Riding the Delulu Wave Without Losing Your Mind
Keeping It Together When The Universe Flips the Script
So, you’ve had your first spiritual awakening—congrats! Welcome to the club where everything you thought you knew gets thrown out the window, and the existential crisis comes free of charge. But hey, you’re not alone! Since the pandemic, humanity has been going through what we might call a “collective spiritual awakening”—one global WTF moment after another.
But let’s pause for a second: What even is a spiritual awakening? And why does it sometimes feel like a psychedelic rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for? Fear not, because we’re about to dive into what’s real, what’s delulu, and how to spot when you’ve started unpacking in La La Land.
What is a Spiritual Awakening?
In short, a spiritual awakening is like putting on a pair of glasses and realizing you’ve been blind your whole life. You begin to see beyond the usual ego-driven hustle of daily existence. Suddenly, the bigger picture hits you: maybe the point of life isn’t just a 9-5 grind and posting photos of avocado toast. Maybe it’s about inner peace, purpose, and recognizing why you keep coming up against the same annoying pattern throughout your life.
Cue the awakening! You start questioning everything—your job, your relationships, your sense of self and whether you should pack your bags and live your life meditating on a mountain somewhere. But before you quit your job and delete your bank account, let's talk balance.
Spiritual Awakening vs. Religious Experience: What's the Difference?
It’s easy to confuse spirituality with religion, but they’re not the same. Religion usually involves an organized set of beliefs, rituals, and community practices focused on a specific deity or worldview. It’s more structured, with clear guidelines on morality, worship, and the afterlife.
Spirituality, on the other hand, is more personal. It’s about exploring your connection to the planet, nature, the universe — wanting a deeper understanding of the meaning of life your life, and elevating your consciousness. Spiritual awakenings are often individual journeys where you peel back the layers of reality, without necessarily following the rules of any organized religion.
In a nutshell: religion is about faith and worship, while spirituality is more about personal transformation and inner discovery.
Am I Awake or Just Losing It?
Here’s where things get tricky. The line between awakening and losing touch with reality can be blurry at times. Especially when real life is real intense. It’s like the connection between the event/persona reaches your understanding as to why quicker than usual. This can suddenly bring about emotional or mental distress. When spiritual breakthroughs start feeling more like breakdowns, it’s important to recognize the signs. We are met to breakthrough.
Awakening vs. Psychosis: Know the Difference
Disclaimer - I am not a medical professional. While spiritual awakenings can feel intense, they shouldn’t make you feel lost, paranoid, or completely detached from reality. Let’s break it down:
Psychosis is a medical condition that distorts the way your brain processes information. Those who have experienced may feel disorganized in thinking or speech and an upheaval of delusions or hallucinations causing distress and disturbance.
Spiritual awakenings, on the other hand, involve expanded awareness and a profound sense of connection to yourself and the universe. While they can be disorienting, awakenings lead to personal growth and clarity—not confusion or terror.
When it’s Time to Seek Professional Help
If your experience is blurring the line between awakening and a potential mental health crisis, it’s essential to seek help. Mental health professionals can help you navigate this, whether you’re experiencing a true awakening or a mental health condition. Don’t hesitate to reach out—there’s no shame in seeking help if things feel overwhelming.
Hotlines for Immediate Help
If you or someone you know is struggling, here are resources for immediate support:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (USA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Crisis Text Line (USA & Canada): Text HOME to 741741
Mind Infoline (UK): 0300 123 3393
Beyond Blue (Australia): 1300 22 4636
Wherever you are, there are similar local hotlines and professionals ready to help.
The Collective Awakening: Welcome to the New World
In case you missed it, we’re all in this together. Since the pandemic, the world has shifted in ways that would make even a seasoned astrologer gasp. We’re going through massive spiritual and societal change—on a global level. From medical systems to governments to corporate structures, everything’s in flux. Why? Because our old systems aren’t working anymore. The planet (and the cosmos) are calling for evolution.
