You’re in the midst of a spiritual awakening — but things aren’t feeling as blissful as you imagined.
Sure, you “feel spiritual,” but some days, you’re still lost, listless, and maybe even a bit sluggish.
You wonder: Isn’t life after a spiritual awakening supposed to feel beautiful?
Today we’re unpacking why feeling aimless after significant energetic shifts is perfectly normal and a sign of actual progress.
Then, we’ll discuss a few tools to use when the spiritual blues descend.
Sidebar: You may also like reading about how long a spiritual awakening will last.
What Happens After a Spiritual Awakening?
A spiritual awakening is an amazing experience — but it’s not all fireworks and joy.
There’s work involved, and the journey isn’t always easy or pleasant. After all, we’d never grow or learn if life was a perpetual cakewalk. Adversity and mistakes are our best teachers.
So what happens after spiritual awakening? A few things may occur:
- You’ll probably be able to forgive those who’ve hurt you and easily apologize to people you have hurt.
- Your intuition will be stronger.
- You may feel lost or without direction.
- You’ll enjoy an increased capacity for empathy and compassion.
- You’ll feel more connected to nature and the Universe.
7 Reasons You May Feel Lost After a Spiritual Awakening
Feeling lost after a spiritual awakening is entirely normal. After all, it’s a significant change — which comes with a few growing pains.
1. You Finally “Hear” Yourself
Most people firmly believe that they’re their “own person” — complete with a firm and found voice. In truth, only a tiny fraction of the population operates from a genuinely self-created and self-considered foundation.
Psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists call it “contextual determinism,” which is the idea that we’re all significantly shaped by our guardians, communities, and upbringings.
For example, a child growing up in a nomadic tribe in Outer Mongolia will be a lot different than a kid growing up in the suburbs of Norway.
More often than not, outside influences mold who we are, how we see ourselves and others, in addition to our opinions about the world around us.
But going through a spiritual awakening can change all that. Instead of parroting spoon-fed values, people who experience spiritual awakenings often “hear” their true selves for the first time.
When it sounds completely different than imagined, the experience can be unnerving.
2. You Notice Your Faults for the First Time
Being a human being is beyond complicated — so much so that it’s challenging to understand ourselves and others.
Yet, that doubt doesn’t stop us from holding strong opinions and judging others.
In truth, most people believe they have few flaws. Remaining stubbornly blind to our baggage and blindspots is part of the human condition.
However, individuals who do the work required to experience a genuine spiritual- or self-awakening come face to face with their uglier parts.
It’s never easy. In fact, it sends many people running scared, and they end up spending the rest of their lives in a performative spirituality cycle.
But those who stay the course and wrestle with their shadow selves go through intense periods of self-doubt, shame, and sorrow.
Learning to forgive oneself is the key to salvation in these instances, and getting to the other side feels like a miracle.
3. Your Friends Are Changing
Since spiritual awakenings are a time of transformation, people usually lose old friends during the process. (This is especially true for individuals overcoming addictions.)
Broken friendship bonds can ache. But sometimes, it’s time to move on. You may not even hate them; your lifestyles are just going in different directions.
Regardless, it can be a sad time. Try to remember that new people who compliment and challenge you in good ways are on the way. So keep an eye out!
4. You’re Not Who You Thought You Were
When the veil dropped, you discovered you were not exactly who you thought.
The revelation was more than a bit jarring, and now you’re having difficulty getting back on track.
Again, this is 100% fine. It’s tough. It’s embarrassing. It’s scary. But it’s normal. Get through it by leaning into who you are and accepting yourself — faults and all.
During this process, you’ll find you’re much more tolerant of other people’s peccadillos and missteps, making life a lot less tense, grudge-filled, and toxic.
5. Your Energy Is Fluctuating
Energy shifts can knock you around and make you feel rudderless.
Sometimes, it’s a temporary storm to realign your chakras and aura. Other times, it may last longer than you’d like. Try to take the experience in stride, no matter it comes. Remember, the Universe gives us what we need and what we can handle.
The harder the journey, the more you’ll learn. Try to be thankful for that fact.
6. You Feel Shame
Shame and embarrassment are major human fears and can be paralyzing. Heck, a large chunk of our lives is spent avoiding “mess ups.”
But in truth, most people don’t care much about their mistakes or the wild things they do. Instead, we’re really worried about other people’s reactions to our mistakes.
As discussed, things arise when going through a spiritual or consciousness transformation.
And when those things are less-than-ideal, they can be difficult to accept and may send you down a shame spiral, which is a lonely and confusing place to be.
But there’s good news. The more time spent with shadow elements, the less scary they become.
Furthermore, with the truth firmly in sight, it’s possible to genuinely forgive and find compassion for yourself — which also increases your ability to grant the same to others.
So while you may spend a stretch clearing out emotional cobwebs and facing hard truths, jumping that hurdle will bring you one giant step closer to being extremely comfortable in your own skin.
