The Real Reason Your Manifestations Aren't Manifesting
A couple of years ago, when I was pregnant with my son, I encountered a technique that completely changed the way I approach life and manifestation. It happened during a hypnobirthing course, of all places, when I discovered something called scent anchoring. The idea was simple but profound: a particular scent, chosen by you, could evoke a deep sense of calm and relaxation by the association you’ve cultivated, even during stressful or overwhelming moments (like, say, giving birth). But what really blew me away was how a single whiff of a scent could transport me back to a specific time, place, or emotion with such vividness it felt like I was living it all over again - I think we have all had that experience with a specific smell.
This got me thinking. If scent had this incredible power to bring us back to such a specific moment in the past, could it also help us step into the emotions and energy of the future we want to create? In other words, a future memory? Could it anchor us into our dreams and make them feel so real that our minds and bodies couldn’t tell the difference? That question lingered with me and eventually became the foundation for one of the most transformative steps in Bloom & Believe’s signature ritual—using scent to anchor into our dreams into reality.
Why Scent Is So Powerful
Let’s talk science for a moment. The reason scent is so uniquely tied to memory and emotion is all thanks to the way our brains process smells. Unlike sights and sounds, which take a more indirect route through the brain, scents head straight to the olfactory bulb. From there, they connect directly to the amygdala and hippocampus—the brain’s emotional and memory centres. This is why a certain perfume can instantly remind you of a loved one or the smell of fresh-cut grass can bring you back to childhood summers. It’s like a shortcut to your emotional core.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting. When we associate a scent with a particular memory or feeling, our brain relives that experience as if it’s happening right now. This emotional immediacy is what makes scent such a powerful tool for manifestation. By pairing a scent with the emotions and energy of your dreams, you can begin to feel those dreams as though they’ve already come true. And when you feel it, you align yourself with it—mentally, emotionally, and energetically.
My Personal Journey with Scent Anchoring
For me, scent anchoring has been a game-changer. There have been so many moments—times of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or just plain old overwhelm—when I’ve felt completely disconnected from my goals. In those moments, reaching for the scent I’ve tied to my dream reality has been like pressing a reset button. The instant I inhale it, I’m transported back to the energy of what I’m creating. It’s no longer just a goal floating out there somewhere; it feels real, tangible, already mine.
This practice has taught me that manifestation isn’t just about thinking positive thoughts or repeating affirmations. It’s about embodying the energy and emotions of what you want. It’s about feeling it in with every fibre of your being. And scent anchoring has become one of my favourite ways to do just that.
How to Use Scent Anchoring for Manifestation
Here’s how it works: when you pair a specific scent with your intentions or visualisations, you create a “scent anchor.” This anchor acts as a bridge, allowing you to step into the mental and emotional state of your desired reality every time you encounter that scent. It’s like having a direct line to the future you’re manifesting.
To make this practice effective, consistency is key. One way to start is by using our Bloom Beyond Belief essential oil blend during your manifestation rituals. This blend combines cedarwood (for grounding and stability), geranium (for heart-centred intentions), and tangerine (for creativity and joy). Each oil was chosen for its unique ability to align your energy with your dreams.
Here’s a simple ritual to try:
Apply the oil to your pulse points or inhale it deeply.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself living your dream life. Don’t just see it—feel it. What emotions come up? What does it smell like, sound like, taste like?
Let the scent anchor you to this vision. The more vividly you experience it, the stronger the connection becomes.
The Science Behind Scent and the Subconscious
So why does this work? It all comes down to the subconscious mind. Research shows that up to 95% of our actions are driven by subconscious programming—those automatic beliefs, habits, and reactions that run beneath the surface. The subconscious doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined, especially when an elevated emotions are involved. By pairing a scent with the feeling of your dream already being real, you’re essentially training your subconscious to accept it as truth. And when your subconscious believes in your vision, it starts to align your thoughts, actions, and decisions with making it a reality, it continues working on autopilot - only now its operating in alignment with your dreams!
Enhancing the Practice with Sound and Theta Brainwaves
At Bloom & Believe, we take scent anchoring a step further by combining it with sound and brainwave entrainment. Our signature ritual video features crystal singing bowls that guide you into a theta brainwave state—a deeply relaxed and receptive state where your subconscious mind is most open to change and belief reprogramming. When you pair this state with visualisation, emotion, and our essential oil blend, it creates a multi-sensory experience that deeply embeds your dreams into your subconscious.
Crafting Your Ritual
We’ve carefully designed our Bloom Beyond Belief essential oil blend to support this practice. Here’s why each ingredient is so special:
Cedarwood: Grounding and stabilising, cedarwood helps you feel rooted and resilient, perfect for when you need a little extra strength to hold onto your vision.
Geranium: Known as the “essential oil of the heart,” geranium encourages emotional balance and heart-centered intentions. It helps you connect deeply to your desires.
Tangerine: Bright and uplifting, tangerine inspires creativity, optimism, and joy, reminding you to approach your dreams with curiosity and excitement.
To create your own ritual, apply the oil before a visualisation exercise or during our guided meditation as part of the Signature Ritual video. Let the scent, sound, and imagery work together to anchor your dreams in your mind and body. Then, whenever you need a boost or an inspiring download, reconnect with the scent to reignite the feelings and energy of your future self.
Reprogramming Your Mind for Manifestation
The more you practice, the stronger your new neural pathways become. Over time, the scent becomes a powerful ally, instantly reminding you of your vision and bringing you back to a place of confidence and belief. It shifts your subconscious from doubt to possibility, paving the way for inspired action and synchronicities to flow into your life.
With our Bloom Beyond Belief essential oil blend, you’re not just visualising your dreams—you’re living them, here and now. Let this practice guide you, inspire you, and remind you that your dreams aren’t just possible; they’re already unfolding.
