How to Do Pillow Method Shifting

Everything you need to know about this popular shifting method, including how to try it yourself

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Finn Kobler

Last Updated: September 29, 2023 Fact Checked

Have you ever wanted to visit a parallel universe? Then pillow method shifting is perfect for you! A safe, easy form of desired reality travel, the pillow method uses affirmation, manifestation and (you guessed it) a big, comfy pillow to take you from the universe you’re living in to the world of your dreams as you fall asleep. While there is no hard science to prove pillow method shifting works, embracing the “shifting” mindset is still a fun, positive activity to try as it promotes creativity and mindfulness. In this article, we’ll walk you through what the pillow method is, how to perform it, and its benefits. By the end, you’ll be hooked on pillow method shifting!

Section 1 of 5:

What is pillow method shifting?

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Pillow method shifting is a form of reality travel that’s become popular online. Around 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic started flaring up, people (especially on TikTok) began trying to subconsciously “reality shift” (RS) from the stresses of their worlds to a desired reality (DR) of their choosing as a means of escape. One of the most popular forms of RS utilized “the pillow method” where users wrote a script of where they wanted to travel to, placed it under their pillow, and meditated until they fell asleep.^{[1]
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- While no scientific sources claim reality shifting is possible, most people who tried the pillow method reported at least one positive outcome - from a more active imagination to a relaxed, hypnosis-like state.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Pillow Method Shift

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1
Write your reality-shifting script. The first step in pillow method shifting is writing out what your desired reality looks like. Be as specific as possible, writing out key details about yourself (name, age) as well as the reality you’d like to travel to. What does it look, feel, smell, sound like? Who are the specific people in your reality? What are their names? Be as precise as you can!^{[2]
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- Write your script in the present tense, as if this reality is currently happening to you.
- If you’d like to travel to a fictional world like Hogwarts or Wonderland, regular shifters have scripting templates for those places they’d recommend.^{[3]
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Once you’ve scripted out your DR exactly as you’d like to experience it, place the script under your pillow and lie down, ready to catch some z’s.^{[4]
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3
Start meditating. To have a vivid experience in your desired reality, it’s important to clear your mind of the stress in your current reality (CR). Make sure you have a quiet, clear, dependable space to shift from. Then, practice mindfulness by taking some deep breaths, and letting your anxious thoughts quiet.
- Consider playing subliminal or ambient sounds while meditating. Clearing the mind has helped shifters begin their DR manifestation more easily.^{[5]
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Once your mind is clear, focus on your desired reality. Concentrate on the images, characters, and sensory experiences of the world you wish to travel inside.^{[6]
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5
Manifest your positive affirmations. As you start to doze off, start saying positive affirmations about your positive reality out loud or in your head. Good examples of positive affirmations include, but are not limited to:^{[7]
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- “I shift easily.”
- “I am happy in my desired reality.”
- “When I go to sleep, I will wake up in ____”
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Fall asleep and travel! Combining your intention and affirmation as you fall asleep should help trigger your subconscious, sending you into your desired reality once you start snoozing. Enjoy!^{[8]
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- Remember, desired reality shifting is different for everyone. Stay open and try not to have too specific expectations of what your shifting experience might look like.

Section 3 of 5:

Reasons to Pillow Method Shift

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There are lots of reasons to try reality shifting, but arguably the most common in recent years has been people’s desire to live in a world they’ve dreamt about. Whether it’s a real city they’ve always wanted to visit but can’t afford like Paris, or the complete fantasy realm of Mordor, the pillow method offers the chance to experience these places in a realistic way.^{[9]
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Reality shifting doesn’t have to be about the place. Sometimes, the pillow method can help you visualize people you miss. Chosen realities aren’t impaired by physical distance or death. If there’s somebody you’d like to talk to but can’t get ahold of, shifting is a unique way to gain their insight.^{[10]
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Jumping to a parallel universe where you’re a person you aspire to be can give your subconscious firsthand knowledge of improving your current reality. If you make more money in your DR, jot down how and why when you wake up in your CR.
Meditating, listening to subliminals, and saying positive affirmations are all helpful methods to reality shift, but they’re also just good at raising vibrations. Whether you wake up from a visit to a DR or not, teaching your subconscious to manifest this positivity gets your imagination and confidence more active.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 5:

What does pillow method shifting feel like?

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Everybody has a somewhat different sensation during and after RS. Some users say it resembles a hypnotic, trance-like state. Others say it’s like a more vivid form of lucid dreaming. Shifting via the pillow method is a unique, entirely individual experience which leaves a different impression on everyone.^{[12]
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Section 5 of 5:

Is pillow method shifting dangerous?

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Because pillow method shifting is done entirely asleep and does not engage the body, only the brain, there is nothing physically dangerous about reality shifting via the pillow method. However, be careful. Using RS to avoid responsibilities and dissociate from the real world can be problematic.^{[13]
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