In some ways, today’s topic is at the outer edges of the theme of this blog. However, it addresses something I believe is a fundamental part of the human experience. If you’ve found my blog and enjoyed some of its content, then you’re probably the kind of person who will have at least some interest in spirituality. The kind of person who asks questions about their existence and whether they are on the right track in life.

The whole point of this blog is that adulthood seems to sneak up on you in the modern world. There used to be transitions and initiations that told you exactly when things were changing in your life. Once you were initiated to adulthood, you were no longer a child. It was that simple. The reason we doubt ourselves now is because this type of initiation no longer exists. Spirituality has always played a big role in initiations, and I believe it plays a role in helping you figure out what being an adult looks like in your specific case.

Regardless of age, many adults reach a turning point where they start to wonder about things like purpose, connection, and what might be considered a meaningful life.

Exploring your personality doesn’t have to mean you quit everything and go live as a hermit in the desert for a few years, or on a mountaintop monastery (although I suppose that’s an option if it’s the kind of thing you might like). Exploring spirituality can be a softer, more personal, playful, and thoroughly enriching experience. Think of it as getting to know yourself and the world around you from a different point of view.

Please remember that any other person’s idea of spirituality (including mine) is bound to be different from your own. It’s different for everybody. So pick and choose the things that make sense to you, and discard the rest.

Alright, let’s continue.

Why Explore Spirituality as an Adult?

When you’re growing up, you probably associate spirituality with the religious or cultural traditions of your family or community. As you grow up, you may find that spirituality and religion are not on the same page anymore. This is your call to revisit these ideas from a fresh perspective. It’s empowering, because you are making conscious decisions about your own spirituality, rather than just accepting someone else’s plan for your life. It means you can:

• Redefine what spirituality means to you
• Let go of beliefs that no longer fit
• Adopt new practices that support your growth
• Build a sense of meaning that feels authentic

Exploring spirituality doesn’t mean you’ll find all the answers. In fact, you may find that the more you explore, the more questions you have. The important thing is being curious enough to ask those questions.

Step 1: Start With Your Own Definition

People are often scare of the word “spirituality”. It evokes all kinds of terrifying scenarios where strangers attempt to convince you to do things you’re not really into, all in the name of saving your soul. Some of us connect this idea with the concept of religion, while others think it has more to do with mindfulness, nature, creativity, or a sense of interconnectedness.

You need to figure out what spirituality means for you.

Try asking yourself:

• What makes me feel grounded?
• What experiences make me feel connected to something bigger?
• When do I feel most like myself?

You may find your answers surprising. You may feel spiritual when you’re hiking. Maybe when you’re journalling. Or, it could be when you listen to the kind of music that gives you goosebumps. Perhaps it’s when you’re helping someone. Maybe it’s when you are sitting quietly with your morning coffee.

There’s no wrong answer. Spirituality is personal, not prescriptive.

Step 2: Reconnect With Your Inner World

Adult life is loud and chaotic. Jobs, relationships, responsibilities… Add electronic devices and you have a recipe for sensory overload. Spiritual exploration often starts with turning down the volume.

Here are a few simple ways to reconnect with yourself:

Meditation (in a way that works for you)

Meditation evokes images of Himalayan monks sitting in absolute stillness, but there are several kinds of meditation.

To begin with, meditation could be:

• A five-minute breathing exercise
• A guided meditation on YouTube
• A mindful walk where you pay attention to your senses

The idea isn’t to be perfect. It’s to calm and empty your mind, and to help you realize you are not the millions of thoughts running through your head. At its simplest and, simultaneously, most challenging, meditation is just being present and emptying your mind. Think of yourself as a stone in a river. Your thoughts are the water flowing around you. But you are not your thoughts. As you notice new thoughts appearing in your mind, don’t resist them, just observe them as they flow by and continue downstream.

Journaling

I love writing, and I’ve filled books and books with words nobody has ever read. In fact, after months or years in the back of cupboards or drawers, many of those words ended up helping to light fires. Sometimes, it’s just about getting the words out of your head and onto paper. It helps you slow your thoughts and understand them.

You can try prompts like:

• “What do I need more of in my life right now?”
• “What am I grateful for today?”
• “What beliefs about myself am I ready to release?”

Quiet moments

My morning coffee is one of my favorite quiet times. It’s easy to jump out of bed and hit the ground running in the morning because there’s too much to do and you don’t have time to think. Making time is a good exercise. Even if it’s only a few minutes.

Step 3: Explore Different Spiritual Traditions (With Curiosity, Not Pressure)

Exploring different religions or spiritual traditions doesn’t mean pick one at random and go with it.

Think of your initial approach as a tasting menu: no commitment required.

