Manifestation in the Age of Algorithms: Align Your Energy, Not Just Your Feed

Everything is online in the world today, and social media plays a significant role in shaping our desires. With algorithms curating the content you see online, it’s easy to get lost in the enticing aesthetics and forget the essence of manifestation. 

Similar to the saying “you are what you eat,” one could argue that in these days where people are chronically online, you become the content you consume—so, similar to how we focus on eating healthy, to become the best version of yourself, you need to be aware of what you feed your mind. 

We at Purple Forest believe that it’s time to shift the focus from merely curating a visually appealing feed to aligning your energy with your authentic goals and values, and having your feed reflect that. 

 

The Social Media Illusion

We’re all aware that social media only allows us a peek into others’ lives—a polished version of their reality, showcasing just the highlights. But it’s still very difficult to keep that in mind as you’re being wowed by never-ending vacations and seemingly effortless aesthetic lifestyle videos. This often leads to comparison and unconsciously diminishing our self-worth—and sometimes, the things that lead to this are things we never really wanted or needed anyway!

Instead of chasing trends and aesthetics, we believe it is crucial to dig deeper and understand what truly resonates with you. The first step of manifestation practice begins with developing self-awareness and clarity about your values and goals. 

To learn more about setting your goals to start your manifestation journey, read our blog and buy our guided workbook to make your dreams come true! 

 

What You Watch Influences You

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been compelled by advertisements and endorsements we see online. However, that’s not the extent of the influence; everything you see online has an impact on your mood, whether it is an entertaining multi-part story-time series or harrowing news about a country on the other side of the world. It is important to keep up to date with the world, but watching endless negative or mindless content is also detrimental to your mental health. 

So, instead of having unrealistic expectations of completely abstaining from the internet, being more mindful about the amount of content and how it affects us would be a good place to begin. 

Choose Your Content with Intent

It is very easy to fall into a zone of mindless scrolling—when they offer no value to you, and you’re not really processing the content beyond sharing memes. While it is a “little break” from your life, most times, you end up spending hours scrolling and regretting the time you lost. 

Manifestation isn’t just about visualizing what you want; it’s about aligning your energy with your intentions. Here are a few quick tips on how you can do this:

- Reflect on your values. Take the time to identify what really matters to you and compare it with your current goals.

- Now, use this as a reference to see if your actions are aligned with your intentions. Besides the ads and the trending memes, does your feed reflect what you want to see in your life?

- If it doesn’t, then make the conscious decision to disengage with that content. If there is a continuous barrage of videos on your feed that don’t add value to you or your goals, it doesn’t belong in your manifestation process.

- Engage with the content you want to see more of—when you visualize your goals as a manifestation practice, and the content fits into your vision, seek out more like it. 

For more tips, guidance, and prompts on how to visualise your goals, take a peek into our manifestation journal! 

 

Take a Break!

You don’t need to start the day looking at your phone. Seriously. The less we look at our screens, the better for our eyes and our brain. Starting to look at your phone before you wake up properly creates a pattern of behaviour that takes a toll on us. 

Tip: Give yourself permission to step back—reduce your screen time or do a social media/digital detox—and you’ll see that it can help clear your mind and allow you to focus on your personal growth by engaging in other activities that nurture your spirit and align with your goals. Embrace a little “me (minus my phone) time.” Sit with your thoughts. 

No matter what type of content you are consuming, you can always overconsume. Positive or negative, it is still overstimulation. 

 

Build a Community

Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can amplify your manifestation journey. 

- Seek out groups or individuals who share similar values and encourage authentic growth, online and offline. 

- Engage in discussions and experiences that help you stay grounded and aligned with your true self. 

As you incorporate these practices, you will notice that the content you consume will shift. Perhaps you’re listening to more podcasts about personal growth, or learning skills via YouTube instead of relying on autoplay to decide your next video. Nourish your brain and your soul with content that will help you align your energy and practice self-improvement. 

In the age of algorithms, it’s essential to look beyond the surface and cultivate a deeper connection with your true self. By aligning your energy with your values and goals, you can manifest authentically and create a life that resonates with who you truly are. 

Remember, manifestation is not just about what you see on your feed; it’s about the energy you bring into the world. Embrace your journey, let your true self shine, and find your calm.

Additional reading: 

- Lin, L., Narender, R., & Zak, P. J. (2022). Why people keep watching: neurophysiologic immersion during video consumption increases viewing time and influences behavior. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1053053 

- Ncc, S. a. P. L. (2019, November 21). Seven strategies to help you take charge of your digital well-being. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-mentality/201911/how-maintain-your-digital-wellness-instagram Accessed 15 September 2025

- What the algorithm teaches you: A reflection on social media and self-worth | BPS. (n.d.). BPS. https://www.bps.org.uk/news/what-algorithm-teaches-you-reflection-social-media-and-self-worth Accessed 15 September 2025