What Is Reality Shifting?

What if you could take a break from your everyday reality and step into an alternate reality? That’s essentially what reality shifting is. It involves transferring your subconscious awareness to a different reality.

The phenomenon has become a popular trend, thanks to platforms like TikTok. People are sharing their experiences and techniques, as others voice their skepticism. There’s a lot of information, confusion, and doubts surrounding reality shifting on the internet.

So here, we will demystify the concept of reality shifting–what it is, whether it’s possible, induction methods, and more. Whether you’re a dreamer, a skeptic, or just a curious mind, you'll find the answers to your questions.

Understanding Reality Shifting

Reality shifting (RS) is transferring your awareness from your current reality (CR) to a desired reality (DR). The desired reality you shift to could be a well-known fictional world or something purely out of your imagination.

The idea of reality shifting has become a trendy topic on TikTok and other platforms. Its popularity increased rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic and people are still practicing it, a few years later.

There’s no scientific evidence on whether someone can go from one reality to another. Some scholars have tried to make sense of RS, comparing it to other popular mental activities like daydreaming, lucid dreaming, hypnosis, and dissociation.  

They found that many reality shifters prefer well-known fictional worlds like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Shadowhunters.

More research is needed to understand reality shifting better and its risks and benefits. Most of what we know so far is based on self-reported experiences. At this point, scholars believe that reality shifting is an extremely immersive type of daydreaming.

The affirmations used to induce reality shifting can be similar to those used to encourage lucid dreaming. However, lucid dreaming happens while the brain is asleep. And while you can control the dream, there's less emphasis on predetermining the dream.

The Multiverse Theory and Reality Shifting

There are many explanations for shifting realities and you’ll get a different answer depending on who you ask.

The multiverse theory is a common explanation. This theory suggests that there may be other universes apart from the one we live in. One implication of this theory is that in these universes, there are other copies of you. These other ‘yous’ look like you and live a life that is exactly like yours, down to your memories and choices.

So because your consciousness already exists in other realities you can simply shift your awareness to the ‘you’ in another universe.

Common Methods Used to Shift Realities

There are over 10 methods of shifting realities that shifters have been using. Some of the common ones include:

The Alice in Wonderland Method: to shift your reality using this method, imagine you are sitting against a tree and someone from your desired reality (DR) runs past you. Follow them until you fall down a rabbit hole behind them. Keep falling and when you get to the bottom, visualize a doorway to your desired reality.

The Raven Method: this is a popular reality shifting method that’s widely recommended for beginners because it’s easy. You lie down on your back, limbs stretched out in a starfish position. Count to 100 or down from 100–you can choose to have RS subliminals or affirmations playing in the background.

The Elevator Method: imagine yourself in an elevator going up to your desired reality. Recite affirmations between each floor. At some point, you’ll feel like you’ve reached your DR. Exit the elevator.

The Pillow Method: write a detailed script and affirmations for your DR on a piece of paper. Repeat the affirmations and put it under your pillow as you go to sleep.

Benefits and Risks of Reality Shifting

People have been immersing themselves in fantasies and practicing mental activities like reality shifting for a long time. For some, it’s a source of comfort and for others, it’s something that brings them joy. Reality shifting can give a sense of companionship with imagined characters.

This might explain why it became more popular during the pandemic when people were in lockdown. An increase in maladaptive daydreaming was also observed during that period.

RS can help you express yourself creatively since you can design a desired reality of your choice. There’s no limit. Additionally, escaping to a fantasy world you like can be calming and could even be a good stress management strategy.  

But what about the risks?

Is Reality Shifting Harmful?

Reality shifting can be harmful. In the scholarly article referenced above, RS can lead to a decreased sense of mental control. One shifter reported being unable to take a break from reality shifting.

It is also possible for habitual reality shifters to develop a problem distinguishing reality from alternate realities. Being excessively immersed in these fictional or alternate worlds can make it harder for them to cope with real life.

RS can be closely associated with dissociative absorption (DA) where a person experiences a disconnect from themselves. This is especially true where reality shifters report that their “clones” take over their bodies in their desired realities. While in that state their current reality body goes on autopilot. This could lead to a decreased sense of agency.

Reality Shifting FAQs

Is Reality Shifting Just Daydreaming?

Not really. Reality shifting is not exactly daydreaming but the two are similar in some ways. Daydreaming is when you slightly dissociate and your mind wanders drifting to fantasies and spontaneous thoughts. RS is much more immersive and sometimes the reality shifter can physically act out some DR activities.

Is Reality Shifting Real or Fake?

Many people report being able to shift their awareness to alternate realities. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this phenomenon.

Conclusion

Reality shifting involves transferring your awareness to a desired reality (DR) from the current reality (CR). This desired reality could be a fictional world like Harry Potter or your own imagined reality. There are many methods that people use to shift realities including the Raven method, Alice in Wonderland, and the Elevator method.

RS can have its benefits, like alleviating stress and bringing joy to the shifter. However, there’s the risk of addiction, and some shifters report not being able to take a break from shifting. Most of what we know about reality shifting comes from self-reported experiences and there’s no scientific evidence to back it up.

If you decide to try and shift your reality, practice caution and avoid doing it excessively.