercise may seem useless to some.  Even some of my good friends think it’s a little cray-cray.  But it can’t harm you, and what if…?  A sense of adventure allows you to try new things and be open to whatever happens.  For me, I received what was underlying my written request – a way to deal with a stressful situation.  But I also received excellent offers!  What are you willing to ask for, focus on and write out 55 times for five days?  Let me know in the comments below!

PS.  A special thanks to Jen Roopian for being there when I needed her, and for inspiring me to try this particular manifesting ritual.