Wish map: a 'magic pill' or extra stress? A psychologist explains how it works

Probably everyone dreams of having their wishes come true at the snap of a finger. In search of that very «magic pill,» people are willing to pay huge amounts of money and go through numerous marathons and courses. Fortunately, the internet now offers a large number of techniques that, according to their creators, will help fulfill even the boldest dreams. One such method is creating a wish map. An izh1.ru correspondent contacted clinical psychologist and CBT therapist Anastasia Kornilova to find out whether wish maps really work or if it«s just another trick of scam artists.

What is a wish map?

«The essence of a wish map is creating a collage of images of desired material and non-material goods. It can be anything — from an apartment and a car to a wedding and a child,« said psychologist Anastasia Kornilova.

To create a wish map, you need to take a sheet of paper or poster board, divide it into sectors, glue images that symbolize the fulfillment of your wishes, and write helpful affirmations next to them that contain settings for «successful success.» You can use pictures from the internet, magazines, and books or buy a ready-made set on a marketplace.

It is recommended to place the wish map in a visible place so that you always have a visualization of your dream life in front of your eyes.

Why have wish maps become so popular?

Recently, the idea that you can attract what you want by the power of thought has been gaining momentum again on the internet. Want to get your ex back? Formulate the request correctly, send it to the universe, and sincerely believe that everything will work out, and then success in love is guaranteed. Just don«t use the particle »not« and don»t obsess over the result: otherwise, the desired person will never knock on your door.

On marketplaces, books by Joe Dispenza about the power of the subconscious are selling out, videos by bloggers making content on this topic are getting millions of views. Scam artists launch wish marathons where they teach how to correctly formulate an intention so that the universe will definitely understand what exactly you want from it. Affirmations for attracting money, subliminals for weight loss and fixing an overbite, candles with incantations — people are desperately looking for a «magic pill» that will solve all their problems.

With the popularity of the topic, the demand for wish maps has also increased. After all, they are also connected to the idea of the power of thought: read affirmations, visualize, and you will succeed. However, is that really the case?

Does the wish map really work?

On the internet, you can find a huge number of reviews of this technique. Among them, many are positive. Some netizens devoutly believe in the power of the wish map.

«I didn«t really believe in wish maps until one day I tried to make one myself. As I recall, I came across a video about this technique on a social network. Before the New Year, I printed out pictures from the internet and got to work. I really liked it, but I was still skeptical. Three years later, I found that wish map in the closet and, to my surprise, realized that almost everything had come true! I went on vacation to Egypt, as I wanted, built my own house, and started a business. It was all in my wish map!» — one of our readers shared.

However, is there any magic in wish maps? Is it really necessary to send «requests to the universe»?

From a psychological point of view, a wish map is not some magical tool, but just one of the ways to visualize goals. It can work as a kind of kick, a push to action. Looking at a poster with pictures of your dream car and house, a person more clearly understands what they want to achieve. This may encourage them not to sit still, but to step by step change their life for the better.

«A wish map can work as a way to motivate yourself or keep your goals in focus. However, in this regard, it is not a specific tool. You will get the same result if you draw a balance wheel or simply write down your dreams and values on a piece of paper. And setting goals using SMART can be even more useful,« commented Anastasia Kornilova.

SMART — a management technique, the essence of which is to make abstract goals understandable, specific, and achievable. According to this approach, a goal must meet five criteria: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

At the same time, as the psychologist notes, there is nothing surprising in the fact that people continue to wait for a miracle. It«s all in our nature.

«People always want simple solutions for complex issues. This is a normal human desire that has been and will be at all times. However, it is important not to lose critical thinking, especially in health matters.

If we talk about me personally, I don«t believe that you can attract anything into your life with just the power of thought. With clients, I discuss their needs, values, aspirations, and degree of life satisfaction, conduct a motivational interview, and then we together draw up a plan for change. A »magic pill« does not exist. Any goal requires effort.

And strictly speaking, the same Dispenza is not a researcher in the classical, academic sense of the word. You can find similar ideas in a large amount of literature of a near-esoteric nature.»

Can a wish map harm a person?

Like any motivational technique, the wish map has its downside. It turns out that this format is not suitable for everyone. In some cases, creating a wish map can even lead to a person trying with all their might to avoid implementing the planned plans. According to Anastasia Kornilova, individual characteristics of our character and psyche play a big role here:

«For people with increased anxiety and perfectionism, the map can turn from a source of motivation into a source of stress. A rigid attachment to a specific ideal picture of the future creates internal pressure. Instead of inspiration, a person begins to experience anxiety because they are falling behind their own plan.

Paradoxically, but a big goal sometimes triggers an avoidance mechanism. This is familiar to many from work or study: when a project is too important and large-scale, it«s easier to wash the floors in the entire house or sort out the closet, just to avoid starting the task. This is how the psyche protects itself from the fear of not coping and not meeting the high expectations that we ourselves have invented.

You don«t need to give up on a big dream, but remember: it may be more effective to plan small steps that you can take right now to get closer to the desired.»

For whom is the wish map technique suitable?

«The answer is simple — anyone who wants to create a wish map. Just don«t forget that it»s important to make real efforts to achieve the result. And any motivation is good if it doesn«t carry the idea of self-flagellation and hypercontrol,» — commented the expert.

However, is it necessary to spend money on books and consultations on creating a wish map? Specialists dealing with this topic (numerologists, tarot readers, astrologers, coaches, and gurus of «successful success») say that certain rules must be followed, otherwise nothing will work out. This concerns not only the wording of affirmations but also other subtleties, including the attitude with which you approach the matter. Some even hold special meetings where they tell how to correctly compose such motivational posters.

In fact, it«s not that complicated here. You have the right to decide for yourself how to glue pictures on your wish map and what additional decorative elements to use. You can divide the sheet into sectors, as advised on the internet, or do it as your creative soul requires. After all, the wish map has no special magical properties. It is just another way to get a boost of motivation on the way to fulfilling a dream. And you can spend money on an English class, a trip to the gym, or a session with a psychologist — on things that will at least take you one step closer to achieving your goal and global changes in your life.