Breaking Free from the Trap of External Validation in Your Spiritual Practice

Feb 10

For the longest time, I simply wanted someone to tell me what to do. To have the instructions given to me so I didn’t have to go down the “wrong” path.

Especially when it came to the spiritual world. I felt like I wasn’t good enough and my intuitive gifts. I wanted to be very clairvoyant and have visions and to connect more deeply with the spiritual realm. I took so many classes, read books and wanted to be like the spiritual teachers I admired - yet, I couldn’t do what they did.

I was constantly looking outside of myself for validation - thinking if I could just follow their exact program, tap into their story, and do exactly what they did, I would unlock the same abilities and success they had.

I believed that by replicating their journey, I would be able to see clearly, feel connected and experience the same depth of spiritual wisdom.

The Trap of External Validation

What I didn’t realize at the time was the constant search for validation was preventing me from truly embracing my own path.

The more I tried to mirror my the experience of others, the more I didn’t trust my own abilities. I spend so much time looking outside of myself for answers that I wasn’t able to connect with the answers that were already within me.

The need to “fit it” or do it “right” in a way that others had done it left me feeling lost. I was not only disconnected from myself but overwhelmed by the thought that if I didn’t do it their way, I was somehow failing.

Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap

This cycle of comparison left me feeling incomplete. It wasn’t just about achieving the same abilities as others; it was about proving to myself that I was worthy of spiritual insight.

Yet, no matter how hard I tried to replicated others, I still felt unfulfilled.

The breakthrough came when I realized something crucial: my path wasn’t meant to look like theirs. My intuitive gifts weren’t supposed to follow a prescribed route - they were mine to discover and nurture in my own unique way.

Embracing My Own Spiritual Path

Once I began to embrace my own gifts, everything shifted. While I admired the clairvoyants and spiritual teaches I followed, I didn’t need to replicate their experiences.

My gifts are strong in feeling deeply and knowing things in a way that was subtle, yet powerful.

I started to honor this way of connecting with the spiritual world. I realized that it was perfect for me. When I embraced my unique path, I felt truly aligned with myself. In fact, my others gifts of hearing and seeing began to emerge, in my own, unique way.

Why Your Own Gifts Are Perfect For You

If you’re reading this and you’ve struggled with feeling like you need to be more like others to “get it right,” I want you to know something important: Your spiritual gifts, however they manifest, are perfect for you.

There is no one-size-fits-all in the spiritual journey. Whether you feel, know, see or hear your intuitive gifts, they are meant to work in harmony with who you are at your core.

It’s okay if your path looks different. Embrace it. When you stop comparing yourself and start trusting your unique connection to the spiritual world, you open yourself up to a deeper, more authentic experience.

Letting Go of External Validation

As I let go of the need for external validation, I stepped into my power. I stopped following other people’s blueprints and began listening to my own inner guidance. And that’s when I truly started to align with my intuitive gifts in a way that felt authentic and true.

So, if you’re struggling with comparison or wondering why your spiritual journey doesn’t look like someone else’s, I encourage you to take a deep breath and remember this: Your path is your own, and it’s exactly as it should be.

Reflection Prompt: If you’re feeling disconnected from your own intuitive gifts, take a moment to reflect on this question: How can I embrace my unique way of connecting with the spiritual world and trust that it’s perfect for me?

Stacy Stehle is an Ocean Energy Alchemist & Founder of Ocean Energy Wellness.

She helps soulful seekers reconnect with their natural energy flow through holistic practices inspired by the ocean. By integrating the healing power of crystals, essential oils, and ocean wisdom, Stacy guides you on a journey toward inner peace, balance, and lasting resilience.

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