Michelle Wollaston on Being Spiritually Woke, Emotionally Worn Out

At some point, many of us tumble headfirst into the world of spirituality. It often begins innocently enough—a crystal for heartbreak, maybe some sage or Palo Santo you’re not quite sure how to use, but it smells nice and looks sacred, so you give it a go. You wave the smoke around, half-hoping it clears the energy, half-wondering if your ancestors are judging your technique.

You light the candle. You shuffle the deck. You pull the card.

“Release what no longer serves you.”

Right. But what if what no longer serves you also shares your bed? Or funds your life?

This is the space no one talks about—the in-between.

You’re waking up spiritually, but you still feel worn out emotionally. You’ve got rituals, but not rest. You’re manifesting abundance while skipping lunch and questioning your life choices. You’ve burned the sage, but the tension in the room hasn’t shifted.

And here’s the truth: you don’t need more rituals. You need clarity.

Modern spirituality is noisy. There’s always a new tool, a new trend, a new voice telling you how to “align.” But real alignment rarely comes with glitter or an aesthetic shelf. It comes quietly. Sometimes it looks like deleting an app, setting a boundary, or finally getting honest with yourself.

Spiritual growth isn’t about collecting more tools. It’s about learning which ones actually help you come home to yourself.

So if your altar feels more like a to-do list than a place of peace, it might be time to step back and ask:

Do I feel spiritually connected… or just spiritually cluttered?
Am I following my intuition… or someone else’s curated feed?
What do I actually need today?

If you’re not sure of the answers, that’s okay. You’re not behind. You’re just between chapters. The spiritual path isn’t a checklist. It’s a conversation—with yourself.

Start there.