Consider trying some of these ideas:

• Read about Buddhism, Stoicism, Taoism, or Christianity, for example. If you grew up in a Christian household, for example, you may find that Christianity in its earliest stages was quite different.
• Attend a service or ceremony as a visitor.
• Explore Indigenous perspectives on nature and connection (and, like I mentioned before, initiations).
• Learn about mindfulness practices from different cultures.
• Listen to podcasts or talks from spiritual teachers.

Your approach here should be experimental and open, with no expectations. You’re not trying to pick a belief system. You’re searching for ideas that resonate.

Step 4: Connect With Something Larger Than Yourself

For many, spirituality has a lot to do with the feeling of connection (to nature, community, creativity, or even the universe). Feeling connected is a very deep human desire.

Here are a few ways to cultivate that feeling:

Spend time in nature

I love walking because it happens at a speed that allows me to take in the details. The sun. The wind. The trees. The birds. Take note of all this. Nature has a way of grounding you.

Practice gratitude

Gratitude is a simple yet powerful spiritual practice that we tend to forget very easily. It shifts your focus from what you’re lacking to just how lucky are, even when things aren’t 100% perfect.

Engage in acts of kindness

Some of the most “miraculous” things in my life have happened thanks to acts of kindness. Helping others (this could be volunteering or simply engaging in small, everyday gestures) gives you a sense of purpose and connection.

Create something

Your art, music, writing, or cooking, for example, can be a spiritual experience. And you don’t need to be a creative genius. All human being have some creativity. It’s what makes us human. Think of it as channeling some of what’s inside you into the outside world.

Step 5: Build a Personal Practice (That You Actually Enjoy)

Spiritual practice doesn’t have to be rigid or complicated. Although I personally feel that some discipline is beneficial. Mostly, it needs to support your spiritual wellbeing.

Here are some ideas:

• A morning ritual that sets your intention for the day
• A weekly “check-in” with yourself
• A gratitude journal
• A meditation or yoga routine
• A monthly nature outing
• Reading spiritual or philosophical texts
• Lighting a candle and taking a few deep breaths

Consistency is the key to making this part of your life. Five minutes a day can bring you much more transformation than an intensive retreat once a year (although the retreat might be good too).

Step 6: Embrace Not Knowing

There was a time I feverishly tore through book after book, constantly feeling I was on the verge of discovering the truth, the answer to everything, the way things really worked. With time, I found that it’s more about riding that wave than getting back to the beach as soon as possible.

Spiritual search and our experience on this earth are more about finding out what you’re capable of here and now, and finding meaning in this experience.

You might explore:

• What does purpose mean to me?
• What kind of person do I want to become?
• How do I want to show up in the world?

Let these questions guide you rather than pressure you.

Step 7: Seek Community (If You Want To)

Some people explore spirituality privately. Others thrive in community. Both options are valid, although they offer very different experiences.

If you’re craving connection, you might look for:

• Meditation groups
• Book clubs focused on spirituality or philosophy
• Yoga studios
• Local spiritual centers
• Online communities
• Workshops or retreats

Community can offer support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging—but it’s optional. Your spiritual path is yours alone.

Step 8: Allow Your Spirituality to Evolve

One of the great parts about accepting spirituality as a process, as more questions than answers, is that it leaves you room to grow. You’re not the same person you were yesterday, and you’ll be a different person tomorrow. Your own spirituality can, and should, grow with you.

You should be totally OK with:

• Changing your mind
• Trying new practices
• Letting go of what no longer resonates
• Embracing new ideas
• Evolving.

Spirituality is about being authentic.

Further Reading and Exploration

In the spirit of pretty much everything I’ve said so far, here are some good places to start your search:

• “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – A modern classic on presence and consciousness.
• “The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu – A warm, uplifting exploration of joy and compassion.
• “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl – A profound look at purpose and resilience.
• The Greater Good Science Center (UC Berkeley) – Research-based articles on mindfulness, compassion, and well-being.
• On Being Project – Conversations about spirituality, humanity, and meaning.
• Tricycle Magazine – Accessible Buddhist teachings and reflections.
• Derrick Knight’s YouTube channel discusses spiritual matters from a Christian perspective. Even if you are not Christian, his approach is open and gives you plenty of food for thought.

All these are just starting points. Part of the fun is trying different things, so follow whatever sparks your curiosity and, above all, keep an open mind.

Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Explore

Maybe you weren’t aware, but you are already on the path. Your journey began long ago.

As an adult, exploring spirituality isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about staying open to growth, meaning, and connection, in a world that feels rushed, overwhelming, and often cynical.

Don’t worry about being perfect. Don’t worry about where the journey leads. Just enjoy the process and keep taking the next step.