One Consciousness Moment: Here’s the thing—we’re all sharing this experience. Think of the pandemic as the ultimate collective wake-up call, shaking up everyone’s reality. It’s not just you who’s feeling the shifts; it’s everyone.
Historical Parallels:
Feeling like this is all a bit much? You’re not wrong. But guess what? History shows us we’ve been here before. Spiritual awakenings have often coincided with major societal shifts. A few key moments in history:
The Renaissance: After the Black Death wiped out a third of Europe (hello, trauma), people entered a massive spiritual and intellectual awakening. Art, science, and the divine all got a facelift. Sound familiar? This was a rebirth of culture and consciousness.
The 1960s Counterculture: Remember when people were dropping LSD, rejecting capitalism, and embracing Eastern philosophies? That period of spiritual exploration (and rebellion) was a direct reaction to the rigidity of the 1950s. Society was desperate for change, and boom—awakening.
Check out my podcast episode where I make some historical parallels within astrology.
Mastering the Art of Spiritual Growth Without Going Full Cosmic Chaos
Alright, so now that you know you’re not losing your mind (phew), how do you stay grounded while your belief systems get a total makeover?
Grounding Techniques: Let’s keep it simple. Meditate, walk barefoot in nature, breathe deeply—rinse and repeat. These grounding practices tether you back to reality while you sift through your newfound awareness. Your third eye might be wide open, but don’t forget you’ve got two feet on the ground.
Therapy & Support: Look, spirituality is deep, but don’t discount good old-fashioned therapy. Having a professional to help you navigate these shifts can be a game-changer. Especially when things get too woo-woo, it’s good to have someone with their feet firmly planted in the “real” world.
Discernment: Not every spiritual message is a divine download from the universe. Sometimes, it’s just your ego dressed in sparkly robes. Learn to tell the difference between your higher self and your fearful self trying to escape reality.
The Importance of Social Interaction & Community: While deep inner work can feel exhausting, and you might want to cocoon away from the world, remember that we’re wired for connection. Take a short walk to a coffee shop, say hello to a stranger, or interact with your surroundings. These little moments of engagement with the world can ground you in the present and lift your spirits more than you realize. We’re here to be in community, after all, and those small gestures can provide the boost you didn’t even know you needed!
The Inner Work: No One's Gonna Do it For You
Here’s the hard truth: No matter how much the world evolves or how many collective awakenings we go through, the real work happens inside you. You have to show up for yourself, do the inner healing, and transform your own life.
The Ego’s Role: Your ego is a tricky beast. It resists change, but its primary job is to keep you alive, so give it some credit for that. The key is knowing when it's getting too inflated (or deflated) in certain situations. That’s when you remind yourself—you are not your ego. As I mentioned in my post about social media's impact, the ego loves to take the wheel. But in spiritual growth, the higher self belongs in the driver’s seat. In a world that thrives on conflict, your ego will want to fight, but real growth asks for peace, healing, and balance. The question is: Can you choose inner peace in a world that seems to go to war every five minutes?
Shadow Work: Let’s be real—we all have baggage. But if you want to truly awaken, you’ve got to unpack that baggage, sort through it, and release what no longer serves you. That’s where real freedom is found. The courage to face your inner truths now will lighten your load in the long run, allowing you to let go of the past and navigate the present with clarity. Shadow work is essential; it’s where life lessons are waiting to be transformed. By bringing your darkness to light, you grow closer to your true self and your ethical standards. Is that what the Ancient Egyptians meant by weighing your heart at the end of your life to determine your afterlife fate? 🤔 Those who consciously embark on shadow work become the guides for others, having already embraced their mission to heal and evolve.
The Ultimate Truth: Awakening Starts Where You Stand
So here we are—on the brink of a collective and personal spiritual revolution. Navigating this era of awakening is no small feat, but it’s also the adventure of a lifetime. Will you choose healing, balance, and peace? Or let the ego drag you back into the trenches? The choice is yours, but remember: spiritual growth starts within. It’s time to claim your power and ride the wave of awakening and keep your feet on the ground while you’re at it. 🌱
Until Next Time.
Keep that vibe high and your feet on the ground,
Caitlainne