"Manifestation 101 says your thoughts create your reality—that the energy you put into the world is what you get back, subconscious or not. But most manifestation methods—the 3-6-9, “Future You” journaling, ChatGPT (yes, apparently AI can hack your manifesting)—aren’t that basic; they require a lot of time, routine, and effort, which, if we’re being honest, can be a major roadblock. So busy manifestors rejoice: The newest manifestation trend only takes 17 seconds (there go all my excuses).
TikTok creators are crediting the “17-second” manifestation method for attracting their desires. In a video, manifestation coach Cheryl Couture explains that she uses it as one of her go-to methods. In another video, singer and creator Liberty Walker shared that the quick approach gets her everything she wants. Whether you’re ready to go all in or your skeptic radar is going off, keep reading. I asked experts for all the answers, including the burning question: Does the 17-second manifestation method really work? Here’s what they said.
Experts Consulted
At The Everygirl, we believe that wellness advice should be grounded in accurate, science-backed information to ensure our readers can make informed decisions about their health and well-being. That’s why we prioritize consulting trusted, credible experts—so every piece of content is both reliable and empowering.
HELEN PLEHN
Helen Plehn is an aura reader, author of The Aura Color Wheel: What Your Soul’s Aura Reveals About Your Inner Gifts, Wounds, and Lessons, and founder and spiritual teacher at Helen Creates Beauty. On a spiritual quest for joy and purpose for more than a decade, she has extensive knowledge about Western and Vedic astrology, enneagram, numerology, and human design.
JANA STERN
Jana Stern is a renowned psychic, astrologer, and founder and holistic healer at The Resilience Revolution, a unique program designed to facilitate personal and spiritual resilience through tailored coaching and holistic health techniques. With over 15 years of professional expertise, Jana utilizes her knowledge in metaphysics, esoterics, astrology, and energy healing to empower her clients.
What Is the 17-Second Manifestation Method?
“The 17-second manifestation method is a technique introduced by Abraham Hicks and is based on the idea that 17 seconds of focused thought is enough to ignite the energy of manifestation,” explained Helen Plehn, an aura reader and founder and spiritual teacher at Helen Creates Beauty. “It suggests that when you hold a pure thought for 17 seconds without contradiction, you begin the process of activating the vibration of that desire.” In just a matter of seconds—faster than you can say “I don’t have time”—you can shift your subconscious into believing you can (and will) get what you want and tap into the feeling as if you already have it. You don’t need a pen and paper or your phone—just your mind, good intention, and conviction.
Whether it’s a strong, secure relationship, a once-in-a-lifetime job offer, or more cash in the bank, by committing to the 17-second manifestation method, “You will bring it closer to your energy field, making it easier to bring your dreams into reality,” said Jana Stern, a psychic, astrologer, and founder and holistic healer at The Resilience Revolution. And if you have a little more than a minute to spare, Plehn said that when you maintain the thought of your goal for 68 seconds (four intervals of 17 seconds), the momentum becomes even stronger to activate the law of attraction, pulling matching vibrations into alignment. But don’t get caught up in the numbers; the energy you create when you give your hopes and dreams undivided attention is where the “magic” happens.
Does It Actually Work?
According to Stern, it’s been proven that 17 seconds of focus is enough to begin shifting brain patterns and energy. After 17 seconds, you begin to embody the thought. While both experts I spoke to confirmed the 17-second manifestation method works, it comes with some conditions:
- Lack of resistance: You must believe what you want is possible and avoid contradicting the thought with doubt.
- Emotional alignment: The thought must feel good and resonate with your true desires.
- Energetic consistency: Repeating the practice regularly builds vibrational momentum.
For the 17-second manifestation technique to work, you have to be optimistic and keep at it. Are you continually doubting the outcome, or are you regularly and wholeheartedly practicing good vibes? You’ll put the 17 seconds to good use more efficiently if you embody the emotions and mindset of the version of yourself who has already manifested your dreams. “The method works not as a ‘magic spell,’ but by shifting your vibration—and when your vibration aligns with your desires, you become a magnet for synchronicities, opportunities, and inspired actions,” Plehn said. “This alignment invites the universe to co-create the reality you wish to experience.”
How to Practice It
Before you even hit start on the 17 seconds, Stern stressed the importance of setting the intention (or “why”) for what it is you want to manifest. If you want to bring in $100,000 in six months, think about what you would spend that money on and how you would use it to better yourself and the world around you. Equally crucial to the process is feeling your feelings around the one ambition (yes, focus on one manifestation at a time). “Whenever we want something, it usually comes from a place of not yet having it, and that can cause some serious emotions to come to the surface,” Stern warned. “As the emotions arise, it is imperative to let yourself feel them in totality so you can move past them. There are no bad feelings to feel (including guilt, shame, fear, or regret), but after you feel them, get back into flow and fully let it go after the practice is complete.”
Here are Plehn’s favorite ways to practice the 17-second manifestation method effectively:
The Soul-Aligned Visualization
- Set a timer for 17 seconds.
- Visualize yourself living your dream life (as your soul-aligned self).
- Engage your senses: What do you see, feel, hear, smell?
- Hold that thought without distraction.
Why it works: “Your personal energy or the electromagnetic field around you is your aura,” Plehn said. “Manifestation happens when your aura layers are strong and clear.” Visualization activates the astral and mental aura layers, aligning your vibration with the emotional frequency of the outcome. The clarity and emotion amplify your signal to the universe.
The Affirmation Flow
- Choose a short affirmation that deeply resonates with you (e.g., “I am a channel of abundance,” “I will succeed today,” “My body is healthy, and I’m grateful”).
- Repeat it with emotion and confidence for 17 seconds.
Why it works: The throat chakra (blue aura layer) and solar plexus (yellow layer) respond well to spoken words and willpower. This strengthens your aura and signals to the universe that you’re ready.
Aura Color Focus Meditation
- Based on your soul aura color (like tangerine for creativity or emerald for compassion), imagine your heart space glowing with that color. (You can take the free soul aura color quiz on Plehn’s website to discover yours.)
- For 17 seconds, infuse that color with your intention (e.g., joy, clarity, love, abundance, healing, fulfillment).
Why it works: It integrates manifestation into your aura layers, encouraging soul-led manifestation, not ego-based.
Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer
Katherine Chang is The Everygirl’s Wellness Staff Writer with over five years of experience in the health and wellness space. She navigates the latest wellness topics and trends through expert interviews and studies, and she’s always first in line to try them firsthand.