15 Signs of Spiritual Awakening
(Plus What Nobody Warns You About)
What is Spiritual Awakening?
Honestly? I'm not sure anyone has a clean answer anymore. I feel like this has become such a buzzword lately... And I wonder, has the real meaning gotten lost somewhere in all the overuse? Or maybe I'm just being cynical.
I’m not sure if I am the only one but have these questions ever nagged at you too? Have I awakened? Am I awakening? Am I even on the right path? I ask myself this constantly as I move through this human existence, and ugh... it can get exhausting.
Here's what I've come to know : this so-called "spiritual awakening" is so much more than words could ever capture. It's a feeling. A sensation. A knowing. And yes, I know that sounds esoteric… but stay with me.
Because here's the thing... I've actually stopped using that term altogether.
As a brain health trainer, I know how much the words we use shape our experience, so I try to keep my language tangible. (I hope this helps you too.)
"Spiritual awakening" always sounded to me like some far-off place. Like a part of me had been asleep this whole time, incapacitated, waiting to be shaken awake. But from my own experience? That unified consciousness, God-center, higher self... whatever language resonates with you... was never asleep. It's always been there, quietly trying to get my attention.
So instead, I use the language of expanding awareness.
Because for me, that's what is actually happening. I am becoming aware of subtleties that were there the whole time.
The synchronicities. The quiet knowing. The subtle shift in how something feels. I'm just finally giving them the attention they deserve.
And yes, there are a dozen other phrases out there for us humans becoming aware of the fact that we're part of something bigger than ourselves. Another buzzword in this space is "expanding consciousness." I get it, I just don't personally vibe with it.
But here's what actually matters, not which phrase is "right," but which one resonates with you.
A Quick Exercise Before We Continue
So let's do a little practice together. I promise, I'll get to the signs and symptoms in just a moment, but humor me first.
Take three deep breaths into your heart center. Really feel the breath move in and out of your chest... get present with the sensations in your body. Now, say each of these phrases (out loud or in your head) and then, this is the important part, sense what happens inside of you. That sensation is what tells you which phrase resonates with your soul.
I am spiritually awakening.
I am expanding my consciousness.
I am expanding my awareness.
I am... [whatever else you want to try].
Got it? Good. Hold onto that phrase, because from here on out, every time you see the words "spiritual awakening" on this page, I want you to mentally swap in your phrase instead.
Before We Talk About the Signs...
Alright, alright… now let's get to what you actually clicked on this for: the signs and symptoms of spiritual awakening. (Did you use your phrase? Don't forget!)
So, funny enough, my nursing background makes me love the phrase "signs and symptoms" (S&S). I spent years memorizing the S&S of every disease under the sun and for once, these are symptoms most people are craving. Anyhow, I digress. Back to it.
One thing before I share the list: this isn't exhaustive, and it's not gospel. These are things I've personally lived through and things I've read across various spiritual teachings . And please don't beat yourself up if you've only experienced one of these. Or none. That does not mean you're any less on "The Path."
There's one more thing I need to say first, though… something I used to struggle with, and honestly threw myself some pretty solid pity parties over.
This journey back to our true selves… It's just like breathing.
There will be contraction. There will be expansion.
We're human. We're imperfect. I don't know a single person who's constantly expanding. If they exist, I haven't met them, and I doubt you have either.
So don't hold yourself to that standard.
There will be moments (days, maybe even months or years) where you fall back into beliefs, habits, or actions you know aren't aligned with your soul anymore. That's okay. You're just exhaling. Give yourself grace, and trust that the next inhale, the next expansion, is already on its way.
And I'm not just saying this to make you feel better. Ancient texts mention this pattern again and again. This isn't just some Daniellism.
15 Signs You May Be Experiencing Spiritual Awakening
Now, let's jump into the signs and symptoms... but remember, this isn't just about the experience itself. It's about how it's affected your life ever since.
A quick term acknowledgment: "The Path." I've used it, and I'll keep using it moving forward. But what the ham is "The Path," anyway?
Again, just my perspective here… but it's the journey. The expansion of your awareness toward the knowing that there's something more outside of yourself. That everything is connected (think quantum physics... oh boy, I could really go into a tangent about this, but I'll save you from the rant). And you? You're the explorer. The inquisitive being. The seeker of what can't be explained. You know, The unseen. The presence. The oneness… the parts of life that refuse to be boxed up neat and tidy with a bow on it.
So... does any of this sound familiar?
