Synchronicity: How to Make it Happen in Your Life
Julia Cameron, writer of The Artist’s Way, is a big believer in synchronicity—the idea that if you move towards your goals, the entire universe is going to pitch in to help you in one way or the other. And, if you think about it, everyone has experienced synchronicity at some point or the other in their lives.
It may have been a small synchronistic experience, such as when an outfit just came together and you got several compliments on it. Or it may have been a bigger one—a job, a scholarship or even a relationship that made your life better.
Synchronicity vs. Hard Work
Most of us don’t pause to think about the workings of synchronicity in our lives. When things come together in a synchronistic way, we just call it coincidence. Or we think that we’re experiencing good things simply because we’ve worked hard for them.
But there are times when we’re successful at things that we didn’t even work that hard on. Maybe you got in touch with an old friend to ask her how things were going in her company, and, to your surprise, she offered you a job. Or maybe you came up with an idea for a product that would help people get healthier, and it took off.
One of the characteristics of synchronicity is that you don’t work too hard at it; it just seems to happen. It’s a happy coincidence, a lucky break. It’s hard to believe in this type of lucky break, but everyone has experienced it at least once in their lives.
Are the Conditions Right for Synchronicity?
You may find that synchronicity occurs when a certain set of conditions is fulfilled. Here are some of the things you might experience right before something synchronistic happens:
1. Less Pressure: When you’re feeling less pressure at work or in your personal life, that makes it more likely that something synchronistic is about to happen. It’s a bit ironic, but when things are going well, at work or at home, then more good things are likely to occur. You get into what you might experience as an upward spiral.
2. Better Mood: When you’re in a good mood, you’re opening the door to synchronicity. This might partly be because you think more clearly when you feel good. You’re willing to consider all the possibilities. You’re willing to look outside the box for a solution. And you don’t keep second-guessing yourself.
3. Better Relationships: When your personal relationships are going well, you’re more likely to do well in other areas of your life too. Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist who teaches at Harvard, talks about a 75-year study which followed men from various walks of life. The only common denominator among all of them was that the ones who had better interpersonal relationships were happier and healthier.
4. Exposure to Nature: Whether it’s just a few potted plants on your windowsill, a shady lane that you like to walk on, an ocean view from your window or a vacation to a place with a lot of natural beauty, exposure to nature is calming and creates the conditions needed for synchronicity.
5. Health: You may not realize it, but when you’re eating better and exercising more, you’re also thinking more clearly. So when opportunity strikes, you’re more likely to recognize it and accept it into your life. This may not be something that happens immediately, but it does happen in the long run.
How to Make Synchronicity Happen
Once you’ve started recognizing synchronicity in your life, and you’ve started being conscious of the conditions that lead into it, you can also deliberately make it happen. Start with smaller synchronous things and work your way up to the bigger ones. Here are some things that can help:
1. Don’t Pressure Yourself: You may think that this is easy to say but not so easy to do. After all, work pressure, relationship pressure and other types of pressure do exist. You can’t just get rid of them. Or can you? Just think of small things you can do that might reduce the pressure on yourself. Did a friend offer you a loan to put towards your new company? Why not take it? Does your significant other offer to help you out with chores? Why not say “yes”? Did someone offer to rent out the room over the garage, exactly when you needed more cash? The fact is that synchronous things are always happening, but we’re constantly saying “no” to them. Practice saying “yes” to things that might make your life better.
2. Have More Fun: If you find yourself ruminating over things, why not take a break? Go for a walk in nature, call up an old friend, watch an upbeat movie or read a fun book. Sometimes, even cleaning out your closet or trying out a new recipe can be fun. And fun doesn’t have to cost money; the best things in life are free! When you’re feeling more upbeat, you’ll find that you’re more receptive towards synchronicity.
3. Meditate: Many people think that meditation is not for them. After all, it’s not easy to stop whatever you’re doing and just focus on your breath for fifteen minutes. However, there are many ways to meditate. Just a simple Google search yields a number of guided meditations with beautiful videos, music and a calming voice telling you exactly what to do next. Or you can try writing meditation, as recommended by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way. Just write a few pages of whatever comes to mind without censoring yourself. Get your worries and anxieties out on the page. After trying one of these techniques, your mind will be so clear and lucid, you’ll come up with amazing ideas which are sure to lead into synchronicity.
4. Eat Clean and Work Out: This is not necessarily a quick-fix method for synchronicity. But when you eat well and exercise, you are likely to see a shift in your life. And eating well doesn’t have to be boring either. Experiment with soups, salads, whole grain breads and smoothies to find what you enjoy. And then, be sure to add that to your diet. Keep in mind that working out—even if it’s just a walk—helps get rid of toxins and clears the mind, leading into more synchronicity.
Synchronicity is real, and you can make it happen in your life. Don’t just wait for your lucky break to happen. Take action. Create the conditions necessary for synchronicity. Clear your mind, take care of your health and practice saying “yes” to all the good things that are waiting to happen. Even one simple action can send you on an upward spiral of synchronicity. Keep in mind these words by Joseph Campbell: “When we follow our bliss, we are met by a thousand unseen helping hands.”