7. You’re Angry
Anger is a common human emotion. Even the serene Dali Lama admits to getting angry now and again.
Why do energetic transformations metastasize into anger? There are several possibilities.
- Some people grow upset they didn’t do spiritual work earlier on in life.
- Realizing past mistakes can make folks angry about who they once were and still may be.
- Some people grow angry and upset when their spiritual awakening isn’t going as they thought it would.
- Spiritual and energetic work drudges up memories of past traumas most people would rather forget.
Anger often goes hand-in-hand with feelings of loneliness, loss, and instability.
If you find yourself backed into this corner, try anger management meditations and other exercises to process negative emotions, so they don’t overtake you.
More Related Articles
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9 Positive Actions to Take When You Are Feeling Lost After a Spiritual Awakening
We’ve discussed the reasons. Now, let’s talk about solutions regarding what to do after a spiritual awakening if you feel a bit lost.
1. Meditate
Meditation is a powerful tool, and practitioners enjoy many benefits, from enhanced cognitive function to lower blood pressure and better emotional control.
What type of meditation works when you’re feeling lost or lonely during a spiritual awakening? First, try a calming meditation. The only goal is to relax. Once serene, it’s easier for your higher self to heal your body and soul.
Also, consider doing an analytical meditation on the idea of feeling lost. You may discover you’re not floundering but are precisely where you need to be.
2. Journal
Psychologists and psychiatrists agree that journaling is excellent for maintaining good mental health.
Whether you write thrice daily or once a week is your choice, but here are a few tried-and-tested rules that make journaling more effective:
- Try to keep two separate notebooks or files: one for your good thoughts and the other for negative ones.
- Permit yourself to write poorly. Nobody is grading your journal.
- Let the words flow as they come, even if they don’t seem to make sense.
- Whatever schedule you choose, stick with it for at least two months to compare how you feel before and after.
3. Five-Sense Mindfulness Exercise
Humans interpret life through five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Engaging them all in a mindfulness exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress and boost your mood.
They’re a handy tool when weathering a bumpy patch on your spiritual awakening, and you can practice indoors or out. Start with a five-minute session and work yourself up.
4. Get Outside
Did you know that people who spend more leisure time in nature tend to be healthier, live longer, and have better control over their emotional lives?
So what are you waiting for? Get out there!
We get it, though. You’d lounge in the park all day if you had the time and money. Your question is how to cram a bit of fresh air into your busy schedule. Consider these possibilities:
- Walk or ride your bike to work.
- Eat outside when you’re home instead of inside (even if it’s a small balcony).
- Take a walk around your block after dinner each night.
- Get up a half hour early and meditate in a nearby park.
- Start a garden that you tend to on your day off.
Being outside can make a world of difference in your mood. And when you’re feeling lost, it’s just the type of boost you may need.
5. Enlist a Life Coach
There’s no shame in reaching out for help when in need.
Consulting with a life coach or therapist can be a fulfilling experience if you’re in the middle of a significant spiritual awakening. They’re trained to recognize triggers and recognize patterns that may slip your notice.
A professional can also tailor a wellness plan for your exact situation. Besides, having a coach for accountability purposes also makes a big, positive difference for some folks.
6. Try Something New or Volunteer
Getting stuck in your own head can be horrible — especially if it’s a neglected shed full of emotional baggage you’ve yet to recycle or throw away.
How do you snap out of it? Either try something new or look into volunteering in your community. (Note: Don’t expect to pop up at the local soup kitchen and start working. Most places have a screening process.)
Helping others and focusing your thoughts on a new project will almost always pull you out of the doldrums, if even only for a few hours.
7. Lean In to the Wallowing (For a Day or Two)
Don’t listen to anyone who says you should never feel negative or have challenging emotions. Toxic positivity is just as damaging as plain old toxicity. It’s neither healthy nor helpful.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to embrace your loneliness, frustration, or sadness for a few days. We’re not suggesting you enter an indefinite state of wallowing and arrested development, but 48 hours won’t hurt you. In fact, it may even help.
Use the time to think about why you’re feeling the way you are and why. Binge on guilty pleasure programming. Eat treats all day long. Because sometimes, that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
8. Use Affirmations
Affirmations may sound a little silly at first, but they work! Science even says so. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change. It’s why we can learn new things and change our behavior.
The same rules apply to affirmations. Replacing negative self-talk with positive phrases can improve how you think about yourself, others, and the world around you.
9. Exercise
You’re probably tired of hearing it, but exercise is excellent for your body, mind, and soul. People who get moving enjoy considerable benefits.
The list is too long to lay out here, but suffice it to say that individuals who exercise tend to live longer, be smarter, and have better lives.
On a more immediate level, exercise releases endorphins, a feel-good hormone. So if you’re ever feeling down, lost, or unmotivated, work up a sweat.
Final Thought
Don’t be afraid to pursue a spiritual awakening. The good far outweighs the bad, and you’ll stand on firmer, happier ground once you’re done.