You've become obsessed with spiritual teachings — even the ones that sound like total gibberish and you can't quite wrap your head around yet.
The things that used to fill your “fun” nights — the wine-fueled gossip sessions, the reality TV marathons, the drama that used to feel like entertainment — start to feel... well, more heavier than fun. Like static instead of relief.
You find yourself craving fruits, vegetables, nourishing foods that help replenish your body. (This was my very first sign.)
You start seeking out others who are walking "The Path" too.
You've spontaneously become a cryer — not out of sadness, but gratitude — when you witness an act of compassion or something that makes your heart feel warm and squooshy. Que the waterworks.
You feel pulled toward creating. Painting, dancing, plating food, organizing a junk drawer, doodling — even the small stuff feels expressive. It's like... chef's kiss.
Positive affirmations actually start working for you.
You find yourself drawn to going inward — meditation, yoga — and even when it's challenging, you feel the benefit from the time you just spent in your inner world.
You notice yourself becoming more sensitive, more vulnerable in situations... but instead of feeling weak, you feel strong. (So many paradoxes on “The Path”.)
You may find it harder to connect with people who have zero interest in walking "the Path." Hey, wanna talk about how to show compassion to someone you hate? No? Okay... so, how's work?
When you get quiet and turn inward, you feel a "presence." Something you can't quite put into words, but it's there. This is what I first felt in meditation — and I remember thinking, Sugar, get me my backpack and hiking boots, I'm walking this path for the long haul.
And then, the ripple effect starts…
You start questioning career choices, relationships, even routines you once accepted without a second thought — not out of dissatisfaction, but because you're finally asking does this actually align with who I'm becoming?
You notice yourself reacting differently to the small stuff that used to send you spiraling — a snide comment, a canceled plan, a moment of friction with someone you love. You still feel it. You just don't stay stuck in it the way you used to.
You find yourself able to sit with hard emotions instead of reacting to them right away — letting them move through you instead of exploding out of you or getting buried down deep.
Fear starts to loosen its grip in small, unexpected ways. You catch yourself doing the thing you would've talked yourself out of a year ago.
You feel a growing pull to be of service to others — not because someone asked, not because you're trying to earn brownie points with the universe, but because something in you just... shifts. You catch yourself holding space for the barista mid-latte because her boyfriend's an @$$hole and now you're invested in her healing journey too. It's like your soul signed you up for volunteer duty and forgot to send you the memo — you just know, somewhere deep down, that showing up for other people is part of showing up for yourself.
A Gentle Reminder
Again, this list isn't exhaustive. And if none of these resonate with you? That doesn't mean you're not on The Path. Often, whatever makes you feel divinely connected, whatever makes you question your reality... that's a sign in itself.
So be proud of yourself. Seriously, take a moment to smile, to give yourself some gratitude. Maybe even give yourself a big hug (don’t worry, no one is watching and even if they are pfft you deserve it!)
Because yes, there's bliss on the other side of this. But there's also a lot of conditioning to unravel first. And a lot of hard looks in the mirror to get there.
And here's a caveat I need to add — a big one.
Because as beautiful as this path is, it is a process. An ever-unfolding one. If you've had a divine experience, if you've been floating on cloud nine for days... please don't mistake that for enlightenment. Don't mistake the beginning of your path for the end.
This is where things can go sideways…where "holier than thou" beliefs and actions start creeping in. (I really am trying not to get on my soapbox here.) But please, stay humble along the journey. We are all imperfect beings, fumbling along in this thing called life, and the last thing we all need is for someone to make us feel less than as we are trying to become aware of that inner light. Because let's be honest, no one here in this human form, in this current lifetime, is perfect.
If something in this resonated with you... if you found yourself nodding along, maybe even got a little emotional, or caught yourself wanting to go deeper into your own "signs and symptoms"...
I'd love for you to join us inside our Skool community.
Because here's the thing, reading about The Path is one thing. Actually walking it, with reflection prompts and exercises to help you notice your own signs, process what's coming up, and have people beside you who get it? That's where the real shift happens.
Inside, you'll find the deeper dive into "Am I Awakening" a free guided course (coming soon) with reflections and practices to help you sit with what's surfacing, plus (hey, bonus) a grounded community of other people who are also exploring intuition, awareness, and spiritual connection right alongside you. And right now, our community is completely free to join.
No pressure to believe in anything. No pretending to have all the answers. Just a place to explore, learn, practice, and grow... together.
