What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual?

In the spiritual spotlight this week is Jo from S Club 7. When I asked Jo if she’d be happy to feature, she smiled and said, “I don’t really think of myself as spiritual.” But that’s exactly why this conversation matters—because so many people say the same thing, not realising that spirituality isn’t just about crystals, incense, or talking to Spirit.

Ask ten different people what it means to be spiritual, and you’ll likely get ten very different answers. Some may picture meditation or sacred rituals. Others might think of yoga or angel cards. But being spiritual is far deeper, more personal, and more human than most realise. It’s not a fixed definition—it’s a lived experience.

So what does it mean to be spiritual?

A Way of Being, Not Just a Belief

To be spiritual is to recognise that life holds something more than the physical and material. It’s a way of approaching the world from the inside out.

You don’t need to talk to angels, collect crystals, or practise any particular belief system. You just need to feel connected—to yourself, to others, to nature, to a deeper truth.

Spirituality begins the moment you ask questions like:

Who am I beneath the roles I play?

What truly matters to me?

What lights me up inside?

It’s about being aware, being present, and being guided by something more meaningful than just external achievements.

Listening to the Whisper Within

At its heart, spirituality is about listening—to your inner wisdom, your gut feeling, your soul. It’s not always loud. It’s often a quiet whisper. That tug in your heart when something feels off. That deep sense of knowing when something is right. That peace you feel when you sit in silence and just are.

Many of us are conditioned to ignore that voice. We’re taught to value logic over intuition, doing over being. But spirituality asks us to come home to ourselves. To remember that we are more than just our minds or bodies—we are energy, consciousness, and love.

You might find that connection in prayer, in a forest walk, in creating art, or even in washing the dishes with mindfulness. The practice doesn’t matter as much as the intention behind it.

Not All Love and Light

True spirituality isn’t about being “zen” all the time or pretending everything is perfect.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s about being real.

Being spiritual means facing your shadows. It means learning from pain, sitting with grief, and allowing emotions to surface without judgement. It’s trusting that even in your darkest moments, you are not alone. There is guidance, growth, and a bigger picture at play.

It’s also about living with integrity. Aligning your actions with your values. Being kind, not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. Taking responsibility for your energy and how it affects the world around you.

Beyond the Labels

You don’t have to call yourself a medium, healer, witch, or lightworker to be spiritual.

Titles don’t define your connection—your heart does.

Some of the most deeply spiritual people I’ve ever met are those who simply live with kindness, listen well, and make others feel seen.

It’s not about how many spiritual books you’ve read or whether you know your chakras from your star sign. It’s about how you live, not what you believe.

Connection Over Comparison

One of the gifts of spirituality is connection. When you live from a spiritual place, you realise we’re not as separate as we seem.

There’s a thread that links us all—whether you call it Spirit, Source, God, the Universe, or Love.

But in the age of social media, it’s easy to fall into comparison. To feel like your spirituality isn’t “enough” if you’re not meditating every day or living on green juice.

Remember this: your spiritual path is your own.

No one walks it quite like you do—and that’s the beauty of it.

Everyday Spirituality

So how do you live a spiritual life in a busy, modern world?

• Start small. Light a candle with intention. Speak kindly to yourself. Notice the sunrise.

• Be present. Put down your phone. Listen with your whole heart.

• Ask deeper questions. What am I learning? What needs healing? What am I grateful for today?

• Follow your joy. It’s one of the most spiritual things you can do.

• Trust your inner compass. You already have the wisdom. Sometimes you just need the quiet to hear it.

  
  

Being spiritual isn’t about escaping life—it’s about embracing it. Fully. Messily. Beautifully.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up with an open heart and a willingness to grow.

In the end, spirituality isn’t about becoming something else. It’s about remembering who you’ve always been.

And that’s the true